Clothing store shopping can end up costing you quite a bit of money, especially if you prefer trendy and seasonal designer clothes shopping. The good news is that you can save money when purchasing clothing. That’s especially good news in today’s crappy economy. :-(
To save money, you will have to some basic strategies and tactics in mind when you go shopping. The following tips are some helpful strategies that will enable you to save money on your next clothing purchase.
Avoid purchasing this season’s latest item in season. Remember that there are clothing lines created for each season. If you purchase an item that is considered to be out of season, it will generally be marked down. You will have to be patient and wait a few months.
When winter arrives, for example, the stores will be full of sweaters and coats, after a month or so, these items will put on sale. You can still wear these bargain priced items during what is left of winter and you can pull it out of your closet once fall arrives.
Factory Sales: when a factory sale occurs, you can often find items that are reduced by 40-90%. That is a huge savings! Shopping at a store run by the manufacturer is a great place to find clothing bargains.
Garage,Yard Sales, and Flea Markets: t these popular events and places you can often find cloths at extremely low prices. Sales that are run by families often have some great, inexpensive items and your chances are much better for finding quality clothing than at a sale that is run by a business (like a flea market).
You must refrain from purchasing clothing items just because they are inexpensive, because you might buy something you will never wear and that is a waste of money (which defeats the overall concept of saving money).
Store bargains: when visiting your favorite store, make sure to be friendly and pleasant with the sales clerks. Ask the sales clerks if they know when certain items are going to be put on sale (try to get at least 20% off of the original price).
Always buy items in two different colors and sizes. Children can go through sizes quickly so plan ahead for this. By purchasing discounted items you like in two different colors, you will add some variety to your wardrobe.
Online Shopping: ou can find many great deals by shopping at online clothing stores. Most clothing lines these days have their own online store where you can purchase their items.
Just like a physical store, an online store will put seasonal items on sale once new stock has arrived. By checking your favorite store on a regular basis, you can cash in on a bargain for an item you desire.
Sign up for mailing lists for your favorite stores and boutiques-by signing up you will be sent the latest catalogs and newsletters. This will keep you updated on what new items have arrived as well as which items have been placed on sale and on clearance.
Coupon cards and codes: you can often find coupon codes for your favorite online store that will offer some percentage off of your total purchase or the cost of an item.
Just search for "apparel" as a category and you will be offered the choice of various retailers. You can enter the terms "online coupon" (or you can try the phrase "coupon code") into Google (or whatever search engine you prefer) to search for deals at your favorite retailer.
Store Credit Cards: stores and boutiques often offer store credit cards. If you have a favorite store, it might be a good idea to apply for a credit card through that store. These credit cards often allow you to get bigger discounts than you would normally be able to get.
Card holders are also sometimes offered: birthday discounts and coupons, special coupons, and holiday discounts where you can get up to 15% off an item.
Credit card holders also get the added benefits of free shipping and being alerted to the arrival of new cloths and sales. Using a store credit card is only smart shopping if you pay your credit card bill immediately. Credit card companies are known to charge exorbitant interest and finance fees. If you do not pay the bill right away, you may unintentionally spend more money and not save any money.
Work part-time for your favorite store-some shoppers choose to get a part time job at their favorite store or boutique. By doing so, they not only earn some extra cash but will also be eligible for an employee discount. Of course, then your entire pay check will most likely be paid back to your employer. :-)
Clothing store shopping definitely costs money and sometimes even major money. But by being aware and paying attention, you can still find multiple ways to save money on clothing shopping, even in our recession/depression.
sheila says
I actually made my daughters read your article . Online shopping has really changed the way we shop today, and that also goes for the way we save money, too (especially on clothes).