With every imaginable item on sale at jaw-dropping prices, it's easy to splurge on unnecessary items at this time of year. So what do you do? Do you stay at home and refuse to enter a mall? Well, shopping responsibly is quite a disciplined task for a resident of the UAE. Instead, follow my guide to how to move your wardrobe forward by spending smart, avoiding buyer's remorse, and having fun all at the same time.
1. Try on and list
I have written about my "try-on nights" time and time again, but for good reason: they work. A try-on night involves trying on all the clothing you currently own, and working out what you need to wear for the season ahead. If you're a working mum who needs to have some jazzy corporate outfits and some practical mum outfits, then a try-on session is perfect. Try on your clothes to see what fits, what doesn't, and what you need to replace or repair. As our bodies are always changing, our clothes don't always look and fit the same.
If you're a career woman and have many social events to attend, you need to make sure you have your complete outfits head-to-toe ready to go. My methodology is simple: I work out my weekly outfit schedule Sunday to Thursday.
My recent wardrobe try-on was for a good corporate casual look.
I realised all my trousers were so well-washed that they had faded and I was in need of a good few pairs in colours other than black. I also had plenty of jackets, but was missing a few nice plain tops in white and black to go under my jackets to complete the looks.
A sure-fire way to avoid regretting your sale purchases is to make a list of the wardrobe staples you need before you go, and set yourself a budget - take cash and leave your credit card at home.
The world won't end if you don't get that extra top. Remember that 50 per cent off an item you don't actually need is a waste of money, not a bargain.
2. Quality and style
When it comes to fashion sales, you can bet the trend-heavy or "it" colours of the season will all be heavily reduced in price. So ask yourself if a burgundy leather skirt will stand you in good fashion stead. If the answer is yes, then go for it.
I personally go for quality when I am looking to purchase my classic pieces. I have brands I consider are good value and they respect my body shape. When I find a piece that fits perfectly, I often buy two pairs.
At 60 per cent off, this is indeed a good value. Your personal style is in fact a uniform; so if something works and fits, then go with it.
Seeking out the staple wardrobe items in classic colours and shades are always winning solutions when it comes to shopping the sales. Key pieces to look out for include good-quality chinos with a silk-cotton finish that can be worn in both corporate and casual settings. Plain tees in white, black and grey, jackets, classic little black dresses, sharp and crisp white shirts, classic pumps, ballet flats and neutral clutches just to name a few.
3. The shopping trip
I recommend arriving at the mall early. They are usually less crowded in the mornings than in the afternoons in the UAE. If you want to ease your way in and out of the fitting rooms, then be sure to get to bed early so you arrive at the sales in the right frame of mind, energised and in a positive shopping mood. This is equally as important as what you're wearing to the sales.
Here are some easy and useful tips to make your day easier and more practical:
Ÿ Changing rooms can become a nightmare; so wear a thin layer under your outer layer to make slipping things on in the store much easier
Ÿ Wear comfy and easy to remove shoes - or even the ones you plan to match to your outfits.
Ÿ Take your jackets or key items from home with you. If you have existing items that you want to match with a new skirt or trousers, then bring them with you. This ensures you get the perfect items at the right price and will not need to return them at a later date.
The key to an ideal shopping day is to plan ahead so that you're not frazzled and stressed before heading to the stores. Take your list, your positive frame of mind and enjoy yourself. You'll see the day unfold perfectly for you.
PS: Some important notes about shopping with others: you may shop better alone than with a friend.
No matter what, be sure you choose your company (or lack of) carefully. Boyfriends and husbands may want to make a quick exit during the chaos, dawdle and slow down or simply lose interest.
Janelle Malone is a wealth commentator, writer and author. You can read her blog at www.womenmoneyandstyle.com
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
