Fashion: On the street - Bags of dedication

Shopping is a serious business. Amy Jones observes the different approaches to bargain hunting at the January sales

Amy Jones
Saturday 23 January 1999 00:02 GMT
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Amelia Staples, 21, student at London College of Fashion, wears coat from French Connection, jumper from Next, trousers from Gap, trainers from Nike and bag from Kookai. In the bags: trousers from Top Shop, stationery from Paperchase.

"I got pounds 150 for Christmas from my relatives so I want to buy some clothes. Today I've been to Paperchase and Top Shop and now I'm off to the Selfridges Spirit department. I'm not an organised sale shopper but if I see something I like I must have it, even if it's not in the sale. Today I also want to buy a casual jumper for college and some strappy shoes for going clubbing."

Miguel Kline, 25, history student at City and Islington College, London, wears glasses from 20/20 Optical Vision, sweatshirt from Calvin Klein Jeans, green combat trousers from Army and Navy store, boots from Next. In the bag: shirt from Ralph Lauren.

"I've got an essay to write, and a credit card in my pocket so I thought I'd go shopping to ease my mind. It's like therapy. I think sale shopping is an all-day activity. First go to a shop you like, look around, buy, then have a pint and go on to the next shop and so on. I went to Ralph Lauren and bought a shirt; it was pounds 55 reduced from pounds 80. I think I'll go to Cecil Gee next but first I'm off for a pint."

Margaret McAuley, 50, widow, wears sunglasses from John Lewis, coat and grey cord skirt from C&A, mustard top from a shop in Wood Green and boots from Barrats. In the bags: trousers from Selfridges.

"I feel like I haven't stopped shopping since Christmas. I love to find a bargain. I can't wait to visit the Harrods sale. I think I have everything I need so now I'm just looking for extras. So far I have bought a coat, slippers, two dresses from Oasis and some shoes. Today I have bought some trousers for my son. I am also searching for some sparkly, shiny blusher but the shops just don't seem to stock any so I'm a bit disappointed."

Becky Thomas, 24, shop assistant, wears hat from Liberty, scarf from Accessorize, coat from Dorothy Perkins, rucksack from Muji, skirt from Hennes and shoes from Office. In the bags: handbag from Osprey, trousers from Liberty.

"I work in three different shops so I can cover a lot of sale ground. I saw these trousers with a skirt attached which I loved, by Shirin Guild, in Liberty. They were pounds 400 so I waited for the sale and bought them for pounds 175 but I still felt guilty. I window-shop a lot so, if I see anything I like, I look out for it in the sales. I don't save money especially for the sales but if I have any, I can't resist a bargain and often give in to temptation."

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