Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is upon us once again, but this is no time for meandering aimlessly around the mall. If fashion is your focus and you love a bargain you need to plan your sales shopping like a military mission. “It’s always best to hit the sales with a clear idea of what you want,” explains stylist and veteran Dubai sales shopper Dee Lawson.
1. Ladies in leather
“The best buys are always the investment pieces, such as a great leather jacket, good quality shoes and accessories. These are the kind of pieces that you can wear year after year. This year, a light-coloured leather jacket is a great buy to look out for. Reiss does a lovely dove grey number, which works well year-round. I’m predicting this piece will drop from more than Dh1,000 to around Dh400 in the sale, which is a real bargain,” says Lawson. “Reiss is also a great place to pick up simple separates. Its plain white T-shirts will see you right through from summer to autumn and were slashed by half last DSS. Grab them in bulk if you can find your size as the fit is great and they wash brilliantly.”
2. Bags of style
So what about bags? Surely a summer bag won’t work for autumn and winter? Think again. The tan totes currently on the shelves in the likes of Massimo Dutti and Zara make the perfect investment pieces to snap up during DSS. “Tan is a staple for all seasons,” says Lawson. “Just make sure it’s made from good leather. I love the ranges at Massimo Dutti and Uterque, but pretty much anything that says it is made in Spain is a good place to start. I also tell my clients to think of what else they have in their wardrobes and match the bag to existing items. Tan is not an exact shade.”
3. Back to basics
The shops are full of crisp white shirts and blouses in all shapes and sizes this summer. Topshop and COS in Dubai Mall have fabulous affordable ranges worth looking out for during DSS. “The DSS discounts are to die for,” says personal shopper Kara Watson. “I’m always impressed by the bargains you can get in Dubai as opposed to other shopping cities such as London, but it’s important to stay focused and go for classic investment pieces. White shirts are a great example of this. Just avoid 100 per cent cotton unless you really like ironing.” Topshop’s sleeveless Peter Pan-collared cotton blouse and the selection of utilitarian white shirts at COS are currently retailing at Dh200 to Dh300, but should drop by at least a third during DSS.
4. Jean genius
Lighter and white denims are everywhere this season, but that doesn’t mean you need to abandon them come September. The long sunny days in Dubai mean indigos and darker denims can be saved for trips to cooler climes and we can rock our lighter blue or ice white skinnies year-round. “I always pick up great jeans in the sales,” adds Watson. “I would go for classic cuts such as J-Brand Marias. They’re usually for more than Dh1,000, but I grabbed a pair for Dh400 last year. They’re super flattering too and the high waist hides a multitude of sins.”
Lawson adds, “The best places to keep an eye on for great denim discounts are Bloomingdales and Harvey Nichols as they have dedicated denim sections and often slash their prices by half.” But, fear not, light denim isn’t the only shade to invest in. If the thought of shimmying into a pair of white jeans fills you with dread, keep your eyes peeled for styles in grey instead. The Victoria Beckham denim range at Boutique 1 is often a great place to start and usually offers generous discounts along with super service from knowledgeable staff. The VB fit is surprisingly generous too, as long as you avoid the dreaded jegging style. These should only be approached by the super-skinny or supremely confident.
5. Shady lady
Snapping up a chic set of sunnies is a must during DSS. A year-round investment piece and an accessory for all seasons in Dubai it’s worth spending a bit of money on the perfect pair. Go for timeless classics such asRay-Ban Wayfarers or Aviators or select an oversized style with a pair of classic black or tortoise shell Chanels. Perfect for those days when you need something to hide behind. Dubai Outlet Mall is an excellent place to hit for sunnies with Ray-Bans often dropping below Dh500 during DSS as opposed to Dh1,000 plus. Just be prepared to do some legwork to find the real bargains.
