Source: Limeroad
In many parts of the country, the crisp fall air is turning into ice, rain and snow. That means it’s time to put away the shorts, tank tops, swimsuits and sandals and bring out the jackets, sweaters, scarves, pants and boots. Not a problem – until you remember that your teen son went through a growth spurt during the summer and his jacket from last year is now two sizes too small. Or you realize that your puppy chewed up your expensive snow boots.
Ideally, it’s best to shop for winter clothes and accessories during the spring and summer – when you’re least likely to need them. That’s because the prices are better. Although it makes sense in theory to shop for winter clothes during the winter, the lack of sales mean you’ll typically be paying top dollar for the things you need.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. If you look hard enough, you can still find some great deals on winter gear. It all has to do with where you shop. *Hint: Skip Macy’s and Nordstrom.
Walmart has great deals on just about all of your daily essentials, and clothing is no exception. You can find sweaters for you and your children of all ages for under $10 each. You can find jeans for yourself for under $20, and under $10 for the kids. Need a jacket? Walmart has a variety of options for under $30. So skip the $300 coats at Macy’s and get one for a tenth of the price.
Target has tons of stylish clothing options at great prices. As far as jackets go, there are many styles and choices, but the prices are a bit higher than Walmart. Expect to pay $30-$50 for a jacket, which is still a great deal compared to other stores. Kids’ pants range from $8-$20. Need a scarf? Target has hundreds of them in every color and pattern imaginable, all for under $20.
Old Navy is almost always having some sort of sale, so there’s no excuse for buying clothes at regular price. When shopping online, take advantage of promo codes to save 40% on your purchase. Right now, long-sleeve shirts are just $5, with sweaters and jeans up to 50% off. Pants start at $15 and jackets start at just $25. Hats start at just $5.
Forever 21 is like heaven for fashionista children, with trendy clothes at cheap prices. Most items are under $15, with jackets costing around $25. Note that the clothes are not necessarily the best quality, so expect them to last only a winter season or two.
This is another good choice for fashion forward kids. Most girls’ and boys’ clothing can be found for under $20. Sweaters start at $6.99, and pants and dress shirts are just $10. Shopping for yourself? Denim starts at just $9.99, and you can find jackets and coats for under $100.
Kohl’s has a lot of great deals on clothing – if you buy them at the sale prices. That’s not too difficult, considering that Kohl’s is always having some sort of sale or promotion. Long-sleeve shirts can be found for under $10, with jackets for under $50. You can get snow boots for under $50. Beanies are also on sale. Shop online and get free shipping on $50. Use a promo code to save even more. Plus, if you spend a certain amount, you’ll get Kohl’s Cash to use on a future purchase – in case you forgot something.
Thrift stores get a bad reputation because people tend to avoid used clothing, but they’re missing out on great deals. Frugal shoppers swear by thrift stores, which tend to have a variety of winter gear such as pants, boots and jackets. Although the items are used, they’re in great condition. You can get your entire family outfitted for under $10 an item, with some gear as low as $5. That’s much better than paying $20-$30 per item elsewhere.
We can’t forget Amazon, which has everything we could ever want, including winter clothes. From sweaters to snow boots to jackets to hats, Amazon has thousands of products in each of these categories. You’ll get to choose from the largest selection available at excellent prices. Be wary of sizes and shipping times, however, especially if you’re buying from a third-party seller and not directly from Amazon. Some items come from different countries, so you may not be familiar with the sizes. Be sure to look at the size chart before placing an order. Along the same line, items coming from different countries will take longer to ship. It’s not uncommon for some items to take a month or longer, so if you need something right away, choose a faster shipping option or shop locally.
Unfortunately, winter and Christmas come at the same time. Having enough money for both can be a challenge, but by shopping at the budget-friendly stores listed above, you’ll be able to shop for winter clothes and have enough money left over for Christmas presents.
