The Clearance Hunter's Diary: My Best End-of-Season Finds on Kakobuy Spreadsheets
I'll never forget the moment I realized I'd been doing seasonal shopping all wrong. It was late March, and I was frantically searching for spring pieces at full price while watching everyone else parade around in fresh fits. Then a friend showed me her Kakobuy spreadsheet—filled with last season's winter items at 60% off—and everything clicked. Why buy spring at peak prices when you could stock up on next year's winter wardrobe for pennies on the dollar?
The Lightbulb Moment: Understanding Clearance Cycle
That conversation changed my entire approach to fashion. I started tracking the seasonal on Kakobuy spreadsheets, and patterns emerged quickly. Late February through March? Winter coats and heavyweight hoodies hit rock bottom prices. July and August? Spring an slashed as sellers make room for fall inventory. The strategy became obvious: buy for next year, not this season.
My first major score was a premium wool overcoat I December. In February, the spreadsheet price dropped from ¥680 to ¥280. I grabbed it immediately, stored it properly over summer, and when Octoberd a coat that looked like I'd spent serious money. Friends asked where I got it, assuming it was a current season purchase. The satisfaction of that moment was worth more than the My Clearance Shopping System
After that initial success, I developed a method. I keep a running note on my phone with items I want but won't buy at full price. Throughout the season, I watch them on various Kakobuy spreadsheets, noting the sellers who stock them and the typical price points. Then I wait. Patience becomes your greatest asset in clearance hunting.
The key is knowing your measurements cold. End-of-season sales move fast, and popular sizes disappear within days. I learned this the hard way when I hesitated on a batch of vintage-wash kets, spending two days deciding on sizing. By the time I committed, my size was gone. Now I have my chest, shoulder, and length measurements saved in places, ready to cross-reference with size charts the moment something hits clearance.
The Spreadsheet Deep Dive Technique
Not all clearance items are created equal. I've learned to dig deeper than just the price drop. I listing date—items that have been sitting for months might have quality issues or unpopular colorways. I cross-reference multiple spreadsheets to see if the same batch appears elsewhere at different prices. Sometimes a seller on one sheet is clearing stock at ¥200 while another still has it listed at ¥350.
I also pay attention to seasonal timing in China versus my location. Their winter ends before mine does, which means I can grab cold-weather pieces at clearance prices while I wearing them. Last January, I scored fleece-lined joggers at end-of-season pricing and wore them for another two months. That's the sweet spot—clearance prices on items you can use immediately.
My Greatest Clearance Victories
Some finds become legendary in your wardrobe. Last August, I discovered a seller clearing out their entire spring collection of technical jackets. These weren't cheap pieces—the original prices suggested premium materials and construction. At 70% off, I bought three in different colors, spending less total than one woul cost at full price. Two years later, they're still in regular rotation every spring and fall.
Then there was the summer dress shirt incident. I'm not usually a dress shirt person, but I found a batch of lblend shirts in perfect summer colors marked down to almost nothing. The seller was clearly making room for fall inventory in early July. I bought four, figuring even if I only wore them occasionally, the price it worthwhile. They ended up becoming my go-to shirts for the entire summer, and I still reach for them constantly. Sometimes clearance shopping pushes you to try styles you wouldn't normally consider, and that's where the magic happens.
The Ones That Got Away
Of course, not every story has a happy ending. I still think about the Archive-inspired cargo pants that hit clearance last September. I saw them, liked them, but convinced myself I didn't need another pair of pants. Three days later, I changed my mind. Sold out in every size. I check that spreadsheet occasionally, hoping they'll resurface, but they never have experience taught me that when clearance prices align with genuine want, hesitation is your enemy.
Seasonal Strategy: What to Buy When
Through trial and error, I've mapped out the optimal buying windows. Late winter clearance, from February through March, is prime time for heavyweight items. I stock up on hoodies, wool pieces, insulated jackets, and anythingd for cold weather. These items store well and never go out of style, making them perfect clearance candidates.
Summer clearance hits. July and August bring deals on lightweight layers, shorts, summer shirts, and breathable fabrics. I'm more selective here because summer items take up less space and I'm pickier about warm-weather aesthetics. But when I find quality linen or technical summer pieces at clearance prices, I grab them without hesitation.
Fall clearance is trickier because it overlaps with early winter shopping. September and October can offer deals on transitional pieces—light jackets, long-sleeve shirts, and mid-weight pants. These items work across multiple seasons, making them valuable clearance targets. Spring clearance in May and June tends to be less dramatic, but you can find solid deals on items that work year-round, like basic tees and versatile outerwear.
The Storage Reality
Here's what nobody tells you about clearance shopping: you need storage space. My closet situation got chaotic fast when I started buying seasonally ahead. I invested in vacuum storage bags for off-season items and a simple organizational system. Winter pieces get packed away in April with cedar blocks to prevent any issues. Summer items get stored in October. This sounds basic, but it's essential if you're buying clearance items you won't wear for months.
I also learned to be realistic about quantities. That first year, I went overboard, buying anything at a good price whether I needed it or not. My closet became a clearance warehouse. Now I'm more disciplined. I ask myself: Will I actually wear this next season? Does it fit my existing wardrobe? Am I buying it because it's cheap or because I genuinely want it? These questions prevent clearance shopping from becoming clearance hoarding.
Reading the Spreadsheet Signals
Experienced clearance hunters develop an instinct for spreadsheet patterns. When you see multiple sellers dropping prices on similar items simultaneously, that's a signal. The season is definitively ending, and everyone's clearing inventory. That's when the best deals appear, but also when competition intensifies.
I watch for sellers who update their sheets regularly. These are the ones who actively manage inventory and are more likely to offer genuine clearance deals rather than just marking up prices and then "discounting" them. I've built a mental list of reliable sellers whose clearance sections I check weekly during transition periods.
Another signal: batch photos that show multiple colorways or sizes. This often indicates overstock situations where sellers are motivated to move volume. These scenarios create negotiation opportunities if you're buying multiple pieces. I've messaged sellers during clearance periods and gotten additional discounts for buying three or four items together.
The Psychological Game
Clearance shopping messes with your brain in interesting ways. There's a rush when you score something amazing at a fraction of the original price. That dopamine hit can become addictive, leading you to buy things you don't need just to experience the thrill of the deal. I've caught myself doing this and had to consciously pull back.
The flip side is decision paralysis. When everything's on sale, how do you choose? I've spent hours comparing clearance items, trying to optimize every purchase, only to realize I've wasted time that could have been spent enjoying the clothes I already own. Balance is crucial. Set a budget for clearance shopping and stick to it. Treat it as planning for next season, not as an unlimited shopping spree.
Lessons from Three Years of Clearance Hunting
Looking back at my clearance shopping journey, several truths stand out. First, quality matters more than quantity, even at clearance prices. A well-made piece at 60% off will outlast three cheap items at 80% off. Second, classic styles win in clearance shopping. Trendy pieces might be deeply discounted, but if the trend passes before you wear them next season, you've wasted money regardless of the deal.
Third, clearance shopping requires patience and planning. You can't build an entire wardrobe this way overnight. It's a long-term strategy that pays off over seasons and years. My current wardrobe is probably 70% clearance purchases made over three years, and it looks cohesive because I've been selective and patient.
Finally, the community aspect matters. I'm part of a small group chat where we share clearance finds from different Kakobuy spreadsheets. Someone spots a deal, drops a link, and we all benefit. This collaborative approach has led to some of my best purchases—items I would have never found on my own. The fashion community around these spreadsheets is genuinely helpful, especially during clearance seasons when everyone's hunting for deals.
Looking Ahead
As I write this in early spring, I'm already planning my summer clearance strategy. There's a specific style of technical shorts I want, and I'm watching three different sellers who stock them. When July hits and they start clearing summer inventory, I'll be ready. That's the clearance hunter's mindset—always thinking one season ahead, always planning, always patient.
The beauty of this approach is that it removes the pressure of keeping up with current trends at current prices. I'm never scrambling to buy this season's must-have item at peak cost. Instead, I'm calmly building a wardrobe of quality pieces purchased at the right time. It's a slower, more intentional way to approach fashion, and honestly, it's made me appreciate my clothes more. When you've waited months for the right price and then stored something carefully until its season arrives, you value it differently than something bought impulsively at full price.