The very fact that you’re here reading this tells us that you want to look more stylish. But just because you want to dress better doesn’t mean you want to spend an excessive amount of money to get there.
Thankfully, stores need to blow out their merchandise from time to time, and you can benefit from that if you know which stores to hit. You might leave emptyhanded sometimes, but if you’re willing to shop around, you’ll be able to find some incredibly fashionable items for super cheap.
While most of these retailers have websites, if you want to get the good stuff, you’re going to need to find one in your local area and you’re probably going to want to roll in and do some shopping early in the day.
1. T.J.Maxx
Online Store: Yes, but the best stuff is in the store.
Men and Women: Yes
When it comes to discounted brand name clothing, T.J.Maxx is the first store that comes to mind for most people. They offer a wide range of clothing and accessories for both men and women, though the stores are definitely heavier on clothing for ladies.
Everything at a T.J.Maxx is reasonably-priced, but if you dig into your local T.J.Maxx’s clearance section, you’ll find even more gems at prices that might actually shock you. Like all clearance sections, it’s going to be hit or miss, but you might just find the exact item that your wardrobe needs.
2. Marshalls
Online Store: Yes, but the best stuff is in the store.
Men and Women: Yes
Marshalls tagline is “Never Boring. Always Surprising.” That’s a very appropriate way to describe what you’ll find at the TJX-owned store (the same company that owns T.J.Maxx). The two stores are quite similar, and if you’re lucky enough to have one of each in your town, you should almost always be able to find something that works for you.
The biggest difference between Marshalls and T.J.Maxx is that Marshalls has a larger shoe department while T.J.Maxx has a fine jewelry department. Also, you’ll typically find higher-end merchandise at T.J.Maxx, so if you’re looking for something from a more expensive brand, you’re more likely to find it at T.J.Maxx.
3. Burlington
Online Store: Yes, but the best stuff is in the store.
Men and Women: Yes
Burlington Coat Factory always used to say “We’re more than great coats,” and that’s the perfect way to describe the store. It’s very similar to a T.J.Maxx or a Marshalls in that it sells brand name clothes for quite a bit cheaper than you’d find them at your normal department store.
If you spend some time digging through the clearance section at your local Burlington, you’re almost certain to find something that matches your sense of style. There’s a website that sells plenty of good stuff for cheap, but as is the case with all of these types of shops, you’re going to find the best deals in your local store.
4. Ross Dress For Less
Online Store: No
Men and Women: Yes
Ross Dress For Less is a competitor to the TJX brands and Burlington. However, the store is known to carry items that are even cheaper, but you won’t find the same level of high-end brands that you’ll get at T.J. Maxx or even Marshalls.
You’ll need to head to your local Ross Dress For Less if you want to shop there, as the company doesn’t have an online store. But if you’re lucky enough to have one in your area, it’s definitely worth adding it to your clearance rack rotation.
5. Kohl’s
Online Store: Yes, but the best stuff is in the store.
Men and Women: Yes
Kohl’s is a giant department store that sells everything from clothes to small kitchen appliances. If you just go into the store and look at the normal section, you’ll see pretty standard prices (though Kohl’s does offer a lot of sales and coupons that you can stack together to save more on full-price merchandise).
The real gem of your local Kohl’s store is the clearance rack. Kohl’s definitely doesn’t like keeping merchandise sitting around, and as such, it blows clothing out at prices that are crazy low. Whether you want jeans, shirts, chinos, skirts, blouses, or even shoes, you’ll find great deals at Kohl’s. Of course, it’s a clearance section, so your shopping trips might be hit or miss, but the hits make it worth the effort.
6. Costco
Online store: Yes, but selections vary greatly from store to store
Men and women: Yes
Costco might not be the first place you think of when searching for stores for clearance clothing. However, the wholesale club often has steep discounts on name brand designer clothing, shoes, and accessories. The only downside is you’ll have to pay for a membership, so Costco is only ideal if you also want to score great deals on groceries, furniture, and other items too.
While there’s not a dedicated clearance section, most clothing at Costco is already available at clearance prices, often as much as 50% off or more the regular price of other stores. As an alternative, check out Sam’s Club, which works the same way as Costco.
7. Amazon Outlet
Online store: Online only
Men and women: Yes
Unlike other clearance clothing stores on this list, Amazon is online-only. While you’ve likely shopped at Amazon before, you might not know about Amazon Outlet. This is essentially Amazon’s clearance section for overstock and items being phased out. What this means for you is discounts on designer brands.
Everything is still new, but you could score a brand new pair of UGGs or a Lacoste shirt for half the regular price. You can filter by premium brands or look for even bigger deals with the overstock section.
8. Consignment Shops
Online store: Sometimes
Men and women: Yes
Consignment shops are some of the best stores for clearance clothing. Yes, it’s usually secondhand clothing, but that’s also great for the planet. However, reputable consignment shops carefully inspect all items to ensure they’re in great shape before re-selling them. You can usually find local stores in your area, which usually have a clearance or discount section to help you save even more.
If you don’t want to drive around, check out these great online consignment shops that all have regular sales on their already discounted merchandise, including designer brands:
- TheReelReel – Only top designer brands here
- Tradesy – High-end designer clothing
- ThredUp – More budget-friendly and high-end fashion
You can also try these sites to get premium brands at major discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return clearance clothing?
Always read the store’s policy about returns before buying, especially online. Clearance clothing is sometimes non-returnable as it may be a style or brand the store is no longer going to sell after that season.
Sometimes, it’s better to shop for clearance clothing in store so you can try it on and avoid buying something that doesn’t fit quite right. Some stores do allow you to buy online and return in store to make things easier.
Why can't I find my size?
Unlike you usually racks of clothing that typically have multiples of every size, clearance clothing is limited. You won’t always be able to find your size. To have the best chance of getting clearance clothes in your size, shop clearance events as early as possible. While items might get marked down further, the selection decreases every day.
Will I find more variety online or in-store?
For stores with both online and physical stores, you’ll find a different variety of items in every store and online. The online store often pulls from inventory in physical stores, so you may find more variety by shopping online. But, not every store follows this practice. So, if you can’t find something online, try looking in your local store to see if they have the style and size you’re looking for.
While looking for clearance clothes, see how to save money by wearing cheap jewelry that looks expensive.
Image credit: Unsplash
