Every year, American consumers spend billions of dollars on clothing. Unfortunately, overspending on clothing purchases is easy to do. However, changing your habits a bit can help you save money clothes shopping, sometimes allowing you to score a discount of as much as 70 percent off. Here are five easy ways to save money clothes shopping.
Make A List
Clothes shopping without a list makes it more likely that you will end up buying things you do not really need. Before heading to the store, take stock of what is already in your closet and make a list of things to buy to fill the gaps or to replace worn out items. Keep this list in a prominent place, like on your smartphone, so that you can refer to it easily while you are in the store.
Shop The Sales Racks
One of the easiest ways to save money clothes shopping is to stick to the sales racks during your shopping trips. These sales racks are typically filled with items the store has had trouble moving at regular price, so the retailer may be willing to sell them at a steep discount. For example, our local Kohl’s store has racks in nearly every department with clothing that is on clearance for 50 percent to 70 percent off.
Use A Sale Tracking App
Another good way to save money clothes shopping is to use a sale tracking app to find discounts and coupons on the things you want to buy. Apps like The Coupon App track the offerings of dozens of retailers and lists the sales available in an easy to understand format. Current offerings on that app include a promo code for 40 percent off at Gap, a promo code for 25 percent off at Eddie Bauer, and 20 percent off at Kohls and Old Navy.
Don’t Take Off The Tags
Many people have clothes they never wear hanging in their closet because the tags have been taken off and the item cannot be returned to the retailer. Instead of clipping off the tags as soon as you get home, leave the tags on until you can truly decide that you like the fit and the color. If you look at the item again in a week and decide you do not like it as much as you thought, you should be able to return it for a full refund.
Explore Consignment Stores
Consignment stores are an often overlooked place for saving money clothes shopping. These stores only take pieces made by designers of a certain caliber, so you can get great clothing for a fraction of the price you would pay for a similar item in a boutique store. These stores are typically located in more affluent areas, but you should be able to easily find them by searching the internet for nearby locations.