When clothing goes on sale in the US
Last updated October 24, 2026
Retailers run sales all year, but markdowns tend to deepen at predictable moments. Timing varies by retailer and by year, so treat this as a rough guide, not a guarantee.
End-of-season clearance
Retailers clear seasonal stock to make room for new arrivals. Winter coats, knitwear and boots are often marked down from late winter, and summer dresses, shorts and sandals from mid to late summer.
Buying at the end of a season usually gets you the deepest cuts, but the remaining sizes and colours are limited.
Holiday weekends
Many retailers run sales around Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
The Friday after Thanksgiving and the Monday after it are among the busiest shopping days of the year. Many retailers start their deals early and run them for days or weeks.
Not every "deal" is a good price. Check it against what the item has cost recently before you buy.
After the holidays
Late December and January bring post-holiday sales, which overlap with winter clearance. Some retailers also run their own annual events, such as anniversary or warehouse sales.
Ways to avoid paying full price
- Check the clearance or outlet section of a retailer's site before you check the main one.
- Sign up for email newsletters. Many retailers offer a discount on a first order in exchange.
- Be flexible on size and colour. The best-priced options are often the ones that are left.
- Compare the sale price across retailers instead of assuming the first sale is the best.
Watch out for
- Final-sale items that can't be returned.
- Exclusions: many sitewide sales leave out new arrivals or particular brands.
- "Original" prices on items that were only briefly at that price.