A few years ago, I wrote a blog titled “Beware of Summer Sales.” Now, I’m warning myself not to overspend on all those winter clearance bargains. Some of you may recall this memorable photo:

Here are my own words from that 2016 blog: Sales can be tempting. Cheap, cheap, cheap clothing, shoes, accessories–everywhere you look. But beware. Buying simply for the sake of buying can be be detrimental to your pocketbook and even worse… to your closet.

Janna and I published an article in the Huffington Post titled “How to Become Your Own Fashion Editor.” In it, we point out the importance of being a ruthless editor when it comes to shopping.

The definition of edit is: to oversee, manage, control.

We are besieged with online sales and advertising. And virtual shopping is just a click away. It’s easy to “load up” on sale items and bargain fashions. But are the clothes we’re buying really considered A+ outfits, or are they simply mediocre garments at a phenomenal price?

Clothing is so inexpensive these days that it can almost be considered disposable. Except that we never seem to dispose of it. Quintessential Style readers tell us one of the most memorable lines from our book is: “Your closet is a river, Not the Dead Sea.”

So, become your own ruthless fashion editor when it comes to shopping. Whether you are buying in a department store or online, if you know yourself, you can search out garments with the specific criteria that ‘fits you perfectly,’ rather than becoming a slave to trends and bargains. Try not to be blinded by the flash of fashion (and cheap clothing).

Having said all this, there are some items that may be valuable to stock up on during winter sales:

• Basic pieces like t-shirts, turtle necks, and jeans
• Underwear and lingerie
• Pajamas/robes you can wear all year-round
• Coats, gloves, and sweaters (but be selective)

The later in the season, the more the discount. But the shorter the time you have to wear your bargains.  Winter will be soon be over. Remember, you have to store all those sherpa sweaters, fleece joggers, and flannel hoodies somewhere.

Don’t be lured into purchasing just because something seems like a steal. Or you might be stuck will a load of stuff that you don’t really love. And chances are, you’ll love it even less next year.

BUT, Do buy things you absolutely know you will still love, like this cutie did:

Photo credit: Facebook