Why I Never Skip the Clearance Rack

Jun 8
3 min read

This weekend I was out shopping with friends when I stumbled across the cutest jacket and a pair of summer shorts that weren't for me but were perfect for my friend. She walked away with both the jacket and shorts. After we finished shopping, my friend shared that she would have never seen those pieces if she was shopping alone because she never goes into the clearance section. Beyond my level of comprehension, I had to ask why? Now for her, the reason was she is more of an online shopper than in-store and, she hates racks with a lot of clothes on them.

I think there are also the people who think that “clearance” is a dirty word. They think the items in this section are here because there is something wrong with it. That could not be further from the truth. There are lots of reasons items get marked down; it might be out of season, could be the last one in that style, could have been an online only item that got returned to a retail store or sometimes it is just an item that didn’t sell the way the store thought it would at the given price point.

"Style doesn't have a price tag — but clearance racks have receipts."

I will admit, the clearance section is not for the weak. You must enter with a warrior’s mindset (slightly dramatic, I know, but kinda true). This means if you choose to accept this mission, you must approach knowing that there will be racks filled to capacity with clothes that shouldn’t all be on the same rack. There will be clothes thrown over racks. Clothes on the floor, not in actual size order. You will have to practice patience if you want to be successful. I myself, take great pride in walking away from the clearance section with new treasures. I don’t mind patiently flipping through the racks and scavenging for my size when I find an item I like. My friend had the same feeling about similar stores that require the same patience and determination; think TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls.

Now, I would be willing to bet she is not the only person who walks right past the clearance rack in a store. I am not one of those people! The clearance section is where I have found some of my favorite wardrobe pieces. My $7 cargo pants and my $10 sequin skirt that was perfect for my sister’s wedding rehearsal dinner.

Clearance is not just about saving money; it is also about opportunity. It is your chance to give a new style a try without investing too much before you know if you will like it or not.

It's not just about experimenting with style; clearance is also one of the smartest ways to plan ahead. It’s a great place to get a jump on your next season’s wardrobe must-haves; you don’t have to be in a season to start prepping your wardrobe for it. Did you see a winter coat you weren’t willing to break the budget on this year? If you are lucky, you might just find that or something even better when stores start looking to get rid of the last of their unsold winter items to prep for winter’s exit and spring’s arrival. Shopping off season is the real cheat code if you are wanting to add to your existing seasonal wardrobe without breaking the bank.

The shopper who is committed for the long haul (searching every rack, scavenging the items jammed into the crevices of the racks and testing your arm’s ability to hold all the items you have draped across it) comes out victorious. They will be the one who walks away with the best style.

The clearance section isn't for everyone, but maybe it should be. All it costs you is a little patience and a willingness to look past the mess. Shopping clearance is really just about staying open. Open to the unexpected find, the off-season steal, the style you never would have tried at full price. My friend walked away this weekend with two new favorites she almost missed entirely. Don't let the mess fool you. Sometimes the best things in the store are the ones you have to dig for.