Discounts in stores begin in mid-summer and grow each week. By mid-August, shelves often show deep 70% reductions. Many shoppers wait for the final days to maximize savings, yet usually only one item competes for attention on the sales floor at a time. July tends to dismantle top-quality models and items that are ready to move. For instance, at the start of a summer sale season, bargain hunters can clear out the best floors on day one.
In many markets, shoppers approach sales with a straightforward mindset: compare the lowest marked price, try the item, notice flaws, and still buy because it is discounted. This habit may not improve personal style or build a strong wardrobe; it can instead clutter it with pieces that feel like compromises.
What to buy on discount
Before diving into a sale, experts agree it is wise to take a quick inventory of the existing wardrobe and clearly identify what is missing.
“The focus should be on items that offer lasting value and can be worn often. Key pieces that endure across seasons matter, and it is smart to consider demi-season options that work into fall wardrobes,” explains a stylist who previously served as fashion director at a leading magazine.
Another stylist recommends prioritizing versatile pieces such as cotton or wool jackets, tailored trousers, and closed-toe shoes. This category also includes straight-cut shirts, basic color tees, dependable jeans, and neutral sweatshirts that pair well with many outfits.
A personal stylist cautions about buying only summer items during the summer sale window. “Watch whether items remain relevant toward the end of the sale; seasons shift, and designs can lose their appeal,” she notes.
During these sales, leftover stock from spring and winter lines often becomes available, making outerwear and winter footwear excellent buys in July or August when prices are at their lowest.
Why avoid spending on trendy pieces?
Beyond models, buyers should assess fit and basic style. Sales rarely offer enough timeless essentials; many items are trend-driven—platform shoes, low-rise silhouettes, bold minis, bright pinks, sheer fabrics, and other echoes of a past era. Trends can fall out of favor quickly, so delaying purchase of such items is prudent.
Influencers can influence decisions, but the guidance is to focus on what truly fits one’s personal style rather than chasing items “as seen on others.”
Could the quality of sale items be questionable?
Quality is a crucial consideration because sales often feature stock that did not sell in the prior season. Some pieces may show wear before reaching the customer. “These items have lived a cycle, and low-quality signals appear early,” notes a stylist. Common indicators include loose hems, weak seams, strained shoulders, or visible fabric flaws. If the fabric is a blend that uses natural fibers, the garment tends to feel more durable. In any case, even a fashionable look fails to impress if the craftsmanship is lacking.
How to know if a discounted item is really needed?
Facing a new piece can trigger strong emotions and bargaining impulses. A universal guideline is offered by a stylist: if a product wasn’t purchased at full price, it might not be worth buying even at a discount. This simple filter helps prevent impulse purchases.
A second stylist suggests evaluating how a potential item would integrate into the existing wardrobe. “Bring along 6 to 7 outfit ideas. If the piece doesn’t fit, it’s perfectly reasonable to return it to the store,” she says.