Best Times to Buy: Clothing
Your wardrobe always benefits when you shop for clothing, but unfortunately, it’s not always beneficial to your budget. No worries, though; there are many times of year when you can fill your closet without spending a ton of money. Here are the best times of year to shop for clothing.
1. End-of-season sales
The best time to buy clothing for a particular season is when that season is on its way out, since retailers mark down inventory to clear it out and make room for new, full-price, collections. Lucky for you, the retail calendar is always a bit ahead of the rest of the world. Here’s how it plays out:
- You can start shopping for winter clothing at discounted prices as early as mid-January. Prices will continue to drop through early March.
- Spring clothing will be marked down in May and continue falling through June to make way for summer merchandise.
- You’ll find great deals on swimwear, shorts and other summer apparel in July and August as retailers make room for fall arrivals.
- If you’re looking for discounts on autumn attire, like jackets, jeans and flannels, shop for it October through December.
Pro tip: Keep an eye out for “additional percentage off” sales to score even bigger discounts on already-reduced items.
2. Post-holiday sales
The days and weeks following major holidays, especially in January and July, can be a goldmine for bargain hunters.
After the winter holiday season, retailers are looking to clear out unsold holiday merchandise. You can stock up on holiday pajamas and ugly Christmas sweaters that won’t go out of style at bargain prices.
Similarly, you can shop clearance sales in July for a fairly large selection of summer wear at fabulous prices.
Pro tip: If you know anyone working in clothing retail, ask them for special “friends and family” discount codes during these post-holiday sales to stack savings.
3. Back-to-school sales
The back-to-school season kicks off in late July and lasts through August, making it an ideal time to shop for basics like jeans, sneakers, T-shirts, and other casual attire. Fast fashion retailers, like Old Navy and H & M, will slash prices during this season, and higher-end department stores will host sale events in an effort to attract back-to-school shoppers.
Pro tip: Retailers often roll out “buy one, get one” (BOGO) offers during this time, making it easier to stock up on wardrobe staples.
4. Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are legendary for deals across nearly every shopping category, and clothing is no exception. The day after Thanksgiving and the following Monday see steep discounts on everything from luxury clothing to basics. Lots of retailers will kick off their Black Friday sales early, so start looking a week or two in advance to snag pre-sale deals. Cyber Monday offers even more online-exclusive discounts, allowing you to browse and buy from home without braving crowded stores.
Pro tip: Some retailers continue sales throughout “Cyber Week,” offering deals through the first week of December.
5. Amazon Prime Day: July
Amazon Prime Day, typically held in mid-July, features discounts on a wide range of items, including apparel and footwear. While Amazon’s big day started as a tech-focused event, it’s expanded to feature impressive clothing discounts, from athleisure brands to casual essentials.
Many big brands now piggyback on Prime Day to host their own sale events, so be sure to check out your favorite retailers, too.
Pro tip: Sign up for Amazon’s “watch” feature to be notified when clothing on your wishlist goes on sale during Prime Day.
6. Holiday weekends
When all else fails, shop the holidays. National holidays, like Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, bring significant sales on everything under the sun, including clothing.
Pro tip: Check both in-store and online options to get the best holiday weekend deals; some retailers may have exclusive online-only offers.
If your wardrobe is desperate for an update, but your budget didn’t get the memo, this guide can help you score the best deals on clothing throughout the year.