Late-Summer Clearance Sales You Don’t Want to Miss

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Bright summer clearance sale sign on the beach with yellow flip-flops, seashells, sunglasses, and a blue dress.

When it comes to scoring big on summer clearance sales, late July through August is the golden hour.

Retailers are eager to clear out warm-weather stock before fall lines drop. This means major markdowns on everything from swimsuits to patio sets. Whether you’re shopping for back-to-school sales or refreshing your space, now’s the time to strike.

Let’s break down the best late-summer clearance finds across fashion, outdoor, and home, and how to time your buys like a pro.

Fashion Finds: From Sundresses to Fall Layers

Clothing retailers go hard during end-of-summer sales. You’ll find deals up to 70% off on swimsuits, sandals, tees, and even pre-fall staples.

Target’s summer clearance is a crowd favorite, with frequent price drops on women’s basics, kids’ apparel, and even transition outfits on sale like light cardigans and denim jackets.

Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale (through early August) is perfect for scoring premium brands at a discount, including cashmere, boots, and beauty bundles.

TJ Maxx Yellow Tag Event is a stealth winner. Look for yellow tags in-store and online for up to 75% off big-name brands. Sizes move fast, so don’t sleep on it.

PRO TIP: Use price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel to monitor markdown history and turn on price drop alerts so you never miss a deal.

Outdoor & Patio: Deck Your Space for Less

There’s no better time to buy patio sets than right now. Retailers start discounting outdoor gear in mid-July, with deeper summer markdowns closer to Labor Day.

Wayfair, Home Depot, and Lowe’s are slashing prices on patio furniture, grills, outdoor rugs, and lighting. Look for bundle deals or clearance tags on floor models at local home stores. Many markdown displays as new inventory rolls in.

Don’t forget seasonal extras like outdoor cushions, umbrellas, and string lights. These often fall into the best end-of-summer deals category.

PRO TIP: Skip the “new arrivals” tab. Filter by “clearance” or “closeout” and sort by percentage off instead of price.

Home & Dorm: Clearance Meets Back-to-School

Late summer isn’t just about sandals. It’s the perfect moment to upgrade your space with summer blowout sale pricing.

Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, and Amazon offer deep discounts on bedding, storage, small appliances, and dorm-ready tech during back-to-school sales.

Don’t forget essentials like fans, A/C units, and blackout curtains as they tend to be heavily discounted as cooler weather approaches.

Bonus: Stack student or teacher discounts with clearance prices. We’ve rounded up some of the best student and teacher discounts here.

PRO TIP: Bookmark your seasonal sales calendar: Late July = first markdowns. Early August = steeper discounts. Labor Day weekend = final clearance.

How to Shop Smarter This Season

Scoring big during late summer clearance sales takes a little planning and a lot of timing. Here’s how to make the most of your haul:

Don’t overlook out-of-season steals like sunscreen, pool floats, or linens for next year.
Shop early for size selection, but wait closer to August for deeper cuts.
Use store apps to scan barcodes for unmarked discounts.
Sign up for loyalty programs to access early markdowns or exclusive coupons.

And if you’re wondering when summer sales start? Some stores begin as early as mid-June, but late summer is when prices really drop.