5 Ways to Score Great Clothes in January

As a kid the best time to buy clothes is “Back to School” season. As an adult, the best time to stock up on clothing and fortify your wardrobe is January. The holidays are over, the crowds are starting to dissipate and shopping as a whole is more enjoyable. That doesn’t mean that you won’t still need at least a little bit of help scoring those great deals after the New Year. Here are five ways to get the best clothes possible this January

Method #1: Scour the Clearance Sales

Clearance sales are especially extensive after the holiday season is over. The stores you love have all loaded up on stock in order to meet the gift giving demand. Now that the holidays are over, they need to get rid of their excess stock as quickly as possible to make room for all of the summer clothing and styles that start rolling out this time of year. Really great clothing goes on sale for as much as 90% off. The trick to getting the best deals possible is to go early. So make sure you don’t wait until the end of the month to hit that Brooks Brothers clearance sale!

Method #2: Hit the Thrift Stores

The holidays are a time when people feel extra generous. They clean out their homes looking for food and other items to donate to food banks and thrift shops in the hopes of helping those less fortunate. People tear through their closets—wanting to be charitable but also clearing space for potential clothing based gifts. Their charitable nature is your gain—especially if you’re on a budget!

Method #3: The Internet

There are all sorts of places to shop for clothing online. You can get the same stuff you’d buy in the store—often for a fraction of the price if you shop for them on websites that specialize in extra stock. If you’re into one-of-a-kind items you can shop through designers’ independent websites to find great deals. The best part about this method is that you don’t have to deal with crowds or stuffy dressing rooms. Just make sure that the site from which you buy these items has a good return policy.

Method #4: Clothing Exchange

Now that the holidays are over, you and your friends are going to have to make room for all of the gifts you got. Why not clear out some of your older (but still in good condition) clothing and have a sweater swap (it doesn’t have to be limited to sweaters) with your friends? This way you get great new stuff but you don’t have to spend any money to get it! As an added bonus you’ll know that the clothes you loved so much are going to go to a fantastic new home (and you can always borrow it back temporarily later if you really want to wear a piece for something specific).

Method #5: Make Your Own

Clothing stores aren’t the only stores with fantastic clearance sales. Fabric stores also have to clear out excess stock at this time of year. Why not raid their surplus and use it to benefit your own wardrobe? Making your clothes can often be done for a fraction of the cost that you’d pay to buy the clothing already constructed in a store. If you don’t know how to sew there’s no time like the present to learn, right?

These are just five ways you can enhance your wardrobe this January.  If you get creative you can probably come up with at least a few others!