Fall is my favorite season for fashion, and when new styles start hitting stores well before summer’s end, it’s tough not to be tempted by them. Despite 90-degree temperatures, I find myself jonesing for full-price sweaters, coated skinnies and wool peacoats.
Now that fall is finally here, my desire to update my cool-weather wardrobe is even more intense. As a thrifty shopper, I know it’s smart to wait until the end of the season to pick up styles for the best prices. As a fashionista, however, I’d much rather have this season’s trend during this season. With that, here are six ways I save on in-season styles.
1. Know the trends.
NYFW wrapped up earlier this month, but designers showcased their pieces for spring 2015, which isn’t terribly helpful for those of us living in four-season climates. Fall 2014 trends debuted in February of this year, and included several looks from prior seasons. Knowing about these trends ahead of time will save you from buying duplicate looks and styles. For example, all your oversized sweaters and anything oxblood from last fall will transition perfectly into this season. You can also keep spring’s black-and-white graphic looks and darker florals in your outfit rotation for fall!
2. Compare prices.
While TJMaxx and Marshalls are my go-to sources for discounted fashion, a recent experience reminded me to always compare prices. I found a Calvin Klein Jeans moto denim jacket for $59.99 at Marshalls and snatched it up despite the price. On a whim, I searched for it online a few days later and was shocked to find the same jacket on Amazon for a little over $41. I also found a $59.99 pair of Ivanka Trump ballet flats from TJMaxx for $10 less on Amazon. Bottom line: Regardless of how good a deal you think you’re getting, it’s always wise to look around before buying.
3. Use discount gift cards.
The beginning of any season offers little in discounts and promotions, which is where gift cards come in handy. You can purchase discounts for less than face value through sites like GiftCardGranny.com, where a Bloomingdale’s gift card can be had for over 11-percent off. Same goes for 7 For All Mankind (12-percent off), Ann Taylor (28-percent off) and Express (19-percent off). These built-in savings are especially handy during sale time!
4. Find coupons and codes.
This is a no-brainer, but many consumers can’t be bothered with clipping coupons. This is a huge mistake given the digital options available these days. Over two-thirds of Americans own smartphones, which means these deals are literally at our fingertips. From coupons to cash-back to price comparison, there are loads of free apps out there to help you save on apparel. For a list of the very best, check out this roundup of top shopping apps from CNET.
5. Shop smart for labels.
The label lovers among us are especially in need of money-saving tricks, since luxury fashion is always pricier than everyday threads. Designer collections offer price relief without sacrificing style, so keep track of fall collaborations between Kohl’s and Elie Tahari, H&M and Alexander Wang, and Target and Joseph Altuzarra. Then, look for coupons to deepen discounts even further; for example, you can find loads of online coupons to Target from sites like CouponSherpa.com, including $5 off your women’s apparel purchase of $25 or more.
6. Go quality for classics.
I can relate to shoppers who have a hard time dropping close to $100 on a single garment of clothing that’s cheaply made, even if it has timeless style. I’ve recently overcome this by researching alternative outlets that focus on quality construction and materials. Everlane, for example, offers such classic looks as cotton v-neck tees ($15) and 100-percent silk button-ups (less than $100), while also providing details about their markup and manufacturing practices.
