Black Friday has evolved from a one-day frenzy into a full-blown, weeks-long sale season. That’s good news for your wallet — only if you know how to shop it. Brands are changing the way they discount, shoppers are getting savvier, and some fashion categories are getting steeper markdowns than others.
If you want the best deals without blowing your budget, these new Black Friday shopping hacks will keep you a step ahead.
1. Shop the right stuff
Not everything gets slashed equally. Some categories consistently get deeper Black Friday markdowns. It’s usually the ones retailers need to clear fast. Read that to mean the less desirable stuff that’s been hanging around too long.
Knowing these category patterns helps you focus your search on real savings opportunities.
Look here first:
- Down jackets and puffer coats
- Slower-moving sneaker styles like chunkier running silhouettes
- Basics and everyday tops
- Seasonal items on the tail end of their trend cycle
Don’t hold your breath hoping for discounts on:
- Trendy silhouettes that just dropped
- Premium materials like suede
- Hot denim fits that are still selling at full price
2. Start your Black Friday shopping now
You’ve seen it — the Black Friday sales are already happening. Sometimes the early deals are the best deals. There’s good news here, though: Camping out online at 12:01 a.m. on Friday with a turkey-wine hangover is officially outdated.
Start watching prices now. Get on your favorite retailers’ email lists and watch for early access codes, VIP presales, and “pre-Black Friday” drops.
3. Validate the claimed savings
Some “was $150, now $89!” tags are…hmmm, I’ll say, generous. Some retailers do inflate the “original price” to make the sale look better.
How to filter the real deals:
- Use price trackers or browser extensions to see the product’s true historical price.
- Check if the item has been on sale all year.
- Compare prices across two or three stores.
If the sale price is about the same as it’s been since August? Not a Black Friday steal. Move on.
4. Know that sales are strategic
Behind the scenes, brands use data and algorithms to decide which items to discount, which to protect, and which to push later into Cyber Monday.
Translation: You’ll see huge discounts on items that need to move, and smaller markdowns on new or high-demand pieces.
This is why down coats drop 40%, but the jacket you’ve been eyeing for two months is still full price. It’s not the universe working against you. It’s retailer strategy.
5. Save some dough for Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday isn’t just “leftovers day” anymore. Some retailers layer on extra discounts, better bundle deals, or category-specific savings you won’t see on Friday.
Your move: If something isn’t time-sensitive and sizes aren’t too limited, revisit it Monday. You may get a deeper cut.
6. Shop early for common sizes
The best sizes always go first. If you’re a common size — say, M, L, 8, 10, standard shoe sizes — timing matters.
Plan your approach
- Buy essentials early in the sale cycle
- Wait on less size-sensitive items like coats, accessories, and stretchy knits. These may have deeper markdowns later.
This helps you avoid the heartbreak of “Final sale — only XXS left.”
7. Check the return policy
Deep discounts can come with catch: final sale, no returns, store credit only. That’s fine for basics, risky for shoes, and downright dangerous for denim.
Always, always click the return-policy link, even if you shop the brand often. Policies can tighten during big sale events.
8. Cross-shop retailers for category wins
Every retailer has different markdown strengths. For example:
- One might go big on activewear
- Another slashes outerwear
- Another focuses on basics and loungewear
If you’re a multi-category shopper, checking two or three stores can save you real money.
9. Set a budget and stick to it
Black Friday’s biggest trap isn’t overspending on big-ticket items. It’s death by a thousand clicks to save 30%.
Before you shop, decide:
- What you actually want
- The max you can spend
- One “fun add-on” allowance so you don’t feel deprived
Being intentional makes Black Friday shopping more fun and and way less chaotic.
The marathon’s already started
Black Friday is no longer a sprint. It’s a strategic, multi-week marathon. So get hydrated and get your head right. With the right approach, you can score better deals, skip the gimmicks, and keep your spending exactly where you want it.
