Discounts and offers Clothing and Shoes

Saving on clothes and shoes in the UK

Clothes and shoes are among the things we buy most often, and in the UK the weather alone keeps wardrobes busy. A waterproof jacket, a warm winter coat, light layers for summer and sturdy boots for wet days all compete for the same budget, often within the same year. The good news is that fashion offers plenty of chances to save.

Between seasonal sales, a steady flow of discount codes and a choice of high street, online and outlet shops, a bit of planning can take a real chunk off what you spend on clothes each year.

The UK fashion sales calendar

In British fashion, prices follow the calendar, and knowing it is the simplest way to stop paying full price. The year opens with one of the biggest clearances of all: the Boxing Day sales roll straight into January, when shops make room for spring collections and winter coats, knitwear and boots tend to see the steepest reductions. Spring brings smaller mid-season sales, plus offers over the Easter weekend and the two May bank holidays, when plenty of retailers run weekend-only deals.

From late June the summer sales take over, a good time to pick up linen, sandals and swimwear just when you need them. The August bank holiday and the back-to-school weeks are prime time for kids' clothes and school shoes, while autumn builds up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, now a fixture of the British shopping year. December rounds things off with Christmas offers on partywear and gifts. Many shops also open their sales early to newsletter subscribers or members, so signing up a few weeks ahead can get you first pick of the sizes.

High street, online or outlet?

Where you shop affects what you pay. Online-only retailers such as ASOS change their prices quickly and often run codes that work on sale items too, which makes them a natural starting point when you want plenty of choice.

High street chains usually save their deepest reductions for the end of the season, and using click and collect means you can skip the delivery charge on a smaller order. For premium labels, outlet villages and online outlet edits sell past-season stock for considerably less, and the gap gets even wider during the January and summer sales.

Specialist shops are worth a look too. For trainers, retailers like JD Sports and Schuh stock several brands side by side, so you can compare similar styles and colourways and go for whichever has been knocked down.

Fewer, better pieces: getting real value from the sales

A discount is only a saving if you actually wear what you buy. The sales are the ideal moment to invest in pieces that last for years, like a wool coat, leather boots or a good pair of jeans, because a percentage off a bigger price tag means more money back in your pocket.

Designer and luxury retailers such as Flannels take part in the main sales too, which can bring premium brands within reach. A quick way to judge an offer is cost per wear: a coat you wear every winter for five years can work out cheaper than a bargain you only put on twice.

Kids' clothes and school uniform

Families in the UK start with an advantage: children's clothing and footwear are zero-rated for VAT, so kids' sizes don't carry the 20% VAT added to adult clothing. The rest comes down to planning. In England, schools are expected to keep the number of branded uniform items low, so plain basics like trousers, skirts, polo shirts and jumpers can be bought anywhere, often in multipacks from supermarkets and high street chains.

Many schools also run second-hand uniform sales, a handy way to pick up the logo items for less. For everyday wear, brands like Boden are worth keeping an eye on when the sales start, as colourful kidswear gets marked down and you can buy the next size up in advance.

Know your rights when you buy online

Buying clothes online comes with a built-in safety net. Under UK consumer law you generally have 14 days from delivery to cancel an online order, which takes some of the risk out of trying a new brand.

What varies is the cost of sending things back: some shops offer free returns, others take the cost of postage out of your refund. Checking this before you order, along with the minimum spend and expiry date of the code you plan to use, makes sure the discount you see at checkout is the one you actually keep.