Two Good Tips for Saving on Clothing Costs

On my post titled Save 50% on Clothes, I had a comment from a reader who offered two additional, money saving tips. Here's the comment:

Here are two other ways that I have found save a lot of money on clothing:

1. Outlet stores. Not the kind that cluster together in "Outlet Malls" - which are often just duplicates of their in-mall stores which only marginally lower prices. I'm talking about the true outlet stores. I went to the GAP outlet in Hebron, KY with my wife on Sunday, and I bought a Banana Republic dress shirt with a $59.99 price tag for $12.99 and a pair of GAP khakis that retail for $40 cost me only $6.99... of course, you have to carefully check each piece of clothing for defects, but there are gems in the bunch.

2. Costco. All of their clothing is typically more than 50% cheaper than retail prices. I am a particular fan of the Kirkland Select dress shirts. They cost $14.99, but rival the major brand $60 dress shirts in quality of construction. Costco is also a great place to buy jeans for very low prices.

Good ideas!

I shop outlets now and then (none in our area, but I hit some when traveling) and you can find really good deals on clothing. I haven't found the sort of deep discounts described above on very many occasions, but every once in awhile I do hit the jackpot. I'd say on average that I save 50% or so off retail prices.

I have never purchased clothes at Costco, but love the store because you can get some GREAT deals there and they back up what they sell with great customer service (unlike Sears). That and the fact that I'm usually too busy eating the samples to look at the clothes at Costco. ;-) I'm going to check out the clothes there next time we shop Costco. I'll let you know if I find any great buys.

Comments

[Dus10]

I picked up a $59.99 Nautica polo-style shirt at Sam's Club for $10.81! I also picked up a pair of Calvin Klein jeans that were normally priced at $69.99 for $22. The wholesale stores usually have some pretty great prices on clothes.

I was trying to see if I could make a business out of reselling the stuff online. At least on eBay, I would be making any money, but would probably just break even.

[Rhea]

I know where to find those outlet 'malls' but not the real 'outlets'. I wonder if there is a list somewhere. I also shop at Filene's Basement (I live in Boston). Great deals.

[VancouverGurl]

Great tip! Most people don't pay attention to the sales especially when it means getting the basic stuff at really good deals. Stuff like tshirts, tanks, and jeans which never go out of style are always on sale at the end of summer.

Also try shopping at second-hand clothing stores that offer good style but 10-20% cheaper than if buying new. Or even just selling old (but in good condition) clothes to these stores. Most of them are 40/60 or some 50/50.