Jul. 31--The sale racks are stocked and spilling with deals.

This time of year typically brings a bonanza of clearances as retailers make room for fall fashions.

Instead of simply advising you to shop sales, though, we decided to go treasure hunting for you.

Starting with five closet staples each for men and women, we set out last week to find three affordable examples.

Because sales change (and selections are slim) we can't promise that stores will still have these items at these prices today.

We can assure you, though, that -- with a little resourcefulness -- you can find excellent deals most days of the week without sacrificing quality.

keckert@dispatch.com

Women

White blouse

Dockers collared, button-up, -sleeve, $7.99 (from $34) at T.J. Maxx

Scott Taylor collared, sleeveless wrap, $17.50 (from $35) at Stein Mart

BCBG Maxazria button-up with front ruffle and textured white dots, $29.99 (from $140) at T.J. Maxx (shown here)

Pencil skirt

Black Old Navy, $5.99 (from $29.50) at Old Navy (shown here)

Denim Ann Taylor Loft, $14.99 (from $49) at Ann Taylor Loft

Black INC International Concepts, $39.50 (from $79) at Macy's

Jeans

Blue Epic denim, $17.50 (from $54) at Stein Mart

Buffalo David Bitton wide-leg, $19.95 (from $118) at Filene's Basement (shown here)

Habitual Skinny, $29.95 (from $210) at Filene's Basement

Black patent pumps

Nine West peep-toe, $20 (from $70) at T.J. Maxx (shown here)

Enzo Angiolini square-toe, $24 (from $99) at Von Maur

Simply Vera Vera Wang pointy-toe, $26.97 (from $69.99) at Kohl's

Scarf

Collection Eighteen viscose in cherry, $9.12 (from $38) at Macy's (shown here)

J. Jill ivory viscose, linen and polyamid, $9.99 (from $39) at J. Jill

Banana Republic silk (several colorful designs), $12.99 (from $39) at Banana Republic

Men

Polo shirt

Chaps striped (several colors), $9 (from $39.50) at Stein Mart

J. Crew broken-in men's (several solid colors), $14 (from $42.50) at J. Crew

Nautica blue and khaki striped, $15 (from $54.50) at T.J. Maxx (shown here)

Collared button-down

Izod, Nautica and Tommy Hilfiger solid and striped, $10 (from $35 to $40) at T.J. Maxx (shown here)

Barneys New York classic white, $14.95 (from $145) at Filene's Basement

Geoffrey Beene wrinkle-free in stone, blue and khaki green, $15.40 (from $45) at Stein Mart

Jeans

Vans straight-leg, $9.60 (from $48) at Kohl's

Ben Sherman straight-leg, $29.95 (from $101) at Filene's Basement (shown here)

Lucky boot-cut, $49.99 (from $98) at Stein Mart

Khakis

Chaps khakis, $17.99 (from $45) at Stein Mart

Perry Ellis premium chinos, $19.99 (from $65) at T.J. Maxx (shown here)

Nautica khakis, $29.99 (from $59.50) at Filene's Basement

Slide-on casual shoes

RJ Colt brown leather slide-ons, $39.97 (from $79.94) at DSW (shown here)

Natha Studio brown leather slide-ons, $41.98 (from $90) at DSW

Rockport brown loafers, $41.98 (from $99.95) at DSW

Shopping secrets

Try discount stores with high-end labels: Filene's Basement, Stein Mart, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are among stores that carry expensive labels at discounted prices.

Don't shy from department stores: Stores such as Macy's and Von Maur have so much stock that sales are plentiful, often including high-quality items for less than the cost of lower-quality goods at cheaper stores.

Think ahead: Many store Web sites have free shopping clubs that offer coupons for joining. Kohl's, for example, e-mails members a $5 gift certificate; Filene's Basement sends a coupon for 20 percent off.

Shop online clearances: Many chain stores offer online sale racks with deals that offset shipping costs.

Don't rush: Sifting through sale racks -- in person or online -- takes time; plan to exercise patience.

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Story Source: The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio