If there is one way I never expected to add style to my wardrobe, it was filling my closet with cheap clothes. But here is the secret to my sartorial success: shopping consignment and thrift stores. I saved between 65-85% on cheap clothes for men from designer labels in good as new condition. You too can find success shopping consignment and thrift stores! Here are just a few of the great deals I found:
Cheap Clothes for Men
- Levi’s 501 Jeans, $78 value for $12
- Vurt Shorts, $53 value for $7
- Calvin Klein Slacks, $80 value for $10
- BCBG and Claiborne Fitted Dress Shirts, $40 value for $12
- JoS. A. Bank Blazer, $199 value for $29
- Tumi Wallet, $88 value for $4
Consignment Stores
No two consignment stores are alike; they come in a wide variety and are often geared toward a specific customer. You may have to visit many to find a store that fits your style and budget. Items can be reduced up to 50-75% off already cheap clothes if they have been in the store 90 days or more.
Thrift Stores
The best deals I found have been at thrift stores. Beyond great deals, some thrift stores give back to the community. You can donate stuff you no longer need to thrift stores, and get discounts on already cheap clothes to maximize your savings!
Why the need for cheap clothes?
Here’s the good news: I was losing weight at a clip of about 5 pounds per week. My body was changing from ‘loose fit’ to ‘fitted.’ But in a span of a few short weeks, I was beginning to look like a sack of potatoes in my own clothes. The bad news was that I didn’t just need some new clothes; I needed a whole new wardrobe. I needed to buy cheap clothes, and fast.
Challenges in the hunt for cheap clothes for men!
There were two early roadblocks to my potential success. First, I was a man. Like many of the men I know, I prefer ‘buying’ a whole lot more than ‘shopping.’ One thing I knew for sure, however, was in order to get my hands on some cheap clothes, I was going to have to go shopping. Worse than shopping, I was basically on a treasure hunt.
Second, consignment and thrift stores are not organized like the stores I typically shop at. Instead of going directly to the brand you want to buy, you basically are looking through unsorted clothes on racks arranged by size. While this was a pain in the beginning, it actually taught me to be open to options that I hadn’t considered. Some of my best compliments have come on items I wouldn’t have sought out. I guess I was finding treasures after all!
