Sale Stalker: Selfridges the morning after

Olly olly oxen it's almost free!!!!!!!!!

Dangerous tidings from the front line at the Selfridges Boxing Day Sale bonanza yesterday. Discounts ran deep, and tourists ran for the accessories, leaving the field wide open for some proper colonization of the two womenswear floors. Let the carnage begin.

Allegedly the most successful sale in Selfridges' history, yesterday, by 11am, the retail giant had beat its own record million-pound hour from last year by surpassing that sum two hours faster. Sale-enthusiasts began stalking the sidewalks outside from 2am Boxing Day morning--that's when you know you're December 25th was something of a let down. According to the retailer, over fifteen thousand customers had graced their Oxford street doors within 60 minutes of their opening. Roped and poled queues were organised for nearly all major brands within the ladies accessories department (Prada, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana) to contain the crowds. Waiting time in those queues reached up to two hours yesterday morning.

By the time I got there, the damage had been done on the accessories front. A barren wasteland, like a battlefield after an epic struggle, only a few bleeding stragglers remained standing on the field (or slumped on the shelf) and still, they queued and queued. It was an accessories rapeage unlike any I've seen before. Evidently, the recession-wary consumer is still buying into the idea of accessories as safe investment. Well, in my expert opinion, while that is certainly true, when everyone goes North, the savvy sale stalker heads South. That is to say, whilst the rest of the 15,000 bargain hunters were busy sniffing out whatever accessories they could, mind you, totes and wallets only marked down at max 50%, yours truly snuck upstairs to the ready to wear, where I found McQueen at 80% off and Current/Elliott jeans for practically free. I nearly had an Alexander Wang heart attack when I discovered the darling's label slashed to affordable prices, his T range almost on par with American Apparel.

What the bag-grubbing crowd didn't seem to understand about investment shopping is this. While traditionally bags and shoes and the like are better ways to dip into a brand as you can use it every day bla bla bla and so on. HOWEVER, since Lehman crashed and burned, designers have had two go arounds at design, and have tapered their looks accordingly. That is to say, no longer so trend-driven, designers are turning back to craftsmanship, minute attention to detail, cut, fit and all the other quality-driven aspects of high fashion which do in fact make it high. Therefore, rather than splashing out £500 on yet another incarnation of the it-bag long since gone, don't be afraid to set foot in the most expensive museum-esque recesses of designerwear this sale season. Basic, classic, eternally wearable pieces (say, a Balenciaga black dress) for a fraction of price of that Chloe Padlock revisit that you've been queuing for hours for. So go on, take a gander. High fashion doesn't bite when marked down properly. I promise.

McQueen leggings £178 down from £355

Asymmetrical grey Margiela jumper £200 down from £335

Waxed denim McQueen black biker trousers £114 down from £455

Proof positive

Malene Birger sequined blue trousers £35 down from £150

Butters in bag...PRICELESS

Alexander Wang cage dress £323 down from £645

Alexander Wang black draped mini skirt £200 down from £425

Whistles fringe top with zip back detail £65 down from £135

Alexander Wang brushed wool and leather waistcoat £307 down from £615

look at that leather collar detail...amazing

T by Alexander Wang £40 down from £75

Current/Elliott boyfriend tattered jeans £75 down from £266