The best January sales are in full swing, providing the perfect opportunity to bag a new year bargain. Granted, it feels as though Black Friday and the Boxing Day sales have only just been and gone – but they left a sizeable sales-shaped hole in our hearts. And let’s face it: January is bleak. Luckily, the January sales inject retail therapy-induced endorphins into our veins and serve up discounts on everything from GANNI dresses to MAC eyeshadow palettes, Dyson hair straighteners and Daily Sleeper pyjama sets. Nothing like starting the year on a high.
What’s more, research has suggested that the January sales are – for many retailers – actually bigger than Black Friday (since lots of brands have high quality products to sell after Christmas and ahead of the Spring season). But if you want to be sustainable about the way you take advantage, you’ll want to do some purchase planning to ensure you only buy the pieces you want and need. No impulse buys round these parts. It’s time to get ahead.
When did the January sales start? | Are the January sales bigger than Black Friday? | How to shop the January sales sustainably | What are the best things to buy in the January sales?
Best January sales 2023 at a glance:
- Over 1,400 wardrobe heroes in the Free People January sale
- Up to 70% off designer fashion at Net-A-Porter
- Further reductions at ASOS, now up to 80% off
- John Lewis: up to 60% off womenswear, up to 50% off home and up to 30% off beauty and fragrance
- Up to 75% off at Karen Millen
- Savings of up to £1,100 on luxury mattresses and sleep bundles at Simba Sleep
- Up to 70% off sex toys, lingerie, bondage and other sexual wellness essentials at Lovehoney
When did the January sales start?
The January sales – despite their name – actually started on Boxing Day. They usually run ’til the first week of January, but this year, many brands are running them throughout the month. Our favourite retailers – from Net-A-Porter to ASOS – have reduced their prices by up to 70% selected lines, which means you can pick up the pieces you can’t usually justify at a more accessible price. We’re thinking timeless winter coats, coffee machines, designer handbags… the lot.
Are the January sales bigger than Black Friday?
Most retailers take part in both the January sales and Cyber Week shopping events, and the jury. is still out on which is better. While Black Friday deals tend to fall under the “site-wide sales” category – that is, an offer like 30% off everything – January sales tend to see larger discounts on more select lines. At face value, it could be argued that you’re more likely to make a strong saving in January. Retailers have all of their autumn/winter stock to shift ahead of the new year – despite the freezing temps going nowhere.
How to shop the January sales sustainably:
We’re always cautious about encouraging over-consumption, particularly after a period of gift-giving and decadence. But we’re also aware that we’re amidst a cost-of-living crisis, and the sales can be the best time to pick up capsule wardrobe staples that you actually need, for less. Sales don’t need to be a breeding ground for unsustainable behaviour if you shop them smartly: don’t impulse buy, invest in pieces that will stand the test of time and try and avoid prints and patterns that will likely be out-dated in a couple of seasons to come.
What are the best things to buy in the January sales? Scroll for our full edit of the best January sales to shop today.
The Free People sale section is a treasure trove of influencer-adored wardrobe staples, particularly if you’re looking to get ahead of the new season with some pieces that’ll see you through to summer. The brand has selected just over 1,400 pieces to be discounted this January – but ahead, a couple of our favourites.
Sure, ASOS seems to be running a sale in practically every week of the year, but that’s no reason to overlook the ASOS January sale. Not least because a plethora of the pieces in your wishlist are highly likely to have been reduced. You can save up to 80% on ASOS own-brand and branded pieces right now. Run, don’t walk towards this one.
The Net-A-Porter winter sale is every fashion editor’s kryptonite – and if you thought it was good in 2022, just wait ’til you see the selection of pieces with a whopping 70% (!) off. Net-A-Porter hosts almost every major designer brand of the moment – from Jimmy Choo and Re-Done to Gucci, Victoria Beckham, Chloé, Balenciaga and hundreds more – as well as an myriad of mid-priced labels loved by the fashion-pack and influencers alike – we’re talking Rejina Pyo, Rixo, Faithfull The Brand and Ganni. But this can, of course, make shopping there feel like more of a pipe dream than reality. That is, until, their January sale launches. Right now, you can shop designer fashion and luxury beauty with up to 70% off.
For office staples and chic AF loungewear, look no further than the Karen Millen sale. Their selection of sharp, tailored blazer are a force to be reckoned with. One in every colour, please.
Right now at the high-street hero that is John Lewis, you can save up to 60% off womenswear, up to 50% off home and up to 30% off beauty and fragrance. Their epic array of in-house and external brands needs no introduction – but in the name of going above and beyond, may we point you in the direction of their enviable array of discounted Whistles? So, so good.
Over on Farfetch right now, brands including Off-White, Jenner-adorned Khaite, JW Anderson, Versace, Balenciaga and Balmain are all reduced in price – and we’re here for every single joyous piece.
Missoma Jewellery is loved by so many celebrities – from Em Rata to Florence Pugh and Bella Hadid. Even Meghan Markle, Kendall Jenner and J-Lo have been spotted wearing the brand. If it’s good enough for all of our favourite A-listers, we’re be daft to pass up a chance to invest with up to 60% off. Right?
Though Selfridges’ winter sale has now ended, the discounts in the Women’s Clearance section continue to go strong. We’ve got our eyes on discounted Sweaty Betty sports bras and gym leggings – in the name of that new years’ wellness kick.
The home of Scandi-cool on the high street is & Other Stories. Stat. So it’s no surprise that their sale section forever goes down a treat with influencers and fashion editors alike. Pick up stalwart staples including wool coats, suer-soft knitwear and chunky winter boots with epic savings.
The best sex toys have become mainstays in our self-care routines in 2023, with searches for clit vibrators, bullet vibrators and rabbit vibrators all skyrocketing to never-seen-before heights. This January, save up to 70% on sex toys, lingerie and bondage products in the Lovehoney winter sale. Below, our top picks: