Here’s our guide to spending less on clothes than your mates while looking way more stylish

Never pay retail.

The only thing better than buying a great bit of clothing, is buying that great bit of clothing on the cheap. Summer is here, which means a load of retailers are having special offers and sales to get you to splash the cash. We've already written a guide as to how to buy trainers on the cheap: now we're going for your whole wardrobe. But remember: for the most part, a bargain is something you don't need, at a price you can't resist. Just because it's 40% off, doesn't mean you should grab it. Here are our top tips for buying clothes during the summer sales... Never stray from your usual style You a trainers and coats guy? Or more into trackies and snapbacks? When having a poke through the sales, it's important to think about how often you'd wear the item you're eyeing up. Just because it’s a bargain doesn't mean it belongs in your wardrobe. Try and buy pieces that sit alongside your existing wardrobe. Avoid whimsy. There's no point buying a printed barbecue shirt for £30% off if you never go to BBQs.   Have a fixed budget and do your research Think of your average summer sale like the football transfer window. It's all well and good spunking your load early, but then August comes along, your fresh signing has an injury and you have to increase ticket prices to cover their back up. (We *think* this analogy makes sense.) Be like Leicester City with your clothes shopping: have a fixed budget, do a bit of laptop scouting, then a real life browse before you buy a piece that slots easily into your system. A wise man once told to me to pay in cash when clothes shopping in real life. That way your brain understands that it's parting with money, you think more conservatively, and it helps you purchase with a clear financial conscience.  Also, If you prefer to buy your clothes IRL, departments stores often have preview sales, so it can be good to get pally with sales staff so you can get in on the sales act early. Yes, we're advising you to start tapping up clothes staff. Being stylish isn't easy.   Work your way down Some of the best sale reductions are found on designer brands, due to their higher selling price. They're also more likely to be still be stocked come the end of the season. Sometimes sticking your online shop to "Price: High to Low" can help you spot something good going cheap(er).   Buy out of season The best time to buy your winter coat is in July. With all eyes on grabbing flip flops and shorts for the summer holidays, the price of raincoats, chunky jumpers and winter boots are steadily declining. Stay woke. Have a deep dive of your favourite brands out of season. Buy your coats in summer and your shorts in winter.   If you can, try before you buy We know a lot of men prefer to do their clothes shopping online, but when it comes to sales, it can be useful to head to a physical store to try it on - it's the best way to sound check why the item was on the sale rail in the first place. Do your best to have an online scout and then check something out IRL. Every now and again a designer feature doesn't look quite as good day to day as it did on the display table; jeans can be too tight, coats too thin, and shirts too scratchy. Have a go first.  

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images For Paramount Pictures

Finally, enjoy yourself The main reason I wrote this is because I just grabbed a lovely camel mac coat for half price and I'm feeling pleased with myself. Buying clothes can be a pain for men but, it can be exhilarating when you do find something you like at a bargain price. Happy shopping folks.