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You need clothes-good clothes, stylish clothes.
You've been to the mall and everything is so expensive. Where do you go to get good quality clothing at reasonable prices? Fortunately, there are many, many alternatives to paying full retail for good clothing.
Closeout Stores
Almost a century ago, Edward A. Filene needed something to do with excess merchandise from his father's Boston department store. He took that merchandise to the basement and sold it for bargain prices. The city's black belt shoppers came and literally fought over the merchandise which he gradually marked down and eventually gave to charity.
Now Marshall's and TJ Maxx are the largest closeout stores today. Ross, Value City, Burlington Coat Factory, and Loehmann's are other national closeout chains.
In these stores you will find a surprisingly current and stylish group of clothing at bargain prices.
Outlet Malls
Though far away from most urban areas, this is another good source of inexpensive clothing. Here each manufacturer has a store where they sell much lower than in the mall.
Online Auctions
You'd be surprised what you can find in clothing. If you are specific about what you put into the auction house's search engine, you'll come up with what you are looking for without an unbearably long list.
For example, type in "Ralph Lauren shirt large" checking both title and description and you'll get a surprising number of hits.
If you need really good looking ties cheap, type in "Metropolitan tie" and you'll find ties from the Metropolitan Museum of Art-usually very expensive, but quite attractive, at good prices.
Recommendations of local experts
Many local shopping experts have segments on the news, websites, radio shows, and other ways of letting you know about their bargains. Check your local newspaper or watch your local news to find out who is your local shopping expert.
Consignment stores
These are great for high-end clothing and for children's attire. Here people bring in used clothing and get part of the profit. In one store I visited, the owner told me that some people will money never dry clean an item-they just sell it. Some society types don't want to be seen more than a very few time in the same expensive suit, so they take it to the consignment store after only a few wearings. Local experts often feature these on their TV segments or
websites.
Mall store sales
Malls are fighting back with special sales as more people use alternate sources of shopping.
Buy quality brands in classic styles toward the end of a season and you'll have a garment that will last you years.
Garage sales/thrift stores
Don't count these out, though you'll really have to search to get good quality merchandise. If you have the time and the patience, you can be rewarded with some finds.
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