5 Walmart Clothing Items That Aren't the Best Value
Walmart may seem like a one-stop shop for affordable clothing, but buyer beware -- not all deals are created equal.
While the retailer boasts popular national brands and its own fashion lines, some apparel is better left on the rack. To avoid wasting money, it's wise to do your research before purchasing. This guide will reveal five types of Walmart clothing items that aren't worth your hard-earned cash.
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Bigger Brand Names That Seem Too Good To Be True
“You can find big brand names at Walmart, but the thing to remember is that they’re often cheaper than buying elsewhere or buying direct,” said Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews. “That might sound like a good deal, but it’s worth asking yourself why these items are cheaper, especially if they’re name brands that tend to cost far more usually, like Levi’s.”
While the Walmart price might offer decent savings, she said you may be trading quality for price, which can mean you’ll need to replace these items sooner.
Puma Socks
“There’s nothing wrong with Puma socks — especially the CoolMax no show variety — but shopping these at Walmart will ensure you pay more than if you were to add them to your cart elsewhere,” Ramhold said. “First, you may not be able to find them in your local Walmart s
tore, which means you’ll have to order them online and have them shipped to you, which will only increase the price.”Additionally, if you have a warehouse club membership, she said you might be able to find Puma socks cheaper at stores like Costco.
“Not only can you get the same item for less, but you can often pick them up in the warehouse, so you don’t have to worry about building a bigger order than you need,” she said.
Swimwear
Since swimwear items often cost less than $10 at Walmart, Ramhold said it can be tempting to buy a new one each year, then toss it at the end of the season when it wears out. Of course, if you spend all summer at the beach or pool, she said a low-quality swimsuit might not even last the entire summer, making the value not as great.
“Another thing to consider is that these suits are created for those that aren’t picky about fit or silhouette, so if you’re looking for something flattering and long-lasting, Walmart isn’t going to be the place to go,” she said. “They can be absolutely fine for suits for kids and even last-minute purchases.”
However, if you’re looking for long-term wear and a better fit, she said you’re better off shopping elsewhere.
The Children’s Place Clothing
Walmart sells items from The Children’s Place. If this is a brand you like, you might be tempted to buy from Walmart instead of the retailer itself — but don’t, said Melissa Cid, consumer savings expert at MySavings.com.
“You’ll get a better deal buying The Children’s Place apparel direct on their own website,” she said. “They have better prices, as well as frequent sales and coupons.” She added that shopping directly on the retailer’s website will also grant you access to more styles, colors and sizes.
Mchoice Mens’ Hawaiian Shirts
If you’re in the market for a new Hawaiian shirt, you’ll probably want to steer clear of this one by Mchoice. Rated 2.6 out of five stars by nearly 50 reviewers, this shirt is apparently not even worth its $12.99 (or $8.99 on sale) price tag.
Nearly half of the reviewers rated this shirt one star, with almost all claiming the sizing runs very small. Multiple people also complained of a long shipping time, which they found frustrating.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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