Prices have already been cut, but they'll fall further as the real sales get under way throughout the country. Arm yourself to battle for the bargains with this guide by Deirdre McQuillan, Fashion Editor

ARNOTTS, Henry Street, Dublin (01-8050400).Sale starts Dec 27 at 9am (store open until 9pm) with discounts of up to 50 per cent on womenswear, shoes, lingerie and accessories. In menswear up to 40 per cent off formal and contemporary brands such as French Connection, Ted Baker, Strellson, Remus and Tommy Hilfiger.

ASHLEY REEVES, Stillorgan (01-2886276) and Rathfarnham (01-4934609) Shopping Centres. Sale started yesterday with 50-70 per cent reductions.

AVOCA, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow (01-2867466), and branches nationwide.Sale starts Dec 27 at 10am with up to 50 per cent reductions. Star buy: a "Narnia" coat from Anthology, a vintage-style coat in teddy-bear fur with embroidered jewellery was €399, now €199.

A|WEAR, Grafton Street, Dublin and 28 branches nationwide(01-6717200, www.awear.com).Sale starts at 9am on Dec 24 with up to 50 per cent reductions. Star buy: a check taffeta strapless dress was €40, now €20.

AURA, 94 Sandymount Road, Dublin 4 (01-6672377).Sale starts tomorrow at 10am with 45 per cent reductions. A Lutz red chiffon dress with bow was €550, now €300.

BELLA MAMMA, The Triangle, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 (01-4968598).Sale starts Monday Dec 29, 11am with reductions of up to 50 per cent. Rock 'n' Republic jeans were €360, now €179.

BENETTON, St Stephen's Green, Dublin (01-4781799).Starts Dec 27 at 9.30am with 30-50 per cent reductions. Star buy: flat knee-high suede boots (in six different colours) were €165, now €79.

BETH'S, 17 French Church Street, Cork (021-4274300, www.boulevardbeth.com).Sale started Dec 15 with 30-70 per cent discounts. Star buy: a Schumacher cashmere coat with quilted ski jacket was €1,175, now €500.

BROWN THOMAS, Dublin (01-6056666), Cork, Limerick and Galway and BT2 Grafton Street, Blanchardstown and Dundrum. Both sales start on Sat Dec 27 at 9am. In Brown Thomas, 50 per cent reductions on selected lines in women's wear, menswear, accessories, footwear, lingerie and home. At BT2 reductions of 20-50 per cent.

CARRAIG DONN, Westport, Co Mayo (098-26287, carraigdonn.com) and 19 branches nationwide.Sale starts Dec 27 at 11am with many items half price.

CARL SCARPA, all branches including Grafton Street, Dublin (01-6777846).Sale started yesterday at 9.30am with selected items half price. A high-heeled black patent boot was €225, now €110.

CHANEL, Brown Thomas, Dublin. No sale

CHERCHE MIDI, 23 Drury Street, Dublin (01-6753974) and 13a Rock View Road, Blackrock.Sale starts Dec 27 at 10am with 20-50 per cent reductions. A Vivienne Westwood handbag was €895, now €625.

CHESNEAU, 37 Wicklow Street, Dublin (01-6729199).This sale has an 8am start on Dec 27, with a lot of bargains in leather goods and up to 50 per cent reductions on their bestselling Mini Me in selected colours.

CLOTHES PEG, Sutton Cross, Sutton, Co Dublin (01-8321130).Sale already in progress with 30 per cent off a number of labels including Paul Smith, Jasmine de Milo, Georges Rech, Sand and Filipa K. A selection of wedding and occasion wear down by 30-50 per cent, 50-70 per cent off Sergio Rossi shoes and boots and Lulu Guinness shoes. Evening wear tops were €335, now €100.

CLERY'S, O'Connell Street, Dublin (01-8786000).Starts at 8am on Dec 27 with up to 50 per cent reductions across all departments.

CONSIDINE, Sheila, Lower George's Street, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin (01-2311925).Sale is already in progress with up to 50 per cent reductions and a special sale rail. Wool coats were €265, now €185 and skirts €165, now €95.

COPELAND, LOUIS, 39 Capel Street, Dublin (01-8721600, www.louiscopeland.ie), Pembroke Street, Wicklow Street, CHQ, IFSC Centre, Dublin Airport and Galway. Sale starts Dec 27 at 9am. Significant reductions in suits, coats, jackets and trousers with a good selection of larger sizes.

COSTUME, 10 Castle Market, Dublin 2 (01-6794188).Sale starts Dec 27 at 2pm with many half-price items. The downstairs area will have €100 and €50 rails representing 70-90 per cent reductions.

DEBENHAMS, Henry Street, Dublin 1 (01-8147200) and 15 stores nationwide.Sale starts Dec 27 at 8am with up to 70 per cent reductions. A Jasper Conran shoulder bag was €132, now €66. (Please check local stores for opening times).

DESIGN CENTRE, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Dublin 2 (01-6795718)Sale starts Dec 22 at 10am with up to 50 per cent reductions. A Kenzo astrakhan coat was €1,100, now €550.

DIFFUSION, 47 Clontarf Road, Dublin 3 (01-8331592).Sale in progress with up to 50 per cent reductions. All leathers and boots, for example, are half price. A black John Rocha felted wool coat was €1,609, now €449. Diffusion's "blitz" sale with up to 70 per cent off selected items starts on Dec 27.

DOLLS, 32b Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 (01-6729004).Sale starts at noon on Dec 27 with up to 70 per cent reductions on selected items. Star buy: A Sabyasachi patchwork brocade dress was €1,260, now €600.

DUNNES STORES, (01-4751111) nationwide. No information on sale available at time of going to press.

EDEN, 3 Market Square, Dundalk, Co Louth (042-9386739).Sales start Dec 29 at 10am with up to 50 per cent off John Rocha, See by Chloe, Paul Joe Sister, Betty Jackson and Tracy Reese. Star buy: John Rocha frock coat was €1,029, now €515.

FARRELL BROWN, Nassau Street, Dublin (01-6710068).Sale in progress, with up to 50 per cent reductions. Men's woolly jumpers down to €29 from €52 in a range of colours.

FITZPATRICKS, 76 Grafton Street, Dublin (01-6772333), Dundrum Town Centre and chq, IFSC Centre, Dublin 1. Sale already in progress with up to 30 per cent reductions on Dior, Fendi, Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs ladies shoes, 10 per cent off UGG boots and 10-20 per cent off Barkers and Grenson men's footwear.

FIVE SCARLET ROW, Essex Street West, Dublin 8 (01-6729534).Sale already in progress with all footwear half price and 30 per cent off clothing. Star buy: a Sharon Wauchob coat was €882, now €600.

GENTLEMEN PLEASE, 47 Main Street, Blackrock (01-2788788), 1 Adelaide Road, Glasthule, and 2 Townyard Lane, Malahide, Co Dublin.Sale starts Dec 27 at 11am with many items half price. A Girbaud coat, for example, that was €995, now €495. Check website www.gentlemenplease.ie for special promotions. From now until Dec 24, all purchases at Gentlemen Please will be effectively VAT-free.

HARVEY NICHOLS, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin (01-2910488).Starts 10am on Dec 27 with up to 50 per cent reductions.

HAVANA, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 (01-2602707).Sale already in progress with up to 30 per cent discounts. From Dec 27, selected items will be half price. A Comme des Garçons black wool coat was €2,190, now €1,530, and an Azzedine Alaia grey dress was €1,770, now €1,240.

HOUSE OF FRASER, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin (01-2991400).Sale starts Dec 27 at 9am with up to 70 per cent off across the entire store. Discounted design labels include Vivienne Westwood, Joseph, Helen McAlinden and Polo Ralph Lauren (for boys). A €478 taupe jacket and €239 roll-neck dress, both by Episode, are now €239 and €55.

H M, Dundrum Town Centre (01-2991502), Henry Street, Dublin 1, Gaiety Centre, Dublin 2 and stores nationwide. Started on Dec 16 with up to 50 per cent reductions.

HERMÈS, Brown Thomas, Dublin (01-6171165)No sale

HUGO BOSS, Dundrum Town Centre (01-2980000).Sale starts Dec 27 at 10am with discounts from 25 to 50 per cent. All Boss suits are now €499, with reductions representing about €200.

JEN KELLY, 50 North Great George's Street, Dublin 1 (01-8745983).Sale starts Jan 5 at 9am with 30-70 per cent reductions. A black silk velvet evening coat was €3,500, now €1,800.

KELLI boutique, 45 Ranelagh Village, Dublin 6 (01-4970077).Sale already in progress with 25-50 per cent reductions. Star buy: a silver evening coat was €739, now €369.

KILDARE VILLAGE, KILDARE (045-520501).Further reductions and clearances are already in progress with up to 75 per cent off already discounted items from Ted Baker, Karen Millen, Reiss, All Saints and Coast.

KHAN, 15 Rock Hill, Main Street, Blackrock, Co Dublin (01-2781646) and 27 Dominick Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath (044-9396908).Sale starts Dec 27 at 11am with reductions of 50-70 per cent. Star buy: A Schumacher shearling coat was €2,229, now €1,000.

KILKENNY SHOP, Nassau Street, Dublin (01-6777066).Sale starts at 9am on Dec 27 with up to 70 per cent reductions on fashion and accessories.

LES JUMELLES, 11 Upper Abbeygate Street, Galway (091-564540).Sale starts today at 9.30am with 30 per cent reductions across the board. Up to 70 per cent reductions on top floor. Star buy: an orange Issa dress was €690, now €480.

MARION GALE, 8 The Mall, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 (01-2697467).No sale.

MARKS SPENCER, Dublin, Cork, Blanchardstown, Dundrum, Blackrock and Liffey Valley. Sale starts Dec 27 at 9am with up to 50 per cent reductions across the board.

MICHAEL BARRIE, 20 Duke Street, Dublin (01-6715265).Starts Dec 27 at 10am with 30 per cent off suits and casual wear. Corneliani hand-made Italian suits reduced by 30 per cent.

MONAGHANS, 6 Royal Hibernian Way, Dublin 2 (01-6794451).Starts Saturday Dec 27 at noon. Many cashmere sweaters, blankets and capes half price.

MONICA JOHN, Sth Anne Street, Dublin (01-6790045), French Church Street, Cork and High Street, Bantry, Co Cork. Sale already in progress with up to 50 per cent reductions. Star buy: An Anglomania "Sunday Dress" (by Vivienne Westwood) was €430, now €215.

NELO MATERNITY, 39 Clarendon Street, Dublin (01-6791336) and 53 Roches Street, Limerick (061-207146).Sale starts Dec 27 at 10am with 60-70 per cent off maternity wear and related accessories. Good reductions on Juicy tracksuits, suiting and special occasion wear.

NO 6, Castle Market, Dublin 2 (01-6708846).Starts Dec 27 at 10am with 50 per cent reductions on vintage furniture, up to 50 per cent on all Helen McAlinden clothes and 60 per cent reductions on all Foxford products on the floor.

NEXT, 67 Grafton Street, Dublin (01-6793300) and branches nationwide.Sale starts early at 5am on Dec 27, though other branches may open as early as 4am (consult local stores for details), with up to 50 per cent reductions.

OASIS, St Stephen's Green and branches (01-67144777).Sale already in progress with up to 50 per cent reductions.

PAMELA SCOTT, 84 Grafton Street (01-6796655) and 13 branches nationwide.Sale already in progress with 50-70 per cent reductions.

PITT BOND, 19 Westbury Mall, Dublin 2 (01-6728976, www.pittandbond.ie).Sale already in progress with all labels half price.

PORTRERO HILL, Hibernian Way, Dublin (01 6330133)Sale starts Dec 27 at 10am with selected clothing reduced by 30-60 per cent, shoes half price and menswear less 30-40 per cent.

REISS, St Stephen's Green, Dublin (01-6712588).Sale in progress with 20 per cent off menswear, 30 per cent off dresses and 20 per cent off accessories. An Eva Frill dress was €251, now €170.

RICHARD ALAN, 58 Grafton Street, Dublin (01-6168906) and Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork. Sale already in progress with 50-70 per cent reductions.

RIVER ISLAND, Grafton Street, Dublin (01-6778257, www.riverisland.com) and branches. Sale starts Dec 27 at 8am with up to 50 per cent reductions across all departments.

ROCOCO, Westbury Mall (01-6704007), Glasthule Village and Cross Street, Galway; and Noa Noa, Westbury Mall and Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork.Sale starts Dec 27 at 10am with 25-50 per cent reductions. Star buy: a velvet winter coat by Sakiel (comes in red or navy) was €695, now €520.

SASHA, St Stephen's Green and stores nationwide (01-6602878).Sale already in progress with up to 80 per cent discounts including shoes. Quiz label not included. Star buy: a fly-front winter coat in black or red was €89, now €30.

SEAGREEN, 11 and 12 Monkstown Crescent, Monkstown, Co Dublin (01-2020130).Sale already in progress with up to 30 per cent reductions. Star buy: a gold foil dress (See by Chloe) was €549, now €439.

SMOCK, 31 Drury Street, Dublin (01-6139000).Sale started on Dec 15 with up to 50 per cent reductions. A cashmere and wool coat with pleated neckline by Akira Isogawa was €938, now €469.

SOUL, 23 Dunville Ave, Ranelagh and 2 Glasthule Road, Sandycove (01-2808895).Sale already in progress with 10-15 per cent off almost everything and Ugg boots that were €195 and €235, now €199 and €165. Orla Kiely bags were €170 now €127.

THOMAS PATRICK, 77 Grafton Street, Dublin (01-6713866).Sale starts Dec 27 at 9am with 30 per cent off Stuart Weitzman and Bruno Magli shoes. KMB boots reduced by 25 per cent and Italian boots from €99.90, 30 per cent off Gant shoes and boots and Camel Active shoes.

TOP SHOP, St Stephen's Green (01-6725009) and branches. Starts Dec 27 at 9am with 25 per cent reductions.

TULLE, 28 Market Arcade, South Great George's Street, Dublin (01-6799115).Sale started on Dec 15, with up to 70 per cent reductions. A red flower maxi dress by Leona Edmiston was €898, now €449.

URBAN OUTFITTERS, Cecilia House, Cecilia Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 (01-6706202) and Dundrum. Sale starts Dec 24 at 9am with up to 40 per cent reductions, 33 per cent off Anglomania by Vivienne Westwood.

LOUIS VUITTON, Brown Thomas, Dublin.No sale

ZARA, Henry Street (01-8045900), Dundrum Town Centre, Blanchardstown and Gaiety Centre. Sale starts Dec 27 at 9am with up to 75 per cent reductions.