Clothing codes — hand-picked for September 2026.

End of each season offers the deepest markdowns, so buy summer apparel in late summer and winter coats as spring approaches. Retailers slash prices to clear inventory for incoming stock. Buying classic, non-trendy pieces a season ahead means you save heavily on items you'll still wear next year.

Over time, well-constructed basics and outerwear usually cost less per wear, since they survive many seasons instead of pilling or falling apart quickly. Fast fashion has a low sticker price but a short life. For staples you wear constantly, paying more for durability is genuinely the more economical choice.

Policies vary, but many apparel retailers let you apply a sign-up or loyalty coupon on top of an already reduced item, especially during promotional events. Clearance and final-sale stock are more often excluded. Checking the coupon's exclusions before checkout tells you whether the discounts will combine.

They can be, especially for prior-season overstock and last-call clearance, where discounts run deep. Be aware that some outlets carry made-for-outlet lines at lower quality, so compare construction and fabric. For genuine overstock of a brand's regular products, outlet and last-call events offer real savings.