Best Time to Buy Winter Clothes

When is the best time to buy winter clothes? The discounts come around when the colder temps come around.

Every year, the cooler temperatures seem to come out of nowhere. And every year, inevitably, there are some people who can't remember where they stored their winter jacket or they forgot to buy their kids new boots that will fit. While those people may feel foolish for a few days, the fact is they are the smart ones. They are more likely to snag a good deal on winter clothes because they waited until it got cold.

Be patient and you can score a good discount. You may have to be a little chilly until then - or stuck wearing last year's fashions - but trust us, you'll feel warm when you see the receipt and realize how much you saved by waiting.

When to Buy Winter Clothes

Here are the best times of the year to shop for winter clothing:

• Go Shopping in December
  If you can wait until late December, you're in luck. The shipment of spring clothing will start arriving in February, so this is the time when retailers start clearing out old inventory to make room on the sales floor for the new arrivals.

  The best day of the month is December 26, which also happens to be the most popular shopping day of the year because retailers reduce the prices on any excess Christmas inventory. The selections will be more limited the further you get from this date.

• Wait Until January or February
  What's left of the remaining winter apparel will be offered at a drastically reduced rate at the beginning of February, if not late January.

  February is the sweet spot to purchase a winter coat. Reasoning? Well, stores need to make room for jackets that are more appropriate for the slightly warmer temperatures that are just around the corner. And since most consumers already have theirs hanging in the closet by this time, demand is low. Being patient will get you the best deal, but you won't have as many choices. If you're the picky type, you may not find the deal you're dreaming of, but if you're open minded, you can get a steal. Look for deals up to 80 percent off select apparel.

• Shop When the Stores Aren't Busy
  Usually the best day of the week to shop is Thursday, especially during the evening if you can get a head start on a weekend sale, which is when the salespeople are making markdowns (this does depend on the type of store, though). But it's also a good time because the stores can be relatively quiet, compared to a late Saturday morning, and you can take your time trying on coats and checking yourself in the mirror. You're not going to save any money by purchasing a coat or scarf that you bought on impulse, pressured by the crowds, and that you don't end up wearing. Another option is the take the store out of the equation altogether and use a clothing subscription service, such as Stitch Fix. If you've wondered "Is Stitch Fix worth it?" make sure to read our full review.

  Whenever you can, take some time to decide whether you're making a purchase because you truly need or want it —and not just because the price tag is to die for.

How to Save Money on Winter Clothes

1. Be patient
   Is there an item if you've been dying to get your hands on, but the sales price is too steep? If the item is moving slowly after six weeks, that's your cue to strike because markdowns are usually applied around this time.

2. Shop at discount retail outlets
   Stores, such as Burlington Coat Factory, Ross, Marshalls and TJ Maxx, carry inventory reduced anywhere from 25 to 75 percent off.

3. Give consignment shops a try
   The higher-end stores may have all the designer brands you're looking for at a much cheaper price than you'll find in a department store.