Find a fashion bargain

London is a treasure trove of fashion bargains come the January sales, as most high street and designer stores slash their prices. But how to make sure you make the most of the one-off prices and don't come back with a barrowful of tat? We've got top tips and shop info for you here.

* Don't try to tackle all the shops at once: Stick to one area, say West Oxford Street, or Covent Garden, per day. The big department stores like John Lewis, Selfridges and Harrods are also likely to take hours, too, so give yourself plenty of time.

* Choose classic items: Go for simply designed, well-cut clothing that will last you more than just a few months. A black jumper that usually costs £200 and now costs £100 may seem like a lot to spend, but it's likely to last longer than your £10 items.

* Wear sensible shoes: It sounds obvious, but don't go shopping in your pointy-toed stilettoes - you'll end up with hurty feet and a tension headache.

* Avoid last season's fashion fads: And this means fake Uggs, ponchos, fur gilets and floppy boho hats. Yes, they're cheap, but they're also soooo 2004, darlings.

* Set yourself a budget: And do as much as you can to stick to it!