Where to Find Affordable Beachwear in South Carolina

South Carolina beach towns have discount outlets, thrift shops, and seasonal sales where you can find swimsuits, cover-ups, and water shoes for less than department store prices

The cheapest beachwear in South Carolina comes from three main sources: outlet malls near the coast, thrift and consignment stores in beach communities, and end-of-season clearance sales at chain retailers. Myrtle Beach has the largest concentration of outlets, while Charleston's King Street and smaller towns like Beaufort have independent shops that mark down inventory regularly. Timing matters—buying in late August or September, after summer inventory moves, cuts prices by 40 to 60 percent at many stores.

Local beach shops often carry regional brands and vintage pieces that won't appear in chain stores. Consignment shops in tourist areas rotate stock quickly, meaning new inventory arrives weekly. Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army locations near the coast tend to stock more beachwear than inland branches, since locals and visitors donate seasonal items year-round.

Key Takeaways

• Myrtle Beach's outlet malls carry major swimwear brands at 30 to 50 percent below regular retail prices.
• Thrift and consignment stores in coastal towns like Charleston, Beaufort, and Hilton Head rotate beachwear stock weekly and often price items under $10.
• End-of-season sales in August and September offer the deepest discounts on current-year styles at chain retailers.
• Independent beach shops and local boutiques frequently mark down cover-ups, rashguards, and accessories more aggressively than swimsuits.

Outlet Malls Near Myrtle Beach and Wilmington

Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach and the Myrtle Beach Mall outlet section carry swimwear brands like Speedo, Nike, and Tommy Hilfiger at outlet prices. These locations stock current and previous-season styles. Prices run 30 to 50 percent below department store tags, and outlet stores often run additional percentage-off sales during holiday weekends and back-to-school periods.

Tanger Outlets in Myrtle Beach has a larger footprint and includes stores like Gap, J.Crew Factory, and Old Navy, all of which carry beachwear. The outlet mall publishes a coupon book online and sends email alerts about flash sales. Parking is free, and many stores offer dressing rooms, so you can try items before buying.

Wilmington, North Carolina, is a 90-minute drive from the South Carolina coast and has its own outlet mall with similar retailers. If you're already making a beach trip, checking outlet inventory in both states can expand your options without extra travel time.

Thrift and Consignment Shops in Coastal Towns

Charleston's King Street and the Historic District have multiple consignment shops that stock beachwear year-round. Stella Nova and similar boutique consignment stores carry designer swimwear and cover-ups at 50 to 70 percent below retail. Inventory changes frequently—visiting weekly or calling ahead to ask about new arrivals makes sense if you're looking for a specific style.

Beaufort's downtown has several thrift locations within walking distance of the waterfront. Goodwill and Salvation Army stores in beach towns stock more beachwear than inland branches because of seasonal donations. Prices at these stores typically run $3 to $8 per item, and new donations arrive daily, so the selection changes constantly.

Hilton Head Island has consignment shops catering to the resort crowd. These stores carry high-end swimwear and resort wear from brands like Tory Burch and Lilly Pulitzer at a fraction of original prices. Murrells Inlet and other smaller coastal communities also have thrift shops worth checking, though inventory is smaller than in larger towns.

Chain Retailers and End-of-Season Sales

Target, Walmart, and Kohl's carry basic beachwear year-round at lower prices than specialty retailers. Their clearance sections, usually located near fitting rooms or at the back of the store, mark down swimsuits and cover-ups as seasons change. In August and September, these stores reduce summer inventory by 40 to 60 percent to make room for fall clothing.

Dick's Sporting Goods and Academy Sports carry performance swimwear and water shoes. Both stores run regular clearance sales, and their websites show which items are marked down at your nearest location. Signing up for their email lists alerts you to flash sales and percentage-off promotions that apply to beachwear.

Department stores like Belk, which has locations throughout South Carolina, mark down beachwear aggressively in late summer. Checking their clearance racks in person often yields better finds than browsing online, since store associates sometimes miss items when tagging merchandise.

Online Discount Retailers and Flash Sales

Websites like Overstock, Amazon Basics, and Zappos carry beachwear at lower prices than brand websites. Shipping to South Carolina typically takes 5 to 10 business days. Return policies vary—check before ordering, since some sites charge return shipping while others don't.

Flash sale sites like Rue La La and Gilt run limited-time beachwear sales, usually lasting 48 hours. Signing up for their email alerts tells you when swimwear sales start. Prices on these sites can be 50 to 70 percent below retail, but selection is limited and sizes sell out quickly.

Swimwear-specific discount sites like SwimOutlet and TYR's clearance section focus entirely on water sports and beach clothing. These sites often have deeper discounts on previous-season styles than general retailers, and they ship to South Carolina within a week.

What to Look for When Shopping Secondhand

Inspect the elastic around leg openings and the back of the neck—these areas wear first and are hard to repair. Check the fabric for fading, pilling, or thin spots, especially on the seat and chest. Swimsuits with broken zippers or missing ties are usually not worth buying unless the price is under $3 and you can repair them yourself.

Try items on if the store allows it. Secondhand swimsuits may have stretched or shrunk, and sizing varies widely between brands and decades. A vintage 1990s Speedo often runs smaller than a modern size medium from the same brand.

Consignment shops typically inspect items before accepting them, so their beachwear is usually in better condition than thrift store stock. You'll pay more at consignment shops, but the odds of finding something wearable are higher.

Timing Your Purchase for the Best Prices

Late August through September is peak clearance season. Retailers need shelf space for fall and winter clothing, so beachwear prices drop the most during this window. If you can wait until Labor Day weekend, many stores run additional promotions to clear remaining summer stock.

Holiday weekends—Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day—bring extra discounts at outlet malls and chain stores. Black Friday and Cyber Monday sometimes include beachwear in their sales, though the selection is usually picked over by then.

Thrift and consignment shops don't follow seasonal sales calendars, so prices stay relatively stable year-round. However, visiting after major holidays (when people donate gifts they don't want) or in early September (when summer vacationers return home) often yields fresher inventory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find beachwear under $15 in South Carolina?

Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army in coastal towns typically price swimsuits and cover-ups between $3 and $10. Consignment shops in Charleston and Beaufort run $8 to $15 for better-quality items. Chain store clearance sections in August and September often have basics under $15.

Do outlet malls have better prices than thrift stores?

Outlet malls offer lower prices than department stores but usually higher prices than thrift shops. A swimsuit at an outlet might cost $25 to $40, while the same brand at a thrift store could be $5 to $10. Outlet stores have newer inventory and better selection, while thrift stores have the lowest prices but less predictable stock.

What's the best time to buy beachwear on sale?

Late August through September offers the deepest discounts, as retailers clear summer inventory. Holiday weekends like Labor Day bring additional promotions. If you're not in a rush, waiting until after Labor Day usually means 50 to 60 percent off at chain retailers.

Can I return beachwear bought at outlet stores?

Return policies at outlet stores are often stricter than at regular retail locations. Most outlets allow returns within 30 days with a receipt, but some have shorter windows or don't accept returns on clearance items. Ask at the register or check the receipt before leaving the store.

Are there beachwear shops in smaller South Carolina beach towns?

Smaller towns like Murrells Inlet, Edisto Island, and Seabrook Island have local shops that carry beachwear, though selection is smaller than in Myrtle Beach or Charleston. These shops often mark down inventory more aggressively than chain stores to move stock. Calling ahead to ask about current sales or new arrivals saves a trip.