(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) In case you thought the season indulge is over, think again, as the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) just started yesterday and goes on for a full month. You can truly start 2016 in style thanks to the DSF. Of course, we all know that things have been a bit slow for retail recently, but that means the sales will be bigger and better than ever. It really is the month to splurge. If you had been to the malls last week, you would have noticed that many stores have already started a "Part-Sale" with reducations of around 30 per cent. Which means once the full sale starts, the price tags will just become lower.
Of course, the sale period started in London on Boxing Day, December 26, that is a week earlier than in Dubai. And if London is an indication of what to expect, this is going to be a sale you will not want to miss. Eponymous London Department store, Selfridges, recorded its most profitable hour ever on the first day of their sale. The Oxford Street store clocked in sales of £2 million on Boxing Day. Of course, the reason for that was there were serious discounting done, for example an Oscar de la Renta dress was reduced in price form £14,470 to £2,995. So don't think you cannot afford designer; this shopping season look out for those clothes, bags and shoes you thought you would never be able to buy.
New Year, new closet
Of course, there is an art to sale shopping. And it actually begins with understanding your own shopping style. Do not go to the DSF without doing your prep work, any smart shopper knows you need to do your "homework" before you shop. So start this weekend of the first year with a closet cleanse. January is all about new starts, clean slates and fresh beginnings. I always start the year with a closet cleanse. The first year I did one, it seemed like a chore. Now it is something I look forward to as I have seen and understood the importance of the closet cleanse. And I never go on sale shopping until I have done a proper closet cleanse. This process will insure that you spend your money wisely. Often I will find some new finds, an outfit I forgot about, or I will find a few fashion disaster, and wonder why did I buy this piece? It is important to acknowledge these shopping faux pas, as you will learn what not to buy, and often you only learn when you make that mistake. As a general rule, if you have not worn something in the last two years, reexamine the reason why is it still in your closet. Of course, if it is a piece with heirloom potential it must stay. If it is a separate, and the reason it is unworn is that there is nothing else in the cupboard that matches it, take a picture of it on your phone. With the DSF in full swing, you can look out for something that will work with it. As a rule, a separate is only a good investment if you can mix and match it with at least three more pieces in your closet.
Once these pieces have been left, you should be left with your core wardrobe, the pieces you wear most regularly. Reacquaint yourself with your closet and you will resist hat urge to over shop and only buy pieces you need. You will probably find a few pieces need fixing, put them in a pile together and have they mended immediately. Accessories often need more attention that clothing items so take a good look at all your shoes and handbags.
Don't feel that the pieces you no longer want are a waste. Old clothes that are good condition can be donated to a charity. There will always be someone else who will appreciate your cast-offs. Or if you have a piece you feel would work well on a close friend, offer to her. I have a few friends I often do fashion swaps with - it is a great way to extend your wardobe. A closet cleanse can be as rewarding as a day at the mall, as we all tend to forget what treasures we actually own. And while it is ideal to do such a closet cleanse at the start of every fashion seasons (so that is once in six months), the fact is most of us will forget.
Know your fashion
Once you have done your closet close, the first part of your sale shopping homework done. Next get to know what the style agenda is for 2016. Though I never like to follow trends, do not buy styles that will seem dated. Fast fashion has really killed the trend cycle. Its quick sell by dates has made keeping up with trends impossible. So before the sale shopping, read all the January issues of the fashion magazines - they will tell you what the look of 2016 is. Look at the Spring/Summer shows of your favourite designers, and see what you like the look of. Of course, Spring/Summer collections will not be on sale, but you may find pieces from Fall/Winter collections that have the same feel. These will be the pieces to shop. Don't let tempting reductions seduce into buying pieces that don't work for your personal style. A closet cleanse and research before the DSF will ensure that you make some real style buys this season and ensure that 2016 is truly your most fashion forward year.
DSF 2016
Fireworks, concerts, raffles and street runway shows add a real feel of celebration to the Dubai Shopping Festival. The festival turns 21 this year and there is so much more to the DSF than shopping. Here are a few of the highlights:
BEAUTY BONANZA at The Dubai Mall, FASHION CATWALK from January 2 to 8
Start the year with a new look. A beauty district will be purpose-designed for one week. Leading beauty brands will hold workshops, and after you have tried all the products on display, you can take a picture of yourself on the 360 Degree Glam Cam and immediately take a decision on your new look.
FASHION CATWALKS at various locations throughout the month
Indulge in fashion, without buying. Look out for some really innovative ramp shows during the DSF. Shows will be staged at Mall of the Emirates and look out for street runways in Al Fahidi, Burj Plaza, Meena Bazaar. The Dubai Ice Rink will present "Fashion on Ice" on January 17 and look out for fashion flash mobs at Ibn Battuta And Dubai Festival City Mall.
Record breaking perfume sampling
MAF Malls and Dubai Airport, January 26 to February 1
On the first day of this event, the DSF hopes to break the world record for perfume sampling. On offer will be Dh1 million worth of perfume sampling and 200 assistants will be on hand to help you sample fine fragrances from all around the world. This will be a week of complete celebration of the perfumery industry. And perfume will be a focus of several events during the festival.
(Follow Dubai Shopping Festival on Instagram and Twitter on @DSFSOCIAL for more updates)
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