Not only are we cutting back on our holidays this year, says The Daily Mail, but we’re cutting back on our holiday wardrobes too: average spend is now £96, compared to over £111 two years ago. Here’s our splurge/save guide.

Save

• How gross are last year’s sweat-soaked sandals? Wear a pair of comfy Birkenstocks (Madrid, £32.95) or Havaianas (classics, from £17) for an entire summer and you won’t have to feel guilty about buying a new pair every year. And check out Marie Claire’s round-up of the best summer sandals under £25.
• Maxi-dresses: seriously, after two rainy summers in a row, how many unworn maxis do we all have lurking at the back of the wardrobe?
• Kaftans: yes, a lavishly decorated silk kaftan would look great on a yacht but you’d be far better off with a nice bit of drip-dry polyester if you want it to survive a good splashing by the pool. Try Peacocks (from £8); or this glam Next one (£28) gets good reviews.

Splurge

• Good quality sunglasses really are worth the money but if you are splurging, particularly on prescription lenses, it’s important to get it right. Top tip: go for big sunnies that cover your eyebrows to avoid spending the entire shading your eyes with your hand. These Mikey sunglasses from koodos are a steal at £30; or try Glasses Direct for cheap prescription shades.
• There’s nothing cooler than linen on a hot day - but only if it’s super-soft. The best linen gets softer with age; make a date in your diary for the 120% Lino sample sale, 28 May.
• Yes, you can buy a bikini for 99p these days but good quality fabric makes the difference between spectacular and saggy. How to make the most of an investment buy? Choose a supportive bikini that can double up as underwear, or get two looks for the price of one with a reversible set. On sale: some good buys on the Coco Bay sale rail and figleaves.com’s new designer outlet.

This week Reveal’s Beauty Director,  Georgia Goodall, lets us know about her best bargain buy and gives us a few tips on how we can all get such a good deal.

1. What is the best fashion bargain you have ever got and where did you get it from?

A tricky one, but probably my favourite gold Prada heels. I saw them in Selfridges and fell in love with them but couldn’t afford them and was gutted. But lo and behold, a couple of months later I was in there for the sales and there they sat - at less than half their original price. There was just one pair left and they were in my size. Yes, there is a god! This was a good two or three years ago and they’re still my favourites now.

2. Do you have any fashion bargain hunting tips?

Absolutely…

* Internet shopping is fantastic for bargains - just remember to check their returns policy because you won’t be able to try before you buy!
* Look for classic, timeless pieces rather than high-fashion stuff. These will last for more than one season, so will be worth their weight in gold.
* If you’ve bought some shoes you love and they go in the sale, don’t be afraid to buy them again in a different colour!

Keep your eyes peeled for next week’s top tips from one of Sugar’s super fashion journalists.

Age: 19

Occupation: Student

Mallori Kuhn, 19, a California native was a fashion eye ADORE as she brilliantly mixed the latest fashion trends of the season by adding her laid back California style with a little London city chic. “I love the assymetrical neckline! It cost only around 30 pounds and my metallic sandals were about eight pounds at Primark. I love how I can wear this outifit in any continent!”

How to get Mallori’s look:

- Black asymmetrical neckline playsuit from Miss Selfridges

-  Classic straw hat at Marks and Spencer

-  YSL handbag at Koodos

-  Gold metallic Kors by Michael Kors sandal at Koodos

• Glam up Zentosa’s fashion jewellery by the likes of Disney Couture and Kenneth Jay Lane for 10 per cent less with code thankyou10.
• Going camping? Save 15 per cent at Cath Kidston (excludes wallpaper and fabric) with code SREL until 8 June.
• There’s 15 per cent off casualwear for men and women at White Stuff with code rat2 until 31 May.
• Bag yourself some sunnies with 10 per cent off all orders at Glasses Direct until 8 June with code summer2009.
• For him: save 20 per cent on jeans and shorts at Boxfresh with code jeans20 until 30 June.
• Show him you love him with 10 per cent off men’s jewellery at Thorn with code TH1MVC until 10 June.
• This week at koodos: Bracher Emden’s crystal-encrusted bags (above) are selling out fast; Odille lingerie from tomorrow.

It’s no surprise, then, that canny old Asda launches its own range of £30 prom outfits and £35 tuxedos tomorrow; in the meantime, here are some more ways to shave the cost of your teen’s big night:

• Tammy at Bhs has some cute prom dresses, many at 20 per cent off; TopShop has prom dresses for £45; top them off with a Monsoon tiara.
• If as a group you hire your tuxes from Moss Bros, the store will donate 10 per cent back to your school.
• My Tuxedo’s silver package offers a tux, dress shirt and bow tie for £64.99.
• At koodos (above): we recommended TOFU for wedding wear last week and this black and white dress, £49, is just right for prom night too; Wilbur & Gussie’s poodle clutch, £55, has the aww factor and is something she will wear for years to come.

More bra bargains: lingerie brands at koodos include Karen Millen (left), Myla and Odille; Myla is currently offering 30 per cent off its best sellers; and make sure you put La Perla’s sample sale in your diary. It’s at Fourth Floor, 22 Newman Street, London W1T 1PH on 18 and 19 May.

• Love Hearts and Crosses is an online treasure trove of cute and quirky accessories - think Lolita sunglasses and vintage “Love is…” wooden pendants. Get 15 per cent off everything with the code BARGAINISTA.
• Time to show off your pedicure: gladiator sandals are among the trends on offer at Shudoo, which is offering a discount of 15 per cent with the code KOODOS until 11 May.

And now for the rest:

• Save 15 per cent on Brora cashmere with code STYLE09S until 31 May.
• Stock up on smalls with 15 per cent off everything at Lingerie Heaven; quote code save15 throughout May.
• Save 10 per cent at Karen Millen with code mvc09 until 31 May.
• Just in time for summer weddings, get 20 per cent off at Hobbs with code 20RED until 2 June.
• Save 20 per cent on Pied a Terre, Bertie and Nine West at Shoe Studio with code RED20PATBNW until 2 June.
• Snap up a gem at Coloured Rocks: there’s a 15 per cent discount with code GETLIPPY until 15 May.
• Get those feet out of hibernation with 10 per cent off Birkenstocks at Fitness Footwear; use the code Birkenstock10 until 12 May.
• This week at koodos: save up to 40 per cent on clutch bags from Wilbur & Gussie (sale starts tomorrow).

And finally, a couple of sample sales:

• Melissa Odabash swimwear, today, tomorrow and Friday, The 20th Century Theatre, Westbourne Grove, London, W11 2QA.
• Amanda Wakeley, 7-8 May, The Dreamvault, 36 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 8BQ (and if you can’t make the sale, you can also find Amanda Wakeley at koodos).

Well then, an elegant GOAT cashmere jacket could be just what you need and we have hunted down where you can get one for a snippet of the normal price.

GOAT SAMPLE SALE                          _
THURSDAY 14th May 09
12 am – 6 pm
FRIDAY 15th May 09
10 am – 5 pm

BASEMENT,
76 GLOUCESTERPLACE
LONDON W1U 6HJ
(T 0207 487 3401)

If you can’t make it to the big day do not fret, there are a few gorgeous Goat jackets available on koodos, but hurry as they are selling out quick.

In the meantime, here’s a suitably jaunty wedding guest outfit for under £100: TOFU silk ruffle dress £49 from koodos; leopard print slingbacks £25 from Next; bow clutch bag £25 from John Lewis.