Answer: Buy in Texas
Explanation: Let X be the amount that can spent on clothes in Texas. The total cost would be:
Total = X + (0.085X) [The cost of the clostes plus 8.5% sales tax]
$300 = X*(1.085)
X = $276.50 on the clothes
For Minnesota, the total that can be spent on clothes is $300 - 2*(25) = $250 on the clothes. [$50 is for the extra suitcase, 2*$25 for both ways].
The extra cost of a second suitcase is higher than the sales tax in MN, so Texas is less expensive, in spite of the sales tax.
Emotionally, it is a hard decision. MN would seem to offer a more cosmopoliton range of choices than Texas, and that is exciting. But only a few in Texas wear cosmopoliton, prefering durable, cowboy, big-buckle fashion. So while not as exciting, your friends won't tease you about your MN style choices.