Sales guide: And now it's time to buy yourself a present

Today sees the start of the sale season, reckoned by many to offer the best bargains for years. Our fashion writer Melanie Rickey selects some of the best.

Designer and boutiques

A La Mode, 36 Hans Crescent, London SW1. Sale from tomorrow to 10 Jan with 50-80 per cent off Missoni, Mani, Martine Sitbon, Colette Dinnigan and Matthew Williamson. Mani black leather coat was pounds 1,560, now pounds 750, Matthew Williamson embroidered ruffle dress was pounds 499, now pounds 225.

Aquascutum, 100 Regent St, London W1, 0800-282-922. Winter sale now on until 31 Jan with discounts on womenswear, menswear and accessories. Men's suits from pounds 425 to pounds 295, women's 100 per cent wool jacket, was pounds 350 now pounds 225.

Brother to Brother, 202 West Street, Sheffield, 0114 2754 296. Sale begins tomorrow with 30-50 per cent off menswear labels including Dirk Bikkembergs, Helmut Lang Jeans and mainline, Evisu Jeans, Copperwheat Blundell, 6876 and Griffin.

Browns, 23-27 South Molton St, London W1, 0171 491 7833. Sale begins 3 Jan, reductions up to 50 per cent on labels including Jil Sander, Gaultier, Tocca, Demeulemeester & Lucien Pellat-Finet.

Browns Focus, 38-39 South Molton St, London W1, 0171 629 0666. Sale begins 3 Jan, reductions up to 40 per cent on labels including Stella McCartney, Maharishi, Evisu, & Helmut Lang Jeans.

Butler & Wilson, 20 South Molton Street, London W1. Sale starts tomorrow, up to 50 per cent on selected items including mock jet brooches and necklaces. Not in Fulham Road branch.

Carter, 11 Upper Queen Street, Belfast, 01232 243 412. Women's section sale begins tomorrow, men's section sale begins 1 Jan, good discounts on labels including Joop, Armani and Donna Karan.

Comme des Garcons, 59 Brook St, London W1, 0171 493 1258. Sale now on, reductions up to 40 per cent on current stock.

Cruise Flannels, Birmingham (0121 633 4154), Nottingham (01159 476 466) and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, ( 0191 261 0510). Sale starts tomorrow with 30- 50 per cent off labels including Joseph, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and Henri Lloyd.

Dolce & Gabbana, 175 Sloane Street, London SW1. Sale begins tomorrow with 40 per cent off current stock. Best buys include pale blue coat dress with appliqued flower detail.

Dexter Wong, 17 Monmouth St, London WC2, 0171-284-0752. Sale begins 2 Jan with 20 per cent off womenwear, menswear and accessories.

DKNY, 27 Old Bond Street, London W1. Sale begins tomorrow with reductions starting at 20 per cent on current stock.

Donna Karan, 19, New Bond St, London W1, 0171-495-3100. Sale begins tomorrow with reductions starting at 20 per cent on current stock.

Emporio Armani, 191 Brompton Road, London, 0171 823 8818. Sale begins tomorrow with up to 30 per cent off current stock.

Flannels, Altrincham, Leeds and Manchester, enqs: 0161 237 9945. Sale starts tomorrow with 20-50 per cent discounts on men's and women's designer labels including Thierry Mugler, Jil Sander, Gucci, D&G and Armani.

Georgina von Etzdorf, 50 Burlington Arcade, London W1. Customers' preview 2-3 Jan, then from 4 Jan 30-40 per cent off stock. Best buys include velvet devore scarves down from pounds 180 to pounds 99, velvet boucle jacket down from pounds 825 to pounds 495.

Ghost, 13-14 Hinde St, London W1 and 36 Ledbury Road, London W1. Sale begins 29 Dec with 30 per cent and more off current stock. Best buys include satin sheath dress down from pounds 145 to pounds 99.

Giorgio Armani, 37 Sloane Street, London SW1, sale begins tomorrow with discounts on all stock.

Giulio, 26-32 King Street, Cambridge, CB1, 01223 316 100. Sale begins 3 Jan with 25-50 per cent off men's and women's designer wear including Hamnett, Helmut Lang and Costume Homme.

Gina Shoes, 189 Sloane St, London SW2, 0171 235 2932. Sale began on 20 Dec with reductions on shoes such as snakeskin strap high-heels from pounds 225 to pounds 139 and stretch pointy-toed knee-high boots from pounds 450 to pounds 295.

Gucci, 33 Old Bond Street, London W1 and 18 Sloane Street, SW1, sale begins on 1 Jan.

Hermes, 155 New Bond St, London W1 and 179 Sloane St, SW1. Sale begins 3 Jan until 10 Jan with 40 per cent off spring/summer 97 stock and 60 per cent off autumn/winter 96 stock, reductions apply to ready-to-wear and ladies shoes only.

Issey Miyake, 270 Brompton Rd, London SW3, 0171-581-3760. Sale starts tomorrow with 30 per cent reductions on autumn/winter stock. Purple prism dress, was pounds 1,900, now pounds 1,330.

Jones, 15 Floral Street (designer) and 13 Floral Street (streety), London 0171 240 8312. Sale begins 2 Jan, discounts start at 30 per cent, best buys include mens D&G suit from pounds 455 to pounds 318 and Bikkembergs hooded jacket from pounds 345 to pounds 240.

Joseph, 77 Fulham Rd, London SW3, 26 Sloane St, SW1, 23 Old Bond St, W1. Sale begins tomorrow with 30 per cent off Joseph own label and designer labels. Best buys include winter coats and leather pieces.

Joseph Azagury, 73 Knightsbridge, London SW3, 0171-259-6887. Sale begins 7 Jan with up to 40 per cent off selected autumn/winter styles such as high-heel, platform ankle boots reduced from pounds 260 to pounds 130.

Kit Mens and Womenswear, 12 Silver Walk, St Martins Sq, Leicester, 0116 2529 605. Sale begins 3 Jan with 30-50 per cent off Dexter Wong, D Squared, Exte, W&LT and Versus.

Koh Samui, 65 Monmouth Street, London WC2, 0171-240-4280. Sale starts tomorrow with up to 60 per cent reductions on designers including Copperwheat Blundell, Abe Hamilton, Christa Davis and David Purves. Clements Ribeiro black, sequinned, silk chiffon bias-cut dress reduced from pounds 620 to pounds 395.

Le Monde Menswear, 305 Tettenhall Road, Newbridge, Wolverhampton WV6 and 55 Victoria Street, Wolverhampton WV1. Sale starts 5 January with 30-50 per cent off menswear labels including R Newbold, Camper and Rockport.

Life, Birmingham (0121 633 0792), Manchester and Leeds (enqs 0161 237 9945). Sale starts first week in Jan with good reductions on sportswear brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Polo Ralph Lauren, Henri Lloyd and Schott.

Manhattan, 242 High Street, Slough, Berks, 01753 537 820, sale begins on 3 Jan with good discounts on menswear from Henri Lloyd, Lacoste and Calvin Klein.

Manolo Blahnik, 49 Old Church Street, London SW3. Sale begins 9 January with 45 per cent off winter stock and 50-60 per cent off previous collections. Best buys include Antonio Berardi "corset" mules from pounds 270 to pounds 150, and Cerruti high-cut shoe/boots from pounds 365 to pounds 200.

Margaret Howell, 29 Beauchamp Place, London SW3, 24 Brook Street W1, 0171-584-2462. Sale begins tomorrow with discounts from 30 per cent on current stock. Best buys include ballerina cardigan from pounds 169 to pounds 129.

Matches, 34, 37, 38-9 High St, Wimbledon Village, London SW19 and 13 Hill Street, Richmond, enqs: 0181 946 2540. Sale begins tomorrow until 25 Jan with discounts between 30 and 60 per cent on designer stock including Prada and Patrick Cox.

Max Mara, 32 Sloane Street, London SW1 and 153 New Bond Street. Sale begins tomorrow with discounts of 20-45 per cent on stock. The New Bond Street store closes on 6 Jan for refurbishment.

Michael Chell, Windsor (01753 862 589), Maidenhead (01628 672610), and Camberley (01276 676735). Sale starts tomorrow at all branches with discounts on menswear labels including Kenzo, Hugo Boss and Paul Smith.

Mulberry, 41-42 New Bond St, London W1, 11-12 Gees Court, W1. Sale begins tomorrow with up to 50 per cent off selected stock. Best buys include half-price luggage and a velvet halter-neck dress from pounds 415 to pounds 279.

Nicole Farhi, 11 Floral Street, London WC2, 158 New Bond St, W1, 193 Sloane Street. Sale now on with up to 30 per cent off stock. Best buys include winter coats.

Osprey, London W1, 0171-935-2824. Sale now on until end of January, 50-70 per cent off selected items.

Patrick Cox, 30 Sloane St, London SW1, 0171-235-5599. Sale begins tomorrow with reductions of up to 30 per cent off winter stock including lace-up knee-high boot with kitten heel from pounds 335 to pounds 234.

Paul Smith, 14-44 Floral St, London WC2 and nationwide, enqs: 0171-379- 7133. Sale begins 3 Jan for four weeks with 30-50 per cent discounts on all collections.

Pellicano, 63 South Molton Street, London W1, 0171 629 2205. Sale begins tomorrow with 30 per cent off this season's stock including CB, Joelynian, Eric Bergere, Miu Miu, and Antonio Berardi. Bargains include brown cropped sheepskin jacket by Miu Miu from pounds 1,200 to pounds 450, Antonio Berardi grey mini kilt from pounds 260 to pounds 180.

Polo Ralph Lauren, 143 New Bond Street, London W1. Sale begins mid-Jan with 30-50 per cent off all winter stock.

Prada, 42-45 Sloane Street, SW1, 0171 235 0008. Sale begins 29 Dec with 20-50 per cent discount on all stock of menswear and womenswear, shoes and accessories.

The Designerwear Showroom, 17 Riding House Street, London W1, 0171 436 3175. Sale now on with 30-50 per cent off menswear labels including Armani, Moschino and Versace.

Sakks Manshop, Shamrock Quay, Southampton, 01703 637 892. Sale starts on 9 Jan with upto 50 per cent off menswear by Armani, Boss, Cerruti, Versace and Stone Island.

The Field, Reading ( 01734 590 810), Wokingham (01734 787872) and Henley (01491 414144). Sale starts 2 Jan with good discounts on menswear labels including Hugo Boss, Issey Miyake and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Repertoire, Beaconsfield (01494 681655), Marlow (01628 476 996) and Watford (01923 235445). Sale starts tomorrow with good discounts on menswear labels including Iceberg, Victor Victoria, Nicole Farhi and John Rocha.

Robert Old & Co, 20-21 Westover Road, Bournemouth 01202 290 832. Sale starts 8 Jan with 30-50 per cent off Ermenegildo Zegna, Versace Classic V2 and Iceberg.

View, 17 Hill Street, Richmond, Surrey, 0181 332 2726. Sale now on with discounts on men's and women's labels including Basi, Schott, Thomas Burberry and Jasper Conran.

Wade Smith, fashion store for men and women, Matthew Street, Cavern Quarter; Active Woman, Whitechapel and Wade Smith Junior, Paradise Street, all Liverpool, call 0151 255 1077. Sale starts tomorrow with 30-50 per cent off designer labels for men, women and children including Dolce & Gabbana, DKNY, Guess? and Victor Victoria.

Whistles, 12, St. Christopher's Place, London W1 and natiowide, enqs: 0171 487 4484. Sale now on with 20-50 per cent reductions on all items including wool stretch one-button jacket, was pounds 235, now pounds 164; matching skirt, was pounds 110, now pounds 55; stretch velvet bootleg pants, down from pounds 115 to pounds 92, stretch paisley shirt, was pounds 115, now pounds 57.

Woodies Emporium, 22-26 Morgan Arcade, Cardiff (01222 232171) and 16 The Triangle, Bristol ( 01179 292 519). Sale starts 22 Jan with 20-50 per cent off men's designer labels and accessories including Firetrap, Calvin Klein, Fred Perry, Full Circle, G-Shock and Napapijri.

Valentino, 174 Sloane Street, London SW1; 160 New Bond Street, W1, 0171 235 5855. Sale now on with 40 per cent off current stock and up to 60 per cent on previous collections. Best buy tiger-print coat, pounds 1,820, narrow pants and embroidered top, pounds 1,630.

Vivienne Westwood, men's, accessories and Red Label: 44 Conduit Street, London W1. Gold Label: 6 Davies Street, W1. Sale starts 5 Jan with 30 per cent off all winter stock.

Xile, Unit 22, Waverley Market, Princes Street, Edinburgh, 0131 556 6508. Sale starts today with discounts on mens and womenswear starting at 20 per cent on selected items including Duffer, Diesel, Limehaus, Comme des Garcons and Dolce & Gabbana.

Yves Saint Laurent, Rive Gauche Men and Women, 33 Sloane St, London SW1 and 137, New Bond St, W1, 0171-493-2143. Sale begins tomorrow with 30-50 per cent off all winter stock. Men's single breasted pinstripe suit, was pounds 750, now pounds 375, women's wool knitted bootleg trousers, down from pounds 395 to pounds 235.

High Street and

Miscellaneous

Biba, 18 Piccadilly Arcade, Jermyn St, London SW1, 0171-359-3699. Sale now on for one month with 50 per cent off winter stock. Rainbow velvet coat is reduced from pounds 160 to pounds 80.

Burberry, 18-22 Haymarket, London SW1, 165 Regent St, London W1, 0171 734 5929, sale begins tomorrow for three weeks with 30-50 per cent off stock. Best buys include classic men's trenchcoat from pounds 625 to pounds 395.

Cobra Sports, nationwide, enqs: 0181 847 4616. Sale begins tomorrow for three weeks with up to 50 per cent reductions on all major sports brands. Nike Air Triax from pounds 79.99 to pounds 49.99.

Ciro Pearls, 61, Brompton Road, London SW3, 0171589 5584. Sale begins 29 Dec with 50 per cent reductions on selected items of costume jewellery and 25 per cent off any existing sale items.

Clarks, branches nationwide, enqs: 0171371 9011. Sale now on until end of Jan with up to pounds 15 discount on casual shoes and boots.

Country Casuals, branches nationwide, enqs: 0171 287 5181. Sale now on with discounts of up to 50 per cent on casualwear, soft tailoring, winter knitwear and accessories.

Diesel, 55 Neal Street, London WC2, enqs: 0171 833 2255. Sale begins tomorrow until 17 January with 30-50 per cent off all fashion items from the men's, women's and children's ranges, doesn't include denim.

Duffer of St. George, 29 Shorts Gardens, London WC2, 0171-379 4660. Sale begins 10 Jan with 20-50 per cent off. Own label fleeces, down from pounds 85 to pounds 65, original Cowboy chunky cardigans from pounds 200 to pounds 99.

East & East Additions, branches nationwide, enqs: 0181-877 0807. Sale starts tomorrow until mid-Jan with up to 50 per cent off all stock including handknit cardigans and velvet shirts.

Egg, 36, Kinnerton St, London SW1, 0171-235 9315. Sale begins in the first week of Feb for two weeks with 30-50 per cent off selected items.

Faith, nationwide, enqs: 0800-289297. Sale began 20 Dec, offering up to 50 per cent on selected footwear and bags.

Favourbrook, men's: 55 Jermyn Street, London SW1; waistcoats and accessories: 19-21 Piccadilly Arcade, SW1; women's: 18 Piccadilly Arcade, enqs: 0171- 491 2337. Sale starts tomorrow until 31 Jan with 10 per cent off all women's and men's jackets, trousers and accessories and up to 50 per cent off waistcoats, which start at pounds 120.

French Connection, branches nationwide, enqs: 0171-580 2507. Sale begins tomorrow with 30 per cent off all items from men's and women's collections. Best buys include women's double-breasted maxi coat from pounds 200 to pounds 140.

French & Teague/1647, 69 Gloucester Ave, London NW1. Sale begins 2 Jan, with 30-50 per cent off current stock. Dupion silk reversible bronze/indigo opera coat, was pounds 700, will be pounds 400.

Gap, stores nationwide, enqs: 0800 427789. No sale as such but many items will be marked down on sale rails from tomorrow.

Gieves & Hawkes, 1 Savile Row, London W1, enqs: 0171-434 2001. Sale begins tomorrow until end of Jan in all stores. Best buys include blazers from pounds 295 to pounds 195, and suits from pounds 495 to pounds 295.

H&M Hennes, London, Leeds, Norwich and Birmingham, for local shop call 0171 255 2031. Sale now on.

Jeffrey Rogers, enqs: (01923) 474 400. Sale begins tomorrow with price cuts of 30-75 per cent on all stock. Best buys include assorted knitwear from pounds 29.99 to pounds 6.99 and jackets from pounds 64.99 to pounds 29.99.

Jigsaw, 43 branches nationwide, enqs: 0171-491 4484. Sale starts 7 Jan with discounts from 30 per cent on winter clothes.

John Lobb, 88 Jermyn St, London W1, 179 Sloane St, SW1. Sale begins 29 Dec with 30-50 per cent off a selection of traditional men's shoes. Best buys include classic brogues from pounds 375 to pounds 195 and boots from pounds 420 to pounds 255.

Karen Millen, branches nationwide, enqs: (01622) 664032. Sale starts tomorrow with 30-50 per cent off selected lines.

Kookai, enqs: 0171-937 4411. Sale begins tomorrow with discounts of up to 50 per cent. Best buys include double-breasted reefer-style coat from pounds 160 to pounds 69.

Next, nationwide. Sale begins tomorrow with up to 50 per cent off all autumn/winter stock.

Oasis, nationwide. Sale begins tomorrow with up to 50 per cent off selected stock. Best buys include stretch velvet hipsters, originally pounds 44.99, now pounds 24.99. Final reductions will be on 29 Jan.

Office, branches across London, 0181-838 0070. Sale begins 2 Jan with reductions of up to 50 per cent on brands including Hush Puppy, Merrell, Napapijri, and Costume National.

Offspring, Neal St, London WC2. Sale begins 2 Jan with up to 50 per cent off sports brands.

Ouiset, 0171-255 5300. Sale starts today for one month, with discounts of up to 50 per cent.

Red Or Dead, enqs: 0114-723 7827. Sale begins tomorrow with up to 50 per cent reductions on everything.

The Scotch House, London and Edinburgh, enqs: 0171-581 2151. Sale starts tomorrow for three weeks with 30-40 per cent reductions on all stock including ladies' cashmere roll-neck sweater from pounds 165 to pounds 125.

Wallis, branches nationwide, enqs: 0181-910 1333. Sale now on with up to 50 per cent off womenswear and accessories.

Windsmoor, branches nationwide, enqs: 0181-800 8022. Sale begins tomorrow.

Woodhouse, London and Manchester, enqs: 0171-629 1254. Sale now on with 20-30 per cent off menswear labels including Woodhouse own label, Stone Island and Armani.

Department Stores

Allders, The Whitgift Centre, Croydon, Surrey. Sale starts today, with 30-50 per cent discounts in all departments.

Army & Navy, Victoria, London SW1, 0171-834 1234. Sale begins tomorrow with discounts from 20-50 per cent in all departments.

Barkers, Kensington High Street, London W8, 0171-937 5432. Sale begins tomorrow with discounts from 20-50 per cent in all departments.

Bhs, nationwide, enqs: 0171-262-3288. Sale commences today until 19 Jan with up to 50 per cent off selected items.

Debenhams, branches nationwide, sale begins tomorrow with 30-50 per cent off selected items.

DH Evans, Oxford Street, London W1, 0171-629 8800. Sale begins tomorrow with 20-50 per cent off selected items.

Dickins & Jones, Regent St, London W1. Sale begins tomorrow with discounts and special offers in menswear, womenswear and childrenswear departments.

Fortnum & Mason, 181 Picadilly, London W1. Sale starts 30 Dec with discounts from 25-50 per cent off selected items from men's, women's, children's and gift sections. Food items are not on sale.

Fenwicks, New Bond Street, London W1, 0171-629 9161. Sale begins tomorrow with 30-50 per cent off current stock including Jasper Conran evening dress from pounds 249 to pounds 125 and Kenzo man's suit from pounds 399 to pounds 279.

Harrods, Knightsbridge, London SW1, 0171-730 1234. Sale begins at 9am on 7 Jan and continues until 31 Jan across all deparments. Womenswear collections offer up to 50 per cent off labels such as Prada. Best buys: grey woollen skinny-rib top from pounds 204 to pounds 140 and discounts on Helmut Lang menswear, single-breasted suit from pounds 829 to pounds 579.

Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW1, 0171-235 5000. Sale begins tomorrow with up to 50 per cent off items in all departments. Bargains include Dolce & Gabbana men's cashmere jumper from pounds 365 to pounds 182 and women's Galliano ruffle dress from pounds 1,025 to pounds 512.

House of Fraser, sale starts today in Scotland and continues until 24 Jan; in England and Wales sale begins tomorrow, until 24 Jan, with 20- 50 per cent off selected items.

John Lewis department stores, nationwide, enqs: 0171-828 1000. Clearance sale begins 29 Dec with bargains available in all depatments, womenswear sale items include 100 per cent wool jackets reduced from pounds 95 to pounds 65 and classic merino knitwear from pounds 25 to pounds 15.

Liberty, Regent Street, London, W1, 0171-734 1234. Sale begins tomorrow with up to 50 per cent off throughout all departments, reductions in women's fashion include Nicole Farhi tunic from pounds 149 to pounds 74.50 and menswear Ralph Lauren polo shirts from pounds 60 to pounds 35.

Marks & Spencer, on sale nationwide from tomorrow with 30 per cent discounts on all end-of-season stock.

Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1, enqs: 0171-318 3562. Sale begins tomorrow with reductions throughout the store, with discounts of up to 50 per cent in men's and women's fashions, such as Katherine Hamnett velvet wrap coat reduced from pounds 539 to pounds 99.

Miscellaneous

Aero, 96 Westbourne Grove, London W2, enqs: 0171-221 950. Sale begins 3 Jan until 1 Feb, discounts of up to 30 per cent off furniture, lighting and accessories for the home.

The Body Shop, nationwide, enqs: 01903 731 500. A good buy is White Musk Eau de Toilette, reduced by 50 per cent.

B&Q, branches nationwide, enqs: 0171-465 7700. Sale begins tomorrow until 8 Feb, reductions in all departments with best buys in kitchens, tiling and interiors departments.

Courts, branches nationwide, enqs: 0181-640 3322. Sale begins tomorrow, with up to 50 per cent reductions on selected three-piece suites.

Habitat, branches nationwide, enqs: 0171-255 2545. Sale from tomorrow to 25 January, reductions on upholstery, furniture, lighting, decoration and bedlinen, best buys on sofa beds.

Heal's, branches in London and Guildford, enqs: 0171-636 1666. Sale from tomorrow to 18 Jan. Reductions in all departments, up to 50 per cent off some discontinued lines and 15 per cent off selected ranges of furniture, upholstery and beds.

HMV, 150 Oxford Street, London W1, 0171-631 3423. Sale from tomorrow to mid-January, albums from pounds 9.99, videos from pounds 8.99.

Ikea, branches nationwide, enqs: 0181-208 5600. Sale from tomorrow to 18 Jan, reductions in many departments, including 40 per cent off Jussi dining table in white and Mira beds.

Mulberry Hall, Stonegate, York, and mail order, (01904) 620736. Reductions in all departments, good buys on Spode Bordeaux dinner sets and Stuart crystal.

MFI, nationwide, enqs: 0990 634634. Sale from today to 31 Jan, reductions on beds and upholstery, up to 50 per cent off fitted kitchens and bedrooms.

Purves & Purves, enqs: 0171-580 8223. Sale starts 27 Dec for three weeks, with 10 per cent off British and international furniture above pounds 500.

Tower Records, One Piccadilly, London W1, 0171-439 2500. Sale from 31 Dec to 26 Jan, with reductions on books, CDs, tapes and accessories.

WH Smith, branches nationwide. Sale from tomorrow, reductions on music, videos and stationary. Up to 50 per cent off some gift ranges and Christmas products.