I find items such as designer clothing have the best reductions after Christmas and into the new year as stores look to get rid of autumn/winter stock, so you can find bargains on brands such as Firetrap, Police 883, Diesel, Voi and Franklin & Marshall to name but a few. The best items to look for are those which you need, because it isn’t a good deal if you don’t actually need what you are buying, which is why sale time is my favourite time to buy items such as jeans, shirts and jumpers. Look for items which are not too fashion forward, basics are the best so next year you don’t look like your wearing last season’s clothes.

If you are a bit of a label hound then checking out outlet stores to see their bargains is a good idea, outlets normally have the best prices but at sale time there is normally a lot more off which means you can pick up your favourite labels from places like Designerwear at a fraction of the original cost.

Whatever you buy make sure you get the best deal this sale time and if you find you have too many clothes why not be charitable and pop them into clothing banks.

David Beckham has also announced the planned launch of his new fragrance, David Beckham Homme, in September. Not a stranger to the fragrance industry, David has already released a large range of scents with his wife Victoria Beckham, who is also a top designer in the industry. It is said that the new fragrance gets back to the roots of the brand, and enhances David’s image as an athlete.

With their universal presence in all aspects of the fashion market, there is much speculation about which area of fashion the Beckhams’ will dominate next – with the recent birth of their baby daughter Harper Seven, perhaps their industry could even stretch to baby clothing!

The internet is the obvious place to begin the search.  Care should be taken as it is very easy to be taken in by those who are selling counterfeit goods and ultimately buying a poor copy of the handbag, sunglasses or other items that you desire would just be a waste of money.  Ensure that the seller that you are buying from is an authorised vendor in order to ensure that you purchase a genuine item.

When you find the authorised vendor you should regularly check their websites to find out when they hold their sales.  Sale items can go for as little as 25% of the original retail price and it would be a shame to miss such a bargain.

In addition to authorised vendors, searching an auction site such as eBay can also pay off.  Thousands of designer items change hands each week via such sites.  Again, you need to be sure that the item that you are buying is genuine and if you are prepared to buy an item that has been used before you can obtain a real bargain.  Most sellers will not sell items that are in poor condition, so this is a cheap and easy way of adding good quality items to your wardrobe.

Plus looking at celebrities is a really great way to keep up with the latest trends. Designers a notorious for giving the rich and famous access to their latest designs and sometimes for those lucky people also free clothing. (I know they are rich yet they get free stuff, how unfair is that) So you can see firsthand the new trends, plus up and coming designers as well.

Armed with all this knowledge you can then set out on the highstreet to recreate these looks for less, or scour the internet to try and bag yourself a bargain of celeb style. Many highstreet retailers offer their own takes on designer classic at a much, much lower price, especially funky accessories, so check these out.  You can also see where many stores get their inspiration from with their own take on the popular pieces from the catwalks and they also pick out the best styles that will be hot for summer, such as sheer materials and big bold patterns. So if you have an eagle eye of designer catwalks you will be able to spot the highstreet versions a mile off.

Today, social media has had a tremendous impact on the fashion industry in several ways.  The industry itself has latched onto Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms as a marketing tool in brand perception and reigniting interest in a particular designer or fashion house.

However, perhaps the biggest element of social media revolution is the solid feedback of the public who can go viral with a particular look, blog a review or seek out bargains on the Internet of famous name brand clothing that was previously unobtainable.

Fashion critics have sprung up all over the Web, and some have become quite famous in their own right, earning industry recognition.  Thousands of critics hit the blogosphere everyday and they are affecting everything from brand recognition to print publishing.

Nevertheless, some fashion experts, designers and manufacturers are not waiting for the public to find them.  They have created a community niche for themselves and are getting cosy in social networks, forums, blogs, and wikis.  It is to their advantage to establish a rapport with their buying public.  With the advent of the mobile app, the fashion industry is as close as your phone with photos of runway shows, up-to-the-minute fashion news and shopping from a hand-held device.

There are some vintage and reproduction outlets that sell retro clothes online.  Full skirts and dresses from the 1950s and 60s are very popular.  However, a retro retailer will offer a fuller range of sizes than a true vintage outlet as real vintage clothes are harder to come by and stock is likely to be limited.  Searching a few auction sites may turn up real vintage items in plus sizes, but they are hard to find and you will need to be patient. 

If you prefer ‘goth’ fashion there are several retailers who stock items of clothing in plus sizes.  It may be that those that make and design their own ranges will make clothes to measure for you if you provide your detailed measurements.  These are not cheap to buy, but as one off pieces they may be worth the investment if it is truly something that you will wear often.

The polo shirt is always very popular and comes in every colour imaginable.  They can be worn with smart trousers and a jacket for a smart/casual look, or simply with jeans for dressing down.  Most designer labels for men will have a polo shirt in their clothes range, but they can also be purchased very cheaply if required.  For some men the logo is important, but if not then it is a good idea to opt for a cheaper brand. 

A well cut suit is a must have for any man’s wardrobe and if you cannot stretch to a designer label or a tailor made suit then opting for ready to wear is not a bad thing.  There are many different retailers who can offer a quality suit for all occasions, and even if you do not need to wear one on a regular basis, it is a good idea to keep one to wear to weddings and other events.

Summer clothes in trend at the moment include sandals, Bermuda shorts and brightly coloured shirts and t-shirts.  These are ideal for holidays but are casual wear, so should be kept for the beach rather than nights out.  For an evening look casual trousers which can be dressed up, such as Chinos, can be worn.

Of course, even designer accessories can prove to be expensive, which is where the Internet becomes very useful. There are a number of online retailers offering designer items at a reduced price, although shopping around is recommended, as some will offer a better deal than others. 

Some designers provide a list of approved retailers that you can check to ensure that you are buying the genuine item rather than a copy. It is always a good idea to buy from an established retailer, as this is the only way you can ensure that you will receive good customer service as well as having the assurance of buying from a secure shopping site. You are also much less likely to be sold a fake.

Purchasing such items from an Internet auction site is another option. It is often better to buy second-hand, as you will be able to find them cheaper and they are usually in very good condition. It is also important to double check what you are buying and get as much information in advance as possible in order to ensure that you really are getting a bargain. Some fake items do make their way onto these sites so buyers need to be wary.