20 Ways thrifty people save money on clothing

20 Ways Thrifty People Save Money On Clothing

ByVictoria Updated:

Clothing a family does not have to be expensive. With a bit of planning, you can put these thrifty tips into practice and save hundreds of dollars each year on your families clothing needs.

20 ways thrifty people save money on clothing

20 Ways Thrifty People Save Money On Clothing

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1. Yard Sales

Before yard sale season begins make sure to write down either on paper or in a note app. the measurements, sizes and clothing needs of each member of your family. Be sure to bring this list as well as a tape measure to each and every yard sale with you so you can make wise choices of what to buy and what to leave behind.

If you hit a really good sale where you are purchasing a large amount of  items don’t be afraid to ask for a bulk discount. For instance if you have $20 worth of clothing ask if they will take $15 chances they might say yes they might counter with something in the middle, or they might say no, but it is worth it to ask.

2. Clearance Rack

My number one tip for clearance racks is wait for the second round of discounts unless it is a “got to have it today because I will go naked” need.  All stores mark down their stuff at least twice before they hit their rock bottom price and some stores do it more. Policies vary from store to store so get to know those of the clothing stores you love.

3.  Daily Deal Sites

4. Discount Gift Cards

I often purchase discounted gift cards to Aeropostle or Old Navy at 5 to 10 percent off their value and then combine them with email coupons and store clearance rack finds for a triple hit discount.

5. Thrift Stores

You can find great deals on like new clothing in thrifty stores. Here are some articles I wrote about finding the best deals in second-hand stores.

Yes, that is a 3 part series on Goodwill. There are a lot of Goodwills in our area, and I have learned to maximize my savings there over the years.

6. Join Store email lists

Over the years I have saved a significant amount of money printing coupons and using  that were sent to me via email.

7. Look in those FREE magazines

I sign up to receive free magazines every chance I get, not just because I love reading magazines as I am winding down for sleep but also because I find great coupons off clothing within their pages. I have found coupons for stores like, Lands End, Coldwater Creek, The Children’s Place, Gymboree and more in the pages of the free magazines I read.

8. Repurpose what you have

Little boys shorts can make excellent little girls skirts. Jeans with holes in the knees can make great shorts. If you have basic sewing skills you can alter and adjust clothes to give the longer use.

9. Accept Castoffs

No matter what people give to you accept it with a smile. Word will spread that you accept hand me downs and soon you will have enough to share with others, especially if you have little kids.

10.  Buy Clothes In More Places Than Clothing Stores

I buy my boys their summer shorts each year at Sams club.  I buy all our socks at Big Lots. These 2 stores are not places you would think to buy clothes but often their prices can’t be beaten.

11. Buy Less

I limit my clothes to having to fit in one dresser without needing to shove, and to taking up no more than the current amount of wooden hangers I own.

Others take it further, like Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom, who blows me away with her 6 outfit closet. Believe me I have seen her in real life and she looks amazing. Her 6 outfits are well chosen pieces, that suit her figure and coloring while reducing time and money spent on clothing.

12. Buy Classic Pieces

I have had a simple black dress in my closet now for over ..I think 6 years now. It comes out of the closet for special events only and I dress it up with various accessories, and different shoes each time. I always get compliments on it.

13. Buy Quality

Quality sometimes means you have to pay more but not always. For instance I have two pairs of simple winter boots that I paid $10 each for at a thrift store. They are 100% leather and a very well know brand. They came with a $100 clearance price tag attached to them (yep previous own never wore them). I get compliments on them year after year. My $10 a pair price is going a long long way.

I also have owned several Land’s end swimsuits, which are super thick and long lasting (I get 3 years out of each suit and I swim a lot) . I buy them in September when they are marked down to as much as 90% off (although sometimes I have had to pay 75% off prices).

14. Set Cost Per Item Limits

I won’t pay more than $5 for a workout shirt.I don’t glisten I sweat and so it doesn’t take long for my workout shirts to get gross even after washing them after every wear.

I won’t pay more than $1 a pair for socks and I am picky about the quality.  I won’t buy my running shoes unless I can save at least $20 on them some how (whether it be store sale, store coupon, discounted gift card or all combined).

These price limits may be my best weapon for when it comes to keeping the cost of our clothing budget down, as it makes me stick to my thrifty practices and scout out sales like a lion looking for prey.

15. Clothes Swap

I got to attend my first clothes swap last year and loved it. For more information on how to host your own clothes swap enter “clothes swap” into the search area on Pinterest. When I did dozens of articles popped up.

16. Consignment Stores

I don’t shop at consignment stores all that often because honestly I find better deals for clothes at other sources, but I do like consignment stores for specialty items such as gymnastic outfits, or Easter dresses. There clearance racks are also often a treasure trove of good deals on barely worn clothes.

17. Consignment Sales

These are different than consignment stores due the fact that they are usually only 1 to 3 day events. Again prices are higher than some other sources listed but I do love them for harder to find items in the second hand market. For instance when my son was little he was a slim fit, and I knew for sure that if I went to a consignment sale I would find a few pairs of slim pants, but finding them at yard sales was well….slim pickings.

18. Shop Discount Online Stores

When I was looking for a new swimsuits to do laps in, I asked the ladies swimming in the lap lanes next to me where they got their suits. They told me about SwimOutlet.com and I couldn’t believe the amazing deals to be found. Make sure you deal is not lost in high shipping costs (search retailmenot.com for a free shipping code) and of course you need to really know you size well so that you don’t spend money shipping items back.  What are you favorite discount clothing shopping sites?  I would love to hear about them in the comment section

19. Stay Out Of The Stores

Window shopping almost always leads to buys that we did not need. That unbelievable sweater for 75% off is not a steal of  a deal if you already own enough sweaters. Try to not be in the stores unless you really have a genuine need to be.

20. Take Advantage Of Cashback Sites And Apps

 TopCashBack

Top Cash Back offers cash back at stores that I couldn’t find in other cash back programs. I also like that you get more cash back money when you choose an Amazon card over a PayPal payout.  That additional 2.5% makes TopCashBack cash back deals often higher than any other online cash back company.

 MrRebate

Offering rebates at 2000 different online stores, MrRebate is worth checking out.

Ebates

Ebates run great promotions that can result in high cash back values for stores like Walmart, Old Navy and more.

Ibotta

Ibotta is so much more than a grocery rebate app. It offers rebates for online clothing stores as well. Use my referral link (the words in blue) to receive a credit.

Bonus Tip: Online Consignment Stores

ThredUp

I have used ThredUp numerous times for both my daughter and I. Thredup has clothes for infants, kids, teenagers, and women, as well as purses, shoes, and accessories. (get a $10 credit to ThredUp when you sign up through my referral links)

 Swap.com

Swap.com consigns infant, kids and maternity clothing as well as toys and other child-related items.

Poshmark

Poshmark has a website and an active app where owners of the articles of clothing list them for sale. The selection is amazing. If you love great deals on name brand clothing and don’t mind them being gently used try Poshmark. To join Poshmark download the app, during sign-up enter my referral code SNAILPACER and receive $5 in shopping credit (offer could change at any time)

Available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon–get your copy here!