
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
1. Ask and you might receive. It won't always work, but sometimes all you have to do is ask nicely for a discount to get one. Next time you hit up your favorite store, try to get on the checkout line with an employee your recognize behind the register (if you're a frequent shopper there and you recognize them, there's a bigger chance you'll look familiar!). As they're ringing you up, ask if it's possible to get a discount on your purchase. This is more likely to go in your favor if you're just buying one thing, so don't be greedy — as when you're replacing your favorite jeans or buying a new pair of running sneakers, not mid-shopping spree.
2. Take care of your clothes. Dry-clean when the tag says to dry-clean, hand-wash nice lingerie, and don't let your floor double as a closet. Your favorite items will last a lot longer if you take care of them, and you won't have to replace them after a few months. This goes for shoes too. A $5 repair or touch-up on your favorite pair of heels every few months will go a long way in keeping them looking new.
3. Don't let gift cards go to waste — you can swap it for someone else's unwanted card on sites like cardavenue.com.
4. After an item lingers in stores a month or more, retailers start dropping its price to get it out the door, says Kathryn Finney, author of How to Be a Budget Fashionista. If you have the self-control, wait to grab it until six to eight weeks after an item hits the stores.
5. There's no worse feeling than finding out that your latest splurge went on sale days after you bought it. Before you hand over your credit card on a big purchase, ask if the object of your fashion lust is going on sale soon. The salesgirl might clue you in that a sale is coming up, or might even ring up the sale price right then and there.
6. Take advantage of buy-one-get-one-half-off sales and similar discounts — not by buying all that you can carry out of the store, but by clueing in your fashion-forward friends. If you're both craving a new pair of winter boots, hit the sales together and take advantage of the special deals.
7. Befriend the salesgirl at your favorite shopping hot spots. You don't have to friend her on Facebook, just make an effort to say hello to her when you're shopping, ask for her opinion on something you're trying on, and make sure you jump on her line when she's at the register. Be a familiar and friendly face, and she might give you a heads-up on sales or ring up a discount code for you once in a while.
8. Hit the stores on a weekday to make sure you get a good selection. Thursdays are ideal — you'll likely be able to take advantage of weekend sales while still having a big selection to choose from. If you go later in the weekend, your favorite stores are more likely to be picked over.
9. Get the best deals by stocking up on seasonal clothing right as the season is ending. Scour sale racks for short sleeves in November, sweaters in April, and bikinis in September.
10. We all have that one store that impairs our shopping judgment. Force yourself to stick to your budget and prevent impulsive shopping sprees — load up a store gift card with how much you can spend and leave your credit cards at home.
11. Thrift shops can be just as expensive as pricey boutiques, if not more so. But your friends' closets can be free. Organize a clothing swap with your chicest pals. Not the same dress or shoe size? Swap accessories — new scarves, headbands, bags, and costume jewelry are great ways to freshen up your style.
What recession? Keep your wallet padded with 39 more tips for saving money on commuting, your grocery shopping and eating out, taxes, and your energy bill.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
-
Inside One of the Most Exclusive and Dazzling Health Spas in the U.S.
The Golden Door in Southern California costs tens of thousands of dollars for a weeklong stay—and donates 100 percent of its proceeds to nonprofits.
By Michelle Stansbury
-
Kendall Jenner’s Hair at the Schiaparelli Fashion Show Was Easily Six Inches Tall
The model and 818 founder closed the runway.
By Samantha Holender
-
Red Is the Color for Fall Fashion, But It Also Belongs in Your Makeup Routine
Red lipstick is just the beginning.
By Emma Walsh
-
Red Club X Cartier Is Offering Invaluable Support for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
"The best way to predict the future is to create it."
By Sara Holzman
-
Yara Shahidi Joins Forces With Cartier Women's Initiative to Empower Entrepreneurs
"Giving back is essential to existing in the world."
By Sara Holzman
-
Fashion Test Drive: Chloe's Top-Handle Penelope Bag
This eye-catching bag also does good for the planet.
By Sara Holzman
-
Mindy Kaling's Custom Jonathan Simkhai Gown Is a Nod to Chanel Couture
"I feel so confident in this gown."
By Sara Holzman
-
Fashion Test Drive: Isabel Marant's Oskan Moon Bag
"The key word is versatility."
By Sara Holzman
-
What I Wear to Work: Poppy Harlow
The CNN host's key to a great wardrobe? Borrowing from her stylish friends.
By Sara Holzman
-
The Making of Ariana DeBose's Custom Versace Gown
"When I first saw it, I was left speechless."
By Sara Holzman
-
What I Wear to Work: Silvia and Sofia Tcherassi
"Waking up early in the morning is a must."
By Sara Holzman