How To Shop For Clothes And Save Money

Clothing costs can be a huge part of a household budget. And if you have multiple people in your household including growing kids it can be even more expensive.

So what can you do to cut down on your clothing costs other than not buying clothes? Here are 9 tips that can help.

(I am not a financial expert. All information is based on my own personal experience and research. This information is not meant to be financial advice and is just for educational purposes. This post includes some affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission.)

1. Take advantage of clearance sales

Depending on the store and the sale discount you may not save as much as you would another way.

For me, shopping clearance sales are more of a convenience factor because I’m not a fan of clothes shopping and I can shop online and stock up. I like to shop clearance sales at stores like Kohl's, Macy's, and Maurices. 

For stores where I'm a credit card or rewards member like at Kohl's, I sometimes get an additional discount on the sales price.

2. Shop at discount stores

One of my favorite places to get good-looking tops, dresses, and purses at bank account-friendly prices is Ross. Probably half of the tops and dresses in my closet came from Ross. I’ve gotten Calvin Klein dresses for $20.

Other discount clothing stores with good prices include Marshalls and T.J. Maxx.

3. Shop the closets of family and friends

I don’t do this much anymore since pretty much none of my family and friends are my height or size but I did do it when I was younger. Sometimes my mother or aunt would have clothes that no longer fit them but fit me or clothes they realized were too young for them and they would give them to me.

Related read: 15+ Ways You Can Save Money This Year

4. Shop second hand

Places like Goodwill, Salvation Army, or consignment shops can be great places to find more expensive clothing items at greatly discounted prices. You just have to search for them. I know several people who have found high-end brand clothes and accessories at the Salvation Army for less than a fraction of the original price. A bonus is that these stores sometimes have their own sales like 50% off certain items.

Yard sales can be hit or miss depending on the neighborhood. I’ve found the best clothes can be found at yard sales in more upscale neighborhoods. You can find yard sales by searching on sites like Next Door or yardsales.com.

You can also find good second-hand clothing at discounted prices on sites like eBay.

5. Make your own clothes

This isn’t for everyone and isn’t necessarily a time saver but it can be a money saver. Growing up, my mom would sew Easter dresses for me and my sister. She would buy a pattern a couple of patterns in different sizes, some matching fabric, and use her sewing machine to make the dresses.

Sewing patterns cost only a few bucks and depending on the material that may only cost you a few dollars a well. So if you did it right you could create a wardrobe for a fraction of the cost.

You can find clothing patterns and sewing machines at places like Amazon.

6. Sell what you’re not wearing

You might not have realized it but selling clothes that you no longer wear can help lower the overall cost of the clothing you buy. The way it works is you get some money for the clothes you sell and then you use that money to buy new clothes. 

There are all kinds of apps and sites where you can sell your gently used clothes - eBay, ThredUp, and Poshmark.

Plus selling your unused clothes or clothes you no longer wear can help to make room in your closet.

7. Do a clothes swap

I’ve heard of parents doing this with clothes their kids have outgrown. It can also be done with adult clothes. Get together with your friends and family and you can trade clothing items you’re no longer wearing. This can be a great way to build a seasonal wardrobe.

8. Use cash back apps and sites

There are some cash back sites and apps you can use to earn cash back on your online and in-store purchases. The cashback percentages vary by store. While you don't always save the money initially it can save you money over time. Especially if you’re a heavy shopper.

My favorite cash back apps and sites are

• Rakuten 
• Drop

9. Shop during tax-free weekend

If you live in a state that has a tax-free weekend and clothes are one of the items that are tax-free do most of your shopping then. Several stores will have good or decent sales and may even offer coupons for additional money off. I tend to buy most of my clothes during my state tax-free weekend and save quite a bit.