This is a good thread. I:
- notice what is missing when I put my outfits together (a black top, a belt, a shoe etc). These items end up on the mental "to get list" and if I see any of these items that I want, I can buy them without further consideration. I might even go out searching specifically for these, but we know that never is the way to come across really great stuff, right?
- take in inspiration from people on the street, some magazines and pictures. I travel a bit so get to see different street styles, even though not all of my destinations are fabulous fashion cities. Here it is about boiling down the essence of the inspiration - what makes that girls outfit something extra, how do I feel about shorts, that new cut should work soo well with my body-type, will I wear more white this summer and then how, which of my old clothes can stay around and do they need new accessories or companions (see above)?
- I do go shop to fall in love. Take a round just to see whats out there and see if something sticks. The best buys are usually those that never were planned but when they happened it was like it was meant to be. These pieces tend to never be cheap. I´ve bought a stunning pair of sky high heels for three times my then monthly "pleasue-budget" and a shiny party top for the price of a long and thourough visit to the dentist. The mileage I've gotten out of these items is absurd and though they joined my wardrobe around the turn of the century I love them dearly and regularly rope in compliments for them. I did refrain from buying a lovely, perfect and type-sought after Burberry coat for the price a few flights - I have a long distance relationship and could not sit at home wrapped in supple lovelyness and whine that I miss him but can´t afford to go see him because I bought a coat ... (still changed my mind and had the bloody coat sent between shops in Germany - where the price was jacked up even higher - but it never caught up with me and I still miss it!).
- Underwear and such is my moneysaver; no more Calvin Klein, H&M all the way!
- Sales are cheap, yes, but I seldom find anything good. It is hard to fall in love among too packed clothes and people (I am weak and I benefit from a good display) and they never have the right size and dressing room capability is always in as short a stock. The risk of getting something "ok" just to not have suffered in vain is too large. ALSO, when buying anything remotely non-high-street, I find a good feeling in paying for good things. If a small designer does a great dress, why should she/he live on scraps from sales? Credit where credit is due, but there is somthing to putting your money where your mouth is ....
LAST BUT NOT LEAST (when you dont remember all principles and good intentions, remember this
Apply "cost-per-worn-time" to your prospective purchase. This justifies gorgeous heels and protects you from useless cheapo things that doesnt match your existing wardrobe and will wash into uggglyshape in two laundydays anyway.
I still somewhat regret something I didn't buy more than 20 years ago 
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I know what I like and don't like, but when it comes to forming a highly budgeted wardrobe, my mind is scattered. When I see something in the store that I like, I have a hard time visualizing how it all will work. I need a few firm basic guidelines before I just start buying a lot of things.
and get different things, not always just a variation of the stuff I already own.
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