How College Students Can Save Money on Clothing

Katie Robin
4 min readJun 14, 2024

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College life often comes with tight budgets, and managing expenses can be a challenge. Clothing, being a necessity, can take a significant part of a student’s budget. This guide aims to provide practical tips for college students to save money while shopping for clothes.

1. Budget Planning and Prioritization

Set a Budget: Determine a monthly or semester-based budget for clothing expenses. Stick to this budget to avoid overspending.

Prioritize Needs Over Wants: Focus on purchasing essential items first, such as seasonal clothes or necessary footwear, before indulging in trendy or non-essential pieces.

2. Shopping Strategies

Thrift Stores: Visit local thrift stores or second-hand shops. These stores often have a wide range of clothing at a fraction of the price of new items.

Sales and Discounts: Keep an eye out for sales events, such as back-to-school sales, Black Friday, and end-of-season sales. Utilize student discounts offered by many retailers.

Online Shopping: Use online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and specific clothing websites that offer discounts and sales. Websites like RetailMeNot provide coupon codes that can help reduce costs further.

Store Loyalty Programs: Join loyalty programs of favorite stores to earn points and get exclusive discounts and offers.

3. Smart Shopping Tips

Buy Off-Season: Purchase winter clothes in the summer and summer clothes in the winter to take advantage of lower prices.

Quality Over Quantity: Invest in high-quality, durable items that may cost more upfront but will last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Basic and Versatile Pieces: Choose versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits. Basic items like elegant skirts, tops, and jackets are timeless and multifunctional.

Recommended Fashion Brands and Their Current Discounts

Cherley

Overview: Cherley is known for its trendy and affordable fashion, catering to young adults looking for stylish yet budget-friendly options.

Current Discounts:

  • Summer Sale: Up to 50% off on selected items.
  • Student Discount: Extra 18% off with a valid student ID.
  • Newsletter Signup: Receive a 12% discount on your first purchase by signing up for their newsletter.
Turtleneck Sleeveless Satin Midi Dresses
Plaid Print Button Up Doll Collar A-Line Mini Dresses
Casual Striped Print Slim Fit Ribbed Knit Tank Top
Floral Print V Neck Waistcoat Pocket Shorts Matching Set

Loragal

Overview: Loragal offers a wide range of fashion-forward clothing, from casual wear to chic office attire. The brand is popular among college students for its affordable prices and trendy designs.

Current Discounts:

  • Seasonal Clearance: Up to 50% off on end-of-season items.
  • Flash Sales: Regular flash sales with up to 80% off on selected items.
  • Bundle Deals: Buy 3, get 1 99% OFF on selected categories.
Off Shoulder Long Sleeve Ripped Crop Jacket Raw Hem Shorts Denim Matching Set-Pink
Vintage Off Shoulder Long Sleeve Quilted Cargo Pockets Denim Wide Leg Jumpsuit-Black
Patchwork Crop Top Elastic Waist Pants Matching Set-Gray
Denim Pockets Wide Leg Cargo Overalls-Blue
Solid Color Half Sleeve Hoodie Straight Leg Pants Matching Set-Khaki

Xpluswear

Overview: Xpluswear specializes in plus-size fashion, offering stylish and comfortable clothing for women of all sizes. Xpluswear’s collection includes casual wear, formal dresses, and activewear.

Current Discounts:

  • New Arrivals: 10% off on all new arrivals for a limited time.
  • Favorable Student’s Discount: 17% off with student code.
  • Holiday Sale: Up to 90% off on selected items during the holiday season.
Plus Size Daily Blue Shirt Collar Button Pleated Wide Leg Denim Jumpsuits
Xpluswear Design Plus Size Party Casual Silver Spring Summer Round Neck Short Sleeve Metallic T-Shirts
Xpluswear Design Plus Size Party Midi Dresses Elegant Black Mock Neck Tiered Tulle Long Sleeve See Through Mesh Midi Dresses
Plus Size Business Casual Pink V Neck Button Two Piece Pant Suits

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Katie Robin

Amateur photographer and fashion enthusiast. Majoring in journalism, focusing on fashion industry and bringing you the latest fashion information.