This time of year, the post-Christmas sales are coming to an end, and stores really want to get rid of the last of this season’s stock to make room for all the new deliveries that are about to arrive.

It sounds like a great time to find bargains… but not everything that’s on sale will be a great buy. If you don’t need it or it isn’t quite right for you, it doesn’t become a bargain just because it’s 90% off the retail price.

If you’ve ever been seduced by the markdown and bought a ‘bargain’ that turned out to be all wrong, you probably don’t want to repeat the experience.

Here’s three types of sale items you can buy with confidence — they’re unlikely to be a bad buy.

Things you really need

Your favourite black jacket is threadbare from years of use. You see a cute new one on sale. You like the style, it fits you well, it’s good quality… do you buy it?

Definitely. Something you genuinely need at a good price is a guaranteed bargain.

Better quality than you can usually afford

For any items you use regularly, it makes financial sense to spend the same amount as usual, but buy better quality than you can usually afford. The garment will last longer, look better and be more flattering — desirable qualities in everything from underwear and t-shirts to shoes and coats.

Top quality items are rarely found at low price points, but prices do come down in the sales. If you know what you’re looking for, a steep discount can bring the very best quality products into your price range. But beware, not everything expensive is good quality. Give that cashmere sweater a thorough inspection before you buy, even if it is 75% off!

A lusted-after brand for less

So, you’ve been having erotic daydreams about Tod’s loafers (or something equally pricey). You love them so much you’re tempted to spend a year’s clothing budget on a pair, but you have so many questions. Are they as comfy as they look? Will they last long enough to justify their price? And most importantly, are they really you, or only good on fantasy you?

If you buy them at full price, you risk a very expensive mistake. At 50% off, your financial risk is halved, or at 75% off, it’s halved again.

So if you see a brand you’ve been lusting after at a heavily discounted price, it makes sense to try the product at the reduced price… just be sure you like the particular style and colour that’s marked down. Don’t buy something that’s not really you for the sake of label!