Stylists Reveal 6 Items Never to Buy at Full Price for Smarter Shopping
If you are purchasing a full-priced cashmere sweater, you might want to reconsider your shopping approach. That is the guidance from professional stylists who shop for a living and understand exactly which items you can absolutely acquire on sale with a bit of patience.
We consulted seven professional stylists about the pieces they never purchase at full price and requested their top recommendations for shopping more intelligently and affordably.
1. Cashmere Sweaters
This is the ideal time of year to shop for half-priced pure cashmere sweaters, according to Aubrey J., a personal stylist and founder of DripHeat.com with over twelve years of experience styling clients in New York, Los Angeles, and London. "The 'grandpacore' trend is in full force, and oversized knitwear is king right now. Check the men's section of thrift stores or eBay, as vintage men's cashmere sweaters from before the 2000s are knit with longer fibers. Their quality is more dense and far less prone to pilling than new cashmere," he explained.
Shopping smart without sacrificing quality is straightforward with cashmere or wool sweaters, noted Elana Solomon, a VIP fashion stylist. "Retailers like Saks Off Fifth and Nordstrom Rack consistently carry beautiful options at a fraction of the original price. Since classic sweaters rarely change season to season, I prefer to invest strategically during markdown periods," she said.
Anthony Bolognese, executive stylist and owner of Capitol Hill Clothiers, added: "There are plenty of brands offering 100% wool, cashmere, and cotton, but the most prolific brands, mainly fast-fashion brands, charge inflated prices for garments that are often more than 50% polyester, acrylic, or similar. Vintage pieces usually have more character, are better-constructed, and most importantly, are made of 100% natural materials, which makes them more functional and longer-lasting."
2. Premium Denim
Denim is a category most people own and wear regularly. A quality pair of jeans can range from $90 to over $300, depending on the brand. However, purchasing them at full price is unnecessary. "I will never, and I mean never, pay full price for jeans. Here's why: They always go on sale. It doesn't matter if we're talking about a designer pair or your favorite everyday brand, jeans are one of those items that consistently get marked down," said Nikki Venus, a business style coach and founder of Nikki Venus & Company.
"Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, and end-of-season sales are a few ways to get your hands on a great pair of good-quality jeans at a fraction of the original cost," Venus added.
Here is another tip if you are searching for the perfect pair of Levi's or Madewell jeans: "Both Levi's and Madewell have trade-in programs that make it easy to save money. For example, Levi's SecondHand and Madewell Forever take back your old pairs and give you a discount on your next purchase," Aubrey J. noted.
3. Outerwear
Outerwear always goes on sale at the end of each season. You can identify the styles you like in advance and shop for them a few months later. Patience is the key, once again.
"Coats and jackets feel urgent when the weather changes, but retailers consistently discount outerwear midseason and deeply discount at the end. Unless it's a true investment piece, patience pays," said Melissa Rivers, a celebrity style expert and fashion maven.
Outerwear, like fur coats, is something stylist Dina Solomon never buys new or at full price: "Vintage outerwear is often made with extraordinary craftsmanship and materials that are hard to find today. You can source statement coats that feel luxurious and unique without paying current retail prices. It's better for the environment, and you end up with something no one else is wearing."
4. Designer Accessories
If you have your heart set on a classic handbag, like the Chanel 2.55 or any of the Louis Vuitton Speedys, your best bet is finding one secondhand or vintage. The key when shopping for secondhand accessories is keeping an eye out on various sites and being intentional with what you are looking for, such as searching for a specific bag model, so you can track the prices and colors available. Most reseller sites offer a "bidding" option, so you can score an extra discount on your dream bag or shoes. Certainly, this does not apply to all brands; Hermès bags are notoriously overpriced on the secondhand market, as they are extremely difficult to acquire brand new.
Aubrey J. recommends Japanese resellers on eBay and Vestiaire Collective, as local legislation is very strict on counterfeits. "If you buy from Japan, you're buying from a country with a luxury goods industry that shoppers can trust for authenticity, and with current exchange rates, you're automatically saving 30% to 40% on purchases!" he noted.
The resale market is also full of iconic bags and accessories that may be limited edition or discontinued. "Bags are my weakness, but I almost always shop vintage," noted Dina Solomon. "I love the hunt and knowing that a bag already has history. Often, you're getting better quality, and at a smarter price point. It feels like an investment rather than an impulse."
Elana Solomon echoed these sentiments: "Designer shoes and small accessories like wallets and belts can be bought during major sales. If you're able to travel internationally, shopping duty-free can also make a real difference. I'd rather plan ahead and buy strategically than impulse purchase at full price."
"I don't buy seasonal handbags full price; if a bag is color-driven or trend-based, it will likely be marked down," Rivers noted. "I reserve full-price spending for timeless leather bags that will live in my wardrobe for years."
5. Trend-Driven Pieces
This category includes specific colors that may come one season and go the next, logo-heavy pieces, or novelty knits and tops that feature cutouts, hardware, or experimental shapes.
"I was raised by Joan Rivers, and paying full price is practically a character flaw," Rivers said. "If something is super trendy, I'll wait. Trends move fast, and so do markdowns. Anything that's clearly tied to a microtrend, like statement tops, novelty silhouettes, and seasonal prints, has a short lifespan. These items almost always go on sale within weeks. I'd rather buy them at 40% to 70% off and enjoy them guilt-free for one season."
Anna Lavo, a celebrity fashion stylist, also avoids buying trend-driven pieces at full price: "Anything that feels 'of the moment' is rarely worth paying full price for. This includes ultra-seasonal silhouettes like micro lengths or exaggerated proportions, statement denim washes, logo-heavy pieces, and novelty designs tied to a single runway cycle. Those styles tend to age quickly, and I'd rather invest fully in pieces that will live in my wardrobe for years."
6. Statement Occasion Wear
Wedding guest dresses and suits can become quite expensive, especially when you purchase them new for every wedding or event. Aubrey J. offered a great tip on how to shop for these items on discount: Keep an eye out for "retired" rental inventory. "Rent the Runway and Nuuly have to cycle their inventory, and you can find wonderful selections of high-end designers for a fraction of the cost. Plus, they're professionally dry-cleaned after every single wear, often in better condition than the sample-sale clothes you'll find elsewhere!" noted Aubrey J.
The Stylists' Tips on How to Shop Better and Cheaper
Being patient, shopping with intention, knowing your personal style, and recognizing what is missing from your wardrobe are the best ways to shop smart, according to the experts. Think about the fabric and construction of an item and how it will work with your existing wardrobe. High-quality fabrics tend to stand the test of time, wash well, and maintain their shape better. "Choosing better fabrics usually means the piece will last longer and look more elevated, even if it's a simple item," noted Rivers.
"I focus on strong materials, great construction, and emotional connection. If something feels meaningful and powerful when you put it on, that's usually a sign it's worth it," said Dina Solomon.
Thinking in outfits is helpful: Try to envision how you would style an item in a few different ways, with things you already own, before purchasing it. "If you can't immediately see at least three ways to wear something with what you already own, it's probably not worth buying at full price or at all," Lavo said.
Buying something on a whim, just for the sake of buying it, can cost you more in the long term. "My biggest advice is to separate desire from urgency: Create a 48-hour rule before purchasing nonessentials," Rivers said. It is all about making smart, intentional decisions and adding items to your core collection that work for your actual lifestyle. If you work as a personal trainer, for instance, purchasing numerous suits will not make sense for your lifestyle. Buying something just because it is on sale can also be problematic. "Every purchase should have a purpose and a place in your wardrobe before you ever swipe that card," Venus said.
Then the question of trend versus timelessness arises. "Your wardrobe should be 80% timeless and 20% trendy, and that ratio is everything," Venus said. "Your timeless pieces are your foundation, the classics that never go out of style and work season after season. Your trendy 20% is where you get to have fun and play with what's current, without completely overhauling your closet every year."
