The cheapest times to buy clothes often coincide with major sales periods. Clothing retailers tend to mark down prices on seasonal merchandise to make room for new inventory. Knowing when these sales happen can help savvy shoppers score great deals.
After-Christmas Sales
One of the best times to buy inexpensive clothing is during the post-holiday sales in December and January. Retailers are eager to clear out fall and winter inventory to make room for new spring merchandise.
Shoppers can expect to see discounts of 50-75% off or more on cold weather apparel like coats, jackets, boots, sweaters, gloves, and scarves. Both department stores and clothing retailers will slash prices on these items. After-Christmas sales often last through early January.
Example After-Christmas Sales
| Retailer | Sale Period | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Macy’s | Dec 26 – Jan 2 | Up to 60% off coats, sweaters, boots & more |
| Kohl’s | Dec 26 – Jan 2 | Up to 70% off winter fashion & accessories |
| JCPenney | Dec 26 – Jan 5 | Up to 60% off coats, jeans, pajamas & more |
As the table shows, major department stores start their after-Christmas sales on December 26th and run them for one to two weeks with deep discounts on winter apparel and accessories.
End-of-Season Sales
Another great time to find cheap clothes is during end-of-season sales in January, April, July, and October. Retailers are looking to clear out their current seasonal merchandise before transitioning to the next season.
For example, heavy discounts on winter coats and boots can be found in January as retailers switch over to spring merchandise. Look for sales on shorts, swimsuits, and summer dresses in July as fall inventory starts arriving.
These end-of-season sales typically offer anywhere from 40-60% off regular prices. They affect seasonal categories like:
- Winter coats, jackets, boots – January
- Swimsuits, shorts, sandals – July
- Tank tops, flip flops, dresses – October
Savvy shoppers know to stock up on deeply discounted seasonal items during end-of-season sales. The trick is buying them in the off-season and saving them until next year.
Back-to-School Sales
July and August bring big back-to-school sales with plenty of discounts on kids’ clothing and college apparel. Retailers like Kohl’s, Target, and Old Navy run large back-to-school promotions each year.
Savings events will include deals like:
- 20% off kids’ clothes
- $10 jeans for kids & adults
- 30-50% off backpacks
- BOGO 50% off girls’ leggings
- Up to 60% off college apparel
July is a great time to stock up on discounted shirts, pants, and other essentials for kids heading back to school. College students can save big on dorm room decor, bedding, and supplies during this time as well.
Example Back-to-School Sales Calendar
| Retailer | Sale Period |
|---|---|
| Kohl’s | July 15 – Aug 15 |
| Target | July 15 – Sept 10 |
| Old Navy | July 23 – Sept 5 |
| JCPenney | July 25 – Sept 5 |
Major retailers run back-to-school promotions for anywhere from 3-8 weeks in July and August. Notably, Target extends their sales event into September.
Memorial Day Sales
Memorial Day lands in May, which serves as the unofficial start of summer. Retailers celebrate the long weekend with sales on warm weather clothing.
Look for specials like:
- 30-50% off summer dresses
- BOGO 50% off swimsuits
- 25% off shorts
- 20% off sandals & flip flops
The deepest discounts are on summer items that didn’t sell the previous year. Shoppers can score swimsuits for as little as $5 and sundresses for $10 or less during Memorial Day sales events.
These offers last through Memorial Day Monday, with some extending into June. It’s a great chance to get discounted summer gear before the season hits full swing.
Notable Mentions
Beyond major sale holidays, there are other times of year when inexpensive clothing deals can be found:
Early November
Retailers mark down select fall merchandise to make room for winter inventory. Look for deals on sweaters, outerwear, boots, and cold weather accessories.
April
Spring merchandise gets discounts as stores switch over to summer inventory. Great month for deals on dresses, shorts, swimwear, and sandals.
Cyber Monday
Online version of Black Friday with web sales on clothing and accessories for the holidays. Usually 30-50% off or more sitewide.
Father’s Day
Menswear gets marked down in mid-June around Father’s Day. Good time to score deals on men’s shirts, shorts, swim trunks and more summer apparel.
Tips for Getting the Lowest Prices
Here are some pointers to make sure you’re getting the best possible deals on cheap clothing:
- Sign up for email alerts – Get notified before sales start.
- Shop at off-price retailers – Stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, and Ross have constantly low prices.
- Check clearance racks first – Deeply discounted items are buried on these racks.
- Ask about price adjustments – Get refunds if items drop lower in price.
- Use coupons & promo codes – Retailer’s websites offer exclusive deals.
- Shop on weekdays – Weekend crowds make for the best deals already being picked over.
Following these tips will ensure shoppers get the lowest prices all year long.
Conclusion
In summary, the cheapest times to buy clothes and accessories coincide with major end-of-season retail sales events. Holiday weekends like Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day offer deep discounts on seasonal merchandise like swimsuits and sandals. Back-to-school sales in late summer can yield incredibly cheap kids’ apparel and college must-haves.
But the very best deals on clothing arrive once the season is over. Look for rock bottom prices on coats, boots, and cold weather gear during the after-Christmas sales in January. And heavy markdowns on swimwear, dresses, and warm weather apparel pop up in January, April, July and October as stores transition to new seasonal inventory.
Savvy shoppers can stock up on deeply discounted apparel during these sale sweet spots, saving them big year after year. Knowing the cheapest times to shop helps budget-conscious consumers stay on trend while still saving money.