All at a price to; suit you

Where can a guy get a Jasper Conran suit for pounds 250? At the summer sales of course. Melanie Rickey tracks down perfectly affordable working wardrobes

There are endless snippets of advice about how to shop in the sales: always wear flat shoes; choose clothes that are easy to change in and out of; have a set budget; work out your route plan blah, blah, blah. The only advice worth remembering however, is simply to know what you want before you go and buy it. Those with a penchant for expensive, fashionable clothes to wear for work and play, who fall into the "I love that, but I will never be able to afford it bracket" are now able to say "Don't wrap it, I'll wear it," as prices are slashed.

Sale shopping is a serious business for some. Angela McNaught, a receptionist at corporate PR agency Band & Brown, and a self-confessed saleaholic, spends a few months saving in preparation for the twice-yearly sales. "I always manage to have pounds 300-pounds 350 put away, and never make any major purchases in-between the sales," she says. McNaught always heads for her favourite stores, Oasis and Warehouse first, and her advice is: never be frivolous. "I always tell my friends to look for the quality stuff, that way it lasts and you can wear the same jacket for work and going out." Her favourite sale bargain ever is a black single-breasted jacket from Oasis bought two years ago. "It was reduced from pounds 150 to pounds 75 and still looks as good as new, even though it has been worn continually," she says.

Shopping from the same stores season after season makes sense, the fabric mixes and colours remain consistent, so if you own a navy dress from Next, and want a jacket to update it a year later, you know you will probably find the same shade of navy again.

For men, however, shopping for work is completely different. Chris Slade, an Editorial Management Executive for a major publishing group, and a former PA, has two distinctly different wardrobes, one for work, and one for play. "I see my work clothes as a costume, and I don't want to spend much money on them, although I do like the feeling of wearing a suit," he says. His working wardrobe consists of four suits, seven shirts and a few ties. His favourite suit, a navy two-piece from Jasper Conran cost only pounds 199 in a sale last summer. His shirts are usually bought in the M&S or Thomas Pink sales, but his "non-work" gear, mainly trainers and hip-hop inspired gear, is never bought at the sales.

At Office Angels, a recruitment consultancy, assignment coordinators advise job seekers to look for clothes carefully. Denise Le Men places up to 180 people per week into temporary jobs. Her best tip is to tell her mostly-inexperienced temps to head for M&S, Next and Bhs to buy dark coloured basic skirt suits, neat blouses, and court shoes, especially during the sales. Le Men herself is another shopaholic who can't resist a bargain. "I have savings, so at sale time I feel safe that there are always funds for an impulse buy. I really like Whistles for something special, but Karen Millen is my favourite shop, although funnily enough my favourite work item is a suit from Bhs."

The slow trickle of these seasons sales has begun, and the race begins in earnest at Harvey Nichols on 2 July, although Harrods don't open their doors until the 9th with 50 per cent off all major labels including Dolce & Gabbana menswear and womenswear. But those who need a good selection of versatile work clothes are unlikely to make a pilgrimage to these hallowed stores; Warehouse, Karen Millen and Oasis are top of the list for women, while men are likely to buy a suit from a department store such as Fenwick, whose sale started yesterday. There a Jasper Conran suit is reduced from pounds 495 to pounds 245. Don't all run at oncen

Where to shop

Fenwick of Bond Street - started yesterday. Other branches of Fenwick have already begun their sales, except Windsor, which starts tomorrow, and Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells, which begin on 1 July

Karen Millen - starts tomorrow (01622-664 032 for details of your local branch)

Warehouse - starts tomorrow ( 0171-437 7101 for details of your local branch)

Oasis - starts 3 July (01865 881 986 for details of your local branch)

Armand Basi - starts

10 July

Dolcis - starts 7 July

Whistles - starts today (0171-487 4484 for local branch)

Bhs - starts tomorrow (0171-262 3288 for details of your local branch)

Derek wears: Charcoal trouser suit, was pounds 299, now pounds 199 by Strellson; pale blue button-down shirt was pounds 45, now pounds 29 by Harryland all from Fenwicks of Bond Street and branches nationwide, (subject to individual stores stock). Chevignon suede lace-ups, were pounds 69, now pounds 55, available from Dolcis as before. Blue tie, was pounds 47, now pounds 32 by Armand Basi, available from 12 Floral Street, London WC2. For stockists nationwide call 0171 278 4843. Total cost pounds 460, saving pounds 145.

Photographs: Tony Buckingham

Ruth wears: Single breasted navy jacket, was pounds 249, now pounds 129; matching skirt was pounds 79, now pounds 39, (matching slim-fit trousers also available was pounds 109, now pounds 54), navy and white stripe v-neck short sleeved top, was pounds 59 now pounds 25 all by Weekend by MaxMara; navy leather shoulder bag, was pounds 185, now pounds 92.50 by Osprey, all from Fenwicks of Bond Street and branches nationwide (subject to individual stores stock). Call 0171 629-9161. Shoes, were pounds 35 now pounds 20 from Dolcis, 333 Oxford Street, London W1 and branches nationwide. Call 0800 192 192 for your local stockist. Total cost pounds 305.50, saving pounds 301.50

Photographs: Tony Buckingham