Who doesn’t love a bargain? Truth is, there’s something innately satisfying about getting your hands on an item for less than it’s worth. It’s one of the reasons we love sale shopping. Get it right, and it feels like you’ve beaten the system. But what does “getting it right” mean?

One thing to understand is that there is no such thing as a must-have. Tastes differ, and one man’s Holy Grail might be another’s hard pass. There are, however, a couple of universal qualities that make for a great purchase, regardless of whether you’re shopping for sneakers, suits or anything in between.

The first is what you might call timelessness. While some clothes are quick to show their age, others – usually the less overtly trendy ones – have a longer shelf life, making them a much better long-term investment. It’s for this reason that some of the most reliable brands to shop during the sale are those which have proven resistant to the ebb and flow of seasonal trends.

The second is the material quality of the item itself, so look out for brands with a commitment to a high standard of craftsmanship. The same argument explains why the best bargains are often found at the upper end of the price scale. Sure, sorting by price: low to high might be your first instinct while browsing the sale pages – we’ve all done it – but it’s worth keeping your eye out for those big-ticket items, too.

Here, we’ve picked out seven items in the sale that offer real value for money.

A relatively recent addition to MR PORTER – the label’s debut menswear collection landed on our shelves just two years ago – The Row has quickly earned a reputation as the epitome of low-key luxury. Each of its garments is made without compromise and priced accordingly, which makes this beautiful cashmere-blend blazer something of a steal at 60 per cent off. Granted, it’s still not what you’d call cheap, but you can rest assured that clothes don’t come much better than this.

Black trousers are unlikely to feature on many people’s sale shopping lists, but an exception should surely be made for these. Crafted by Alexander McQueen, the namesake brand of one of Britain’s most talented fashion designers, they’re a great example of the difference that proper tailoring can make to even the simplest of garments. This is the kind of sale purchase you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.

Deftly bridging that tricky gap between winter coat and summer shirtsleeves, this lightweight suede worker jacket from our own brand Mr P. is a great investment for spring. The quality of the materials alone make this a savvy sale purchase. The timeless, wear-anywhere design seals the deal.

Séfr started life as a vintage store in Malmö, Sweden, so it’s fitting that its own designs should have that same rare, ageless quality that we associate with the best vintage finds. This subtly embroidered linen-and-cotton-blend shirt is one to snag now, store safely in your wardrobe for a few months, and then wear all summer long.

The grey jersey sweatshirt is a great wardrobe staple, but in the hands of TOM FORD – and with the generous use of Italian cashmere – it becomes something altogether more sophisticated. This slim-fit number is a smart choice for anyone looking to upgrade their WFH wardrobe (that’s all of us, then), and even smarter at 50 per cent off.

One of Britain’s oldest shoemakers is also one of its most influential. Grenson is known for pioneering the Goodyear welt, a sturdy sole design that’s now the hallmark of well-made British shoes. The Curt Derby shoe is a trademark of the brand, so you can expect the design to stick around. As for the shoes, they’re most definitely built to last.

AMI PARIS – a brand with a reputation for making the sort of clothes you’d imagine yourself wearing on a long, lazy weekend in the French capital – always delivers during sale time. Full of colour and character, its last-season collection still has plenty to offer. This contrast-collar polo shirt is our pick of the bunch.