One of the rare silver linings to the seemingly endless recession is the seemingly endless sales at many of a girl’s favorite clothing stores. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t going to be a post about spending needlessly and foolishly, when we all know we should follow Suze Orman’s advice and save, save, save. BUT, if you do have a rainy day, petty cash, ‘frills and flights’ fund set by, you know, the one that counts all the spare change from your everyday purchases, where the odds and ends of salary go after paying for life’s necessities and, oh yes, saving, then I’m sure your local economy could do with a boost from it now and then. Of course, this being a new age of financial frugality, there are some new guidelines for what type of purchases make most sense if you really feel like you deserve a treat.

For me, cheap clothes that look cheap are out (were they ever in?), as are fashion flashes in the pan, colored manicures that chip after two days, and jewelry that i buy and never wear (i have a morbid fear of appearing overdone – always take jewelry off an outfit after at first putting it on).

Very much IN (or trying to be), are classic clothes, things that last, good quality products that i’ll hold onto for years, as opposed to months. I say trying to be, as i still struggle with the concept of ‘low cost per wear’. I.e. buying something that is initially, shall we say, “not cheap”, but that you end up wearing every day for 10 years, so the average cost per wear is very low. Buy less, buy better quality is going to be my new mantra, if i can stick to it. I still struggle with the “ooh, shiny, trendy” compulsion more than i like to admit for a 32 year old.

It’s in this spirit that I’ve been perusing the recent 70% discounts at UK high-end fashion chain, Reiss. I always loved this store when i lived in the UK, but could never afford to shop there. They have one outpost in San Francisco, at the Westfield Centre, and diving in there on Saturday before the much-awaited new Harry Potter, i saw several classic knits and quality leather handbags, at yes, 70% off. Worth a look if you can dive in, as they have a lot more in the store than on the Web site.

I’m also mulling the famed Barneys warehouse sale, taking place at San Francisco’s Fort Mason, from July 30 through August 9. I’ve heard crazy rumors of $25 Hudson jeans and $150 Louboutins, and lots of stories about the scuffles and scars otherwise sane women endure to get their hands on the goods. Can it be true? I guess i’ll have to drag myself down there to find out!