How to use your colour season to shop the sales faster
The shops are flooded with sales at the moment. While sometimes the stock can feel a bit lacklustre, I’ve actually seen some absolute bargains this year. I think consumer spending has shifted, which means a lot more decent, wearable pieces are making it into the sales. There’s also quite a bit of early spring and summer stock still in the shops, meaning you can shop year round!
One of the things you’ll hear me say again and again is how much I love colour seasons for the ease they bring to shopping. Walking into a shop and being able to immediately disregard whole sections because you know they won’t work for you is incredibly satisfying.
Online shopping is exactly the same, just with a much bigger mountain of items (and one of the things that really helps to break away from that feeling of shopping overwhelm!)
Here’s how to use your colour season to shop the sales well:
Start with your gaps, not the discounts
Before you click anything, think about what you actually want to add to your wardrobe. Are there gaps you’ve noticed? Bigger-ticket items that would feel more affordable in the sale? Write them down.
That way, when you spot a pair of insanely gorgeous sparkly heels at half price, you can sense-check whether they actually earn their place, or whether your money would be better spent on a pair of trainers you love and will wear far more often.
Don’t be limited by the season we’re in
We’re in a proper cold spell right now and winter dressing still matters, but spring isn’t far off (I bought daffodils today, which always feels like a sign). Keep an eye out for pieces you can wear over the coming months, not just right now.
Naomi shared a beautiful lilac and white summer dress in the group last week — such a good buy, even if it’s not immediately wearable.
Use colour filters ruthlessly
You can’t filter for exact shades, but colour filters are still incredibly useful. I use them all the time to remove colours I know don’t work for me, for example orange, black, and most greys. Instantly, the options feel calmer, more focused, and far less distracting.
Neutrals count too
It’s very easy to get blindsided by all the bright, colourful pieces that suddenly look irresistible once they’re half price. But remember, your wardrobe isn’t built on brights alone.
Neutrals are the backbone of a wearable, easy wardrobe, so this is a great time to ask: are there any unsexy but essential basics or neutrals that would make everything else you own work harder?
Read the photos like a detective
Pay close attention to how a colour looks across different images. The same item on a model, in a flat lay, and on a studio background can look surprisingly different. Look for clues: what colours is it styled with? Does it suddenly look warmer, duller, or brighter in certain shots? I often find location images are the least accurate because they’re heavily edited, whereas studio lighting is more consistent (though it can still brighten colours).
Always check the reviews
So many sites brighten colours to make them pop on screen. I can’t tell you how often I’ve seen reviews saying, “This is not the colour shown on the website.” Reviews are often the most honest indicator of whether a colour is soft, bright, muted, warm, or cool in real life, so always have a quick look before you buy.
Trust your gut and use the group
If you’re unsure whether something works for your colour season, pop a post in the Facebook group and we’ll help you decide. That said, I usually find people’s first instinct is right. If you’re hesitating, there’s often a reason, but we’re here, so use us.
Check the Curated Wardrobe
Kate has been doing a tidy-up in the Curated Wardrobe this week, removing out-of-stock items, and she’s reported back that lots of pieces are now in the sale. Definitely worth a look if you want tried-and-tested options that already align with the JD approach.
Sales can be brilliant, as long as they’re supporting your wardrobe, not distracting you from it.
💡Looking for anything in particular… pop what you are searching for on this thread in the Facebook group, and we can see if we can find your something.
Related JoyDrops:
If you’d like to go a bit deeper into shopping you might also enjoy these previous JoyDrops
Shops and their seasons - A simple guide to noticing shops and the seasons they lean into