The summer heat waves have just begun and autumn is a long way off, but stores are already holding end-of-season sales. While some stores are not offering any real bargains, others are screaming "50 percent off" from their windows. These are mostly the luxury stores, where prices are still high, even after the discounts. Even so, this is an excellent opportunity to buy high-quality items that will serve you for at least a few more months, not to mention next season and thereafter.

The trick is not to be enticed by clothes that are too trendy and short-lived, which may look almost ridiculous next season. For example, you're better off avoiding all the flashy, psychedelic prints inspired by the 1970s and 1980s. Avoid things that scream "summer 2007," but rather go for clothes that can be enjoyed over the coming years. A tour of the fashion chains, as well as the luxury stores, reveals a large selection of items currently worth buying.

A last word of advice: Even if you can't afford to buy anything, take a tour of Kikar Hamedina in Tel Aviv to soak up some of the high fashion from around the world - to learn about the quality of the fabrics, the cuts, the stitching and the finishing touches of top designers. This will ultimately help you choose items in more affordable stores.

	Advertisement

Most of the stores in Kikar Hamedina have started their end-of-season sales with 40-50 percent discounts. At Amor (74 Heh B'Iyar Street), you can find timeless items from Missoni at 50 percent off, including brand-name bathing suits, and sequined, beaded, embroidered tops by Matthew Williamson (who also designs for Pucci). Amor also sells items by Chloe, Fendi, Etro, Roberto Cavalli for the more daring, Dolce & Gabbana and others. A tailored pinstriped Dolce & Gabbana pantsuit costs NIS 4,600 after the discount, tailored pants are NIS 1,000, and white button-down shirts with a removable plastic collar cost NIS 1,300.

Enigma is offering fashions by Christian Dior, John Galliano and Alberta Ferretti, and classic, timeless items by Celine, among others, at discounts of 40-50 percent. The extreme attention to detail and the effort invested in these items is crystal clear.

At Helga Designs, where the end-of-season sale will begin tomorrow, you can find items by Prada and Miu Miu, as well as Yves St. Laurent, Schumacher, Lanvin, Pucci, bags by Bottega Veneta, shoes by Jimmy Choo, and more. Helga Designs is offering a 30-percent discount on bags and accessories, 40 percent off clothes and 50 percent off shoes. A few sample prices, before the discounts: A white dress by Prada Sport goes for NIS 3,200, and a crocheted dress by Dianne von Furstenberg, NIS 3,000.

Minima (54 Heh B'Iyar) is offering a 30-percent discount on classic items designed by Nava Rabin. Check out the rack of short black dresses, linen pants (NIS 1,200) and cotton blouses. The conservative designs by Giorgio Armani for Emporio Armani (72 Heh B'Iyar) are also on sale at 20-50 percent off.

More mature women should check out Milos, in Gan Ha'ir (71 Ibn Gvirol), where prices have been reduced by up to 50 percent on fashions by Escada Sport, Rena Lange, Piazza Sempione, George Rech, Laurel and others.

Miss Lagotte-Amica has discounts of 30-50 percent on items by Weil, as well as on some lovely designs by Belgian designer Oliver Strelli (sold only at the Kikar Hemedina branch and in Jerusalem at 8 Ramban Street). A long linen dress with elbow-length sleeves by Weil costs NIS 1,155 after a 30-percent discount, a gold jacket (the metallic look will continue into the coming winter) by Oliver Strelli is now NIS 1,600, and a white buttoned blouse with elbow-length sleeves costs NIS 343.

As always, the big chain stores are promoting Israeli designers with end-of-season sales and are featuring fashionable summer clothes at quite affordable prices. Mango, Pull and Bear, and Zara have cut prices on their summer collections by up to 50 percent. At Zara, for example, a trench dress goes for NIS 300 and a sporty jacket - which will be perfect for next season - costs NIS 300. At Castro you can find a selection of nice dresses ranging from NIS 160-300. Broad belts, which continue to be in fashion, are NIS 60. Bermuda shorts are NIS 200, with matching tailored jackets for another NIS 200.

Honigman is offering a 25-percent discount on a variety of skirts, with a 50-percent discount on a second item. And Irit is offering knee-length satin pants inspired by Jean Paul Gautier, now half off, for NIS 200. Tailored skinny pants are also NIS 200 after the discount.