Strategies to Spend Less on Clothing and Online Shopping in 2025
It's easy to spend less on clothing and other goods when shopping online. Arm yourself with these expert tricks and tools that will help you grab a bargain.
It’s always a good time to get a good deal. But as tariffs take effect on some imported goods — and as the Trump administration continues to negotiate tariffs with other countries — you may be especially interested right now in how you can save money while you shop.
Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine has taken the time to assess how you can find deals this year on investments, groceries, electronics, clothing, cars and travel, as well as how to take advantage of credit card perks — with a special emphasis on finding deals for products and services most prone to rising prices as the trade war evolves. In this article, we look at deals on clothing and online shopping. (See below to find links to our other articles about deals.)
The vast majority of clothing sold in the U.S. is imported, and much of it comes from China, which has been a top target for President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Use these strategies to stay on budget as you shop for apparel.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
A tried-and-true way to save money on clothing is to shop out of season — say, by buying summer clothes in the fall. You’ll often find off-season clothing on clearance racks at drastically reduced prices, says Breyana Wright, stylist and owner of style consulting firm Styled by Breyana.
Are you a member of Costco Wholesale or Sam’s Club? Look for brand-name clothes and shoes — especially activewear — at bargain prices.
Recently, for example, Sam’s Club sold a pair of men’s Adidas fleece pants for less than $12. You may find great deals on other types of clothing, too. Costco.com, for example, recently listed a Nicole Miller wrap dress for $20 on sale.
Shop secondhand
To find high-quality, gently used clothing, Anna LaPlaca, senior fashion editor of fashion publication Who What Wear, suggests checking out online consignment stores such as The RealReal, Poshmark and ThredUp. You may find steep discounts on designer apparel.
A men’s Polo Ralph Lauren jacket that typically sells for $350, for example, was recently available at The RealReal for $115.
On Poshmark, an Emporio Armani dress had an $89 price tag, compared with a $434 retail price.
And a pair of Tory Burch women’s heels sold for $34, compared with a standard price of $68, on ThredUp.
Another money-saving idea: Host a clothing-swap party with friends and family. Set clear guidelines for how many items you and your guests will trade and take home, and try to gather a wide variety of sizes for participants to choose from.
Get the best price with online shopping tools
Since the invention of the price tag, savvy shoppers have tried to divine the right time to buy an item they’ve had an eye on for the lowest price. And snagging bargains with coupons never goes out of style. The tools and browser extensions below automate these tasks.
CamelCamelCamel
Amazon.com shoppers can use this free website and browser extension to track fast-changing prices. You can see a history of price changes on products listed on Amazon and get alerts when the price drops on an item you’re tracking.
Honey
This browser extension, owned by PayPal, automatically applies coupons when you check out at more than 30,000 e-commerce sites.
Capital One Shopping
This online tool is available to everyone — you don’t have to be a customer of Capital One’s banking or credit card services to use it. Once you install the browser extension, it will apply coupons automatically at checkout and notify you when a price drops on an item you’re tracking.
Another feature: When you shop with select brands, you can collect rewards as a percentage back of your purchase, and they’re exchangeable for electronic gift cards.
SlickDeals
This mobile app and browser extension automatically applies coupons when you check out at retail websites. SlickDeals also features cash-back offers when you make purchases at select online stores.
Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.
Related content
- Valuable (and Fun) Things You Can Get for Free
- Smart Ways to Save Money at Museums
- How to Find Deals on Travel in 2025
- Don't Miss Out on These Four Credit Card Benefits
- Three Ways to Find Deals in Your Investments This Year
- Three Ways to Spend Less on Groceries This Year
- How to Find Deals on Electronics Amid Tariffs
- Surprising Ways to Find Deals on Cars Despite Tariffs
-
How to Plan a Microvacation That Actually Feels RestfulHow a simple long weekend can boost your mood, reduce stress and make winter feel shorter.
-
We're retired and fight more than ever. Should we take a break?Can taking a break save a marriage? We asked professional relationship therapists for advice.
-
Turning 59½: 5 Planning Moves Most Pre-Retirees OverlookAge 59½ isn't just when you can access your retirement savings tax-free. It also signals the start of retirement planning opportunities you shouldn't miss.
-
What to Watch for When Refinancing Your Home MortgageA smart refinance can save you thousands, but only if you know how to avoid costly pitfalls, calculate true savings and choose the right loan for your goals.
-
The 10 Best Splurge Destinations for Retirees in 2026Come for the luxury vacation. Retire for the lifestyle (if the vacay goes well). What better way to test a location for retiring abroad?
-
My First $1 Million: US Government Worker, 47, OverseasEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
What Changed on January 1: Check Out These Opportunities Created by the New Tax LawA deep dive into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reveals key opportunities in 2026 and beyond.
-
Beat the Money Blues With This Easy Financial Check-In to Get 2026 Off to a Good StartAs 2026 takes off, half of Americans are worried about the cost of everyday goods. A simple budget can help you beat the money blues and reach long-term goals.
-
Is Home Insurance Tax Deductible?With home insurance rates on the rise, you might be hoping to at least claim the cost as a tax deduction. Here's what you need to know ahead of tax season.
-
4 Simple Money Targets to Aim for in 2026 (And How to Hit Them), From a Financial PlannerWhile January is the perfect time to strengthen your financial well-being, you're more likely to succeed if you set realistic goals and work with a partner.
-
How to Be a Smart Insurance Shopper: The Price Might Be Right, But the Coverage Might Not BeChoosing the cheapest policy could cost you when you have a loss. You'll get the best results if you focus on the right coverage with the help of a good agent.
