Sale tips from the experts

Tulia Wilson says don't be rash, be astute at the sales. Picture / Peter Meecham

Tulia Wilson, Zambesi

What has been your best sale buy?

A pair of Balenciaga boots. Boots are the best thing I ever buy on sale - I'm kind of addicted to them. I tried to buy them in the UK for1100 ($2800), but I ended up getting them in Sydney for less than a quarter of that - a bargain by comparative standards. When I was in Paris I bought a pair of Helmut Lang boots for 150 ($255).

Advice

Buy it because you love it, not just because it's on sale. There's a compulsion on people's part to find something - they think they should because it's on sale. But sometimes those rash purchases aren't necessarily your favourite things. Be astute about it.

Francis Hooper, World

What has been your best sale buy?

I got myself an Issey Miyake waistcoat, which was $5000, reduced to $100 in Hong Kong. I look like a pineapple on acid in it - the last person who saw me in it was Judith Tizard, the Minister of Culture and she exclaimed "Oh my God, you're incredible!" It's yellow, orange, green, white, black, blue. Because it was so freaky and bizarre I was the only person in the whole world to buy it, so I got it for $100. It's just wonderful to get a bargain!

Advice

Regardless of sale or not, only buy it if you love it - that's my only advice. If it's $1, or $10,000, only buy it if at that moment your life depends on it. I always believe it's capturing the moment, and that's what's exciting about fashion - you capture the moment, you spend the money and you own it.

Mala Brakjovic

What has been your best sale buy?

A pair of Marc Jacobs hi-tops for $175, down from $498 at Workshop last year. I don't do too much sale shopping - I usually buy vintage, wear my own things or clothes I bought from Karen Walker when I worked there. Before those shoes the last thing I bought on sale would have been about six years ago in London.

Advice

I bought those hi-tops half a size too small because that was all that was left and I really wanted them. I wore them once and then gave them away to my cousin. So don't get the wrong size just because they're cheaper.

Chris Cherry, Workshop

What has been your best sale buy?

It would have to be a Yohji Yamamoto jacket, which I got for 90 per cent off at the sample sales after a show in Tokyo, way back in the 80s. I've still got it, it doesn't fit me any more, but it's without doubt the best thing I ever bought.

Advice

My advice about buying on sale is don't. Buy at the beginning of the season and get exactly what you want, otherwise make sure you get on your favourite store's email list and if you're a good customer they'll let you know before the sale is on.

Kristine Crabb, Miss Crabb

What has been your best sale buy?

The best thing I have bought has been from Marilyn Sainty, at her seconds store. It's always on sale and there are some amazing prices there.

Advice

Don't buy anything just because it's a good deal. Make sure it's going to last and looks really hot on you.