How to save on clothing basics

Smart strategies for finding deals on everything from tights to tees

• Search clearance sections.

  Type "clearance" into the search field of a retailer's website. Hanes.com and Jockey.com, for instance, regularly offer discounts of 50 percent on bras, panties, and tights. Hue.com, known for its legwear and lingerie, has a clearance section that offers many items for nearly half price.

• Register with www.shopittome.com. Check off your size, favorite brands (choose from 537 labels, such as Ann Taylor and Levi's), and clothing preferences (dresses, denim) and you'll receive a weekly or daily e-mail alerting you to online sales.

• Get a store credit card. Certain big retailers give special discounts to cardholders. Kohl's sends out 30 percent off coupons four times a year, Gap cardholders get 10 percent off the first Tuesday of the month, and American Eagle gives 20 percent off on your birthday. (See Credit Cards 101.)

• Log on before you hit the stores. About to head out to Nordstrom (or Bloomingdale's or Lord & Taylor)? Go to the store's site first to look for specials, like unadvertised in-store sales and buy-one-get-one-free offers. You may also find printable coupons you can take with you.

• Time shopping to coincide with sales. Gap and Banana Republic, for instance, both mark down midweek. Shop on Wednesday and you'll find a large selection of sale items. Ask favorite stores about their policies.

Tip: Before you place an online order, look for discount codes at retailmenot.com and mybargainbuddy.com.

The Experts
Kim Danger is a family-savings expert for coupons.com.
Karen Hoxmeier runs the site MyBargainBuddy.com.
Helen Malani is the chief shopping authority for the search engine Shopzilla.
Jaci Rae is the author of Shop for a Day with Jaci Rae (North Shore Records, $26. www.amazon.com).

Written by Maura Kelly for Real Simple.

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