The seven deadly questions to ask yourself in the changing room

Six days into the new year the Telegraph’s fashion desk was feeling smug. None of us, we discovered, had bought anything in the sales. Or rather Emily Cronin had, but she was in the office working on Christmas day, so it’s understandable. And in any case, it turned out her bargain was slashed not just in price but in fabric. It was returned immediately on the basis that no one needs a dress slit up the waist - virtuous feelings all round, plus a smidgeon of instant gratification.

I was the first to crack properly, but we don’t need to go into that here. The point is, that we’re leading the way (sort of) when it comes to the new abstemious zeitgeist and we’ve been working on a template to resist temptations apart from those that should not be resisted. Here are 7 questions to ask yourself in the changing room...

Sales shopping: The chicest bargains on the high street

1. Do I already own this? Sounds obvious but all too often the overstuffed modern wardrobe has concealed, and possibly congealed, layers in which you may well find something almost identical to that which you are trying on. If it feels deliciously familiar, and "very you", chances are you already have it in at least three guises.

2. OK, I do already own this, but am I going to get rid of the old versions on the basis they’re no longer fit for purpose? (NB it is not sufficient to gently nod along affirmatively. Before purchase, you must go home and actively bag up all the old bobbled versions and take them to a charity shop/cut them up into dusters. Only then may you return to buy.

Mix/J.Won stripe zip neck knit, ￡85, Next; Mix/Teatum Jones tailored pinstripe crop trousers, ￡125, Next 

3. What will this do for your outfit potential? Next’s figures, released this week, defied general retail gloom with a 1.5 per cent uplift on the quarter. One reason - that we’ve identified at least - is that the chain makes it easier than most for the consumer to buy into outfits. Every top comes with a co-ordinating skirt/trousers/jacket/jumper. And not just plain colours. Patterns are cleverly mis-matched so it’s easy to put a non-corporate but smart look together. Try to use this as a principle whenever you buy an item. Sometimes this may result in you buying another piece to go with it, but if that gives you more outfit options, that’s money well spent.

4. Have you taken a photo of yourself? Not to plaster all over Instagram but so that you can see what that jacket really looks like. So often when we look in the mirror we zero in on what we want to see, or on perceived flaws. The camera never lies. Well it doesn’t if you use it correctly.

Mix/Teatum Jones Geo Jacquard Coat, ￡250, Next; Mix/Hudson Sheena suede heeled boot, ￡170, Next 

5. Have I got the shoes to go with this? Because that’s a whole other saga. And let’s not get started on the tights. It’s one thing for that dress to look fab with bare legs, but it’s winter. You need tights, and they can kill a look. Or you need boots and the rights ones are elusive.

6. Do I have the right underwear to do this - and myself - justice? Because if not, maybe you should be in Rigby and Peller upgrading your ten year old bras rather than trying on your 53rd navy jumper. Make sagginess history in 2018.

7. Can I wear this now? Because if it’s a high summer piece, the chances of you A. finding it and B. still liking it by the time it’s warm enough to wear it are, on a par with Melania and Donald having Steve Bannon over for Sunday lunch.