Gimme Some Oven

a simple guide to shopping the sales rack!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Here is a simple guide to shopping the sales racks at your favorite stores! | www.gimmesomestyleblog.com #sales #budget

The weather in Kansas City has been pushing me towards pretty intense spring fever. It is just cold enough to not really want to be outside most days, and then randomly we will have a sunny and 60 degree weather day that makes you think spring may really be here to stay. With that being said, when I shop I am constantly drawn towards bright cheery colors and spring dresses! The plus side to this is that right now the stores are having such great sales!

This past weekend my husband and I took a trip out to Lawrence, Kansas. He needed to drop off a guitar at Mass Street Music, I needed to shop. ;)  We hit up a couple of the local thrift stores and I hit the jackpot! I came away with 3 new dresses and spent less than 30 dollars for them all. How did I find such great deals?

I shopped in the clearance racks.

I am notorious for walking into a store and heading straight for the clearance. Sometimes I can be thrifty to a fault, but for the most part I end up getting great deals on items that I really love.

Tips for Shopping the Sales Rack:

  • Window shop early in the season
  • Make a mental or physical list of items that you are looking for
  • Set a budget
  • Stock up on items you use regularly
  • Shop for out of season, or going out of season items

Here is a simple guide to shopping the sales racks at your favorite stores! | www.gimmesomestyleblog.com #sales #budget

  • Window shop early in the season

With most stores items come in for each season and rotate out as the season comes to a close. I love to window shop at my favorite stores when the season is first starting. I pick out some of my favorite items and when they hit the clearance rack I snag them up. (This works especially well at Target I have found!)  The downside to this process is there is no guarantee that the item is going to still be there at the end of the season… so if you really love it and you notice the item is disappearing, don’t hesitate to buy it!

  • Make a mental or physical list of items you are looking for

When I plan to go shopping I always make a mental note of things I have been looking for or wanting all season. That way when I reach the racks of chaos that a clearance or sale can sometimes create, I already know what I am looking for. This helps me zone in on items that I really do want instead of just grabbing items because they are inexpensive.

Here is a simple guide to shopping the sales racks at your favorite stores! | www.gimmesomestyleblog.com #sales #budget

  • Set a budget

This tip definitely comes in handy every time I go shopping. I bring a certain amount of money with me or have a mental price cap that keeps me from getting a little to “sale happy”

Here is a simple guide to shopping the sales racks at your favorite stores! | www.gimmesomestyleblog.com #sales #budget

  • Stock up on items you use regularly

Sometimes when I shop in the sales rack I will see items that I wear on a daily or weekly basis that are going for pennies. (ex. socks, underwear, camisoles etc.) I usually take that time to grab a few of them. When you know that in a couple months your socks are going to be way too worn it is nice to have a few on hand that you got for a fraction of the price!

Here is a simple guide to shopping the sales racks at your favorite stores! | www.gimmesomestyleblog.com #sales #budget

  • Shop for out of season, or going out of season items

I know when it is 20 degrees outside the last thing you are thinking about is buying a sleeveless spring dress, but this is the time to grab those items! Like the dresses and skirts that I have shown above, you too can get great deals on items that you know you will love to have when the weather changes. It is worth it! And don’t forget about the going out of season items! Right now is a great time to get a new winter coat or maybe a hat and gloves set.

Shopping sales is one of my most favorite past times. I’m hoping this guide can spread the love of sales to all of you! Your wardrobe and your wallet will thank you! :)

Dress #1, #2 and #3:  Arizona Trading Company

Skirt: Charlotte Russe (Sales Rack)

Anyone else have any great tips for shopping the sales? I’d love to hear!

more by Liz »

Liz Stevens

My name is Liz. I dwell in the "Paris of the Plains" (aka Kansas City) and am married to my highschool sweetheart. Together we have a dog named Veda and a 1976 VW bus. Both of which we love like they are our children. :) I write about all things pretty. I hope to leave people feeling hopeful and inspired as I share my little ideas with the interweb. Enjoy! Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

7 comments on “a simple guide to shopping the sales rack!”

  1. Great tips, I’m a big fan of sales too, why pay full price when you don’t have too :) it’s nice to see a Midwest blogger on here, I live in Nebraska :)
    Ginny
    mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com

    • Ginny!

      Love it when I find out a blogger is close by! We can totally relate to this crazy weather right!?

  2. love these cute, whimsical picks. I really need to garner up the patience to shop clearance racks in stores – I mainly head for the internet to avoid the chaos :) Cute blog by the way.

    • I just now started shopping online in the past couple months and it has opened a new world to me! Thank goodness for cyber sales right? ;)

  3. You have always been able to find the cutest stuff for great prices! Thanks for the tips!! I love all of these!

  4. Ah, yes, I head to the clearance racks every time! You have to look, but sometimes you really do find the best stuff.
    Isn’t That Charming.