I think there is a difference between these concepts, and it makes a difference for flexible and sensible shopping.

The "on sale" problems for me are not that you can't buy on sale, but that I shouldn't buy ONLY on sale, or always wait for sale, or buy things that aren't good, just because of "sale mentality".

It also doesn't mean that I would pay ANY price for an item I "love". I bought a couple of blazers at full price because the price was acceptable and worth the likely difference between losing out on the item vs. saving a percentage. I have "loved" some items that, sadly, or luckily, I would not pay full price for! I can also buy an item on sale that I would NOT pay full price for and of course in view of budget constraints we do get some very fun and game-changing items that way when we could not otherwise.

So, whether I'd pay full price for an item does of course depend on what that full price would be!

Conversely, I can buy a low-cost item that serves a specific purpose even it there are likely some better quality items available at higher prices.

Careful and more limited shopping makes it more likely that I can afford a higher cost item when I do find one, though it doesn't necessarily change me into someone who buys Armani (sigh).

I keep trying to keep these ideas in mind for wardrobe strategy. It's the item first--do I need it, will use it, it helps make dressing easier/more fun (style, capsules, weather needs) ; then evaluate the price and make a decision, which may be yes or no.