Investment buys - sale-style

I've been doing a lot of sale shopping of late. The end of the sales is my favourite bit - when the mark-downs are stellar and that amazing piece you missed first time around may just been returned if you look long and hard (and often) enough. And coming up to Autumn there are a lot of great things to be bought, if you've got the patience to sift through the dregs.

I'm trying hard to focus on buying fewer, better things at the moment. It's not going brilliantly, but if it was, here's what I'd buy with what I'd save from the fritter-less strategy.

I'm boot obsessed and I've wanted these for AGES. The problem is, they're never, ever marked down. But this year they are. And big sizes are the winners this time as they seem to be all that's left. I already own the Lowland version of these (bought on eBay as I couldn't bring myself to spend the £600+) and they're really, really good. Big feet and skinny legs does not make a great combination for boot buying if you're not into the welly look but these are absolutely perfect and fit like a glove. The fact they're go-with-anything-grey is the icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned.

Stuart Weitzman Highstreet boots

Velvet was everywhere last winter and it's going nowhere this coming season. So this coat from Shrimps at Matches Fashion is a brilliant, brilliant investment buy. I'm so in love with this it's as much as I can do not to throw caution to the wind and deploy the credit card right now.

Shrimps Marie velvet and faux fur coat

It pains me to think that this next investment purchase doesn't need to be stashed until Autumn, given the weather at the moment. Yes, it's a jumper. I'm never 100% sure about slogan tees and jumpers - they've got to be just right and luckily this Bella Freud beauty is perfect. It's also less than half price at Morgan Clare and the fact it's got a bit of sparkle in it will take you from the last days of summer through to New Year's in one chic swoop. 

Bella Freud Good Times sweater

I would by lying if I said this wasn't already saved in my basket. Once again something I've wanted for ages (says the person that lives nowhere near the country, doesn't own a dog and doesn't enjoy outdoor pursuits...) and rarely seen at a discount (even on eBay these seem to sell for silly money). It's Barbour so it's a safely classic bet. This particular jacket describes itself as a 'summer' jacket but I think you could wear it all year round. It's from Collen and Clare - a complete gem of a boutique which I discovered on an obsessive hunt for a Rixo Rose dress which I found at a bargain price and then returned (I'm still kicking myself...). It's on the site in grey as well as the navy and it's a fantastic buy at £69.50. Decisions...

Barbour cropped jacket at Collen and Clare

And because an investment wardrobe wouldn't be complete without some bottoms, here are some amazing MIH jeans - also from Collen and Clare and a steal at £90 from £229. I love the way these look on other people - still not convinced about how they look on me but I'm definitely working up to it... 

M.I.H Caron cropped wide leg jeans

Finally, if you're in the market for a great bag, look no further than this one from Penelope Chilvers. It's in the sale at £99, down from £299 and it's a classic investment buy. 

Penelope Chilvers Mandolin leather bag

Happy end-of-sale shopping!