Whether you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe or snag great deals, knowing when to shop can help you save money and stay ahead of seasonal trends. Below, find out when summer clothes usually hit the racks and when stores are likely to offer discounts.
Why timing is important for clothing sales
A retail season is a specific annual period when consumer demand peaks for certain products. Retail seasons can be driven by holidays (Halloween, Christmas), cultural events (back-to-school), weather changes (summer clothing and winter clothing) and other factors. Retail seasons play an important role in determining when stores stock and discount clothing.
Most retailers will start stocking spring styles as early as January or February. Summer fashions may start hitting the racks in March and April. New seasonal clothing tends to sell at full price when first available. Some retailers may have special launch offers, but these discounts are usually small.
You'll typically find stores fully stocked with summer apparel by April or May. This ensures that customers have a variety of options as summer starts. Closer to the end of the season (late July or early August to September), retailers start offering clearance sales where customers can find significant markdowns on remaining summer items.
Whether you’re shopping early or waiting for a clearance sale, Citi Shop℠ can help you save. Available to eligible Citi cardholders, the Citi Shop browser extension lets you activate offers and complete your purchases to get automatic statement credits on your enrolled Citi card. Citi Shop also searches for coupons at checkout.
Best times to buy summer clothes
Timing your purchases well helps you take advantage of trends, enjoy mid-season promotions and save through end-of-season sales. The best time to shop depends on whether you value savings or style.
- Early-season shopping (March to May): Style-savvy shoppers know to hit the racks early-on to find trendy items that sell out quickly. Buying early also means you can wear your new clothes for the entire summer.
- Mid-season sales (July to August): Look for promotional events like 4th of July sales. Buying mid-season means you may have fewer options, but you may still find plenty of on-trend items and have access to steeper discounts.
- Off-season shopping (September to December): Buying summer clothes during the cooler months when the demand is lowest can mean getting the biggest discounts. Retailers often clear out leftover inventory to make space for winter and spring collections, offering larger markdowns.
Tips for saving money on summer clothes
These shopping strategies can help you stay stylish in the summer without breaking the bank.
- Compare online and in-store prices: While shopping in-store lets you try before you buy, you may be able to find a better price online – and vice versa. Compare prices online and in-store to make sure you have the best deal.
- Holiday sales: Holiday sales on Memorial Day and the 4th of July can be a chance to stock up on items you've been eyeing. Retailers and e-tailers alike tend to run sales around holidays.
- Clearance events: Keep an eye out for end-of-season clearance events
- Use a browser extension: A browser extension like Citi Shop automatically searches for offers at over 5,000 online merchants.
- Bonus tips: Subscribe to your favorite retailers’ newsletters for discounts. You may also find coupon codes and affiliate discounts on their social media channels.
Benefits of buying off-season
Another cost-effective strategy is buying summer clothing in winter. This approach can work better for online shoppers, as brick-and-mortar stores may not have as many summer clothing options on the floor during the off season.
Disclosure: This article is for general educational purposes. It is not intended to provide financial advice. It also is not intended to completely describe any Citi product or service. You should refer to the terms and conditions financial institutions provide for various products.
