How to Get a Deal at Discount Clothing Stores Like T.J.Maxx, Nordstrom Rack and More
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I was perusing Nordstrom Rack and T.J.Maxx recently for the first time in a long time, and I was thinking to myself that when you're shopping in the stores — particularly discount stores — there are a separate set of rules than if you're shopping online, to be sure, but also if you're hunting in a store where things are displayed more nicely. These are some of MY rules I've come up with for discount shopping — to ensure I get a deal at discount clothing stores like T.J.Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, and more (because not everything is a deal!). What are yours, ladies?
Psst: Here's my report from my visit to T.J.Maxx HQ (still a fond memory), advice on how to survive the outlet mall, and, of course, some of our top tips on online shopping for workwear.
Rule #1 For Shopping Discount Clothing Stores: Start With Your Sizes — But Keep an Open Mind, Particularly With Clearance Rack Items
I once got a super soft, warm wool coat for $20 — because it was marked an 8 and fit me comfortably when I was a size 12. Not only are items on the wrong racks, but items are often on the deeply discounted racks because of an error in sizing.
Rule #2: Know Your Brands
I was marveling at the brands I saw at Nordstrom Rack in particular — St. John's, Ted Baker, Lewit, J.Crew — and I wasn't surprised at some of the usual suspects you find at discount stores (Max Studio, Tahari, Calvin Klein, Karen Kane). But there were a lot of brands that I didn't recognize and were marked with super low prices — the fabrics all looked alternately stiff and unbreathable, or worn and stretched. My advice: Ignore brands you don't know unless you see a certain color or style you have to have. Another tip related to knowing your brands: Some brands manufacture things specifically for off-price clothing stores, while others swap labels (remember all those stories about Ivanka Trump's clothes being relabeled as Adrienne Vittadini?). So, buy something because you like it and it fits well — not because you're crossing that designer name off your bucket list.
Rule #3: Recognize Where Discount Clothing Stores Excel — and Where They Don't
For my $.02, discount shopping is great for things like a) basic raincoats or wool coats that you don't want to pay too much for, just try them on and see how they fit, b) shopping for cocktail dresses to wear to weddings and the like, and c) honestly, suit shopping if you're just starting out. (Oh, and d) basic slips and camisoles!)
Everything else is treasure hunting — you may find a great sweater or a pair of jeans or a bag or pair of shoes — don't go in looking for a basic like that.
Rule #4: Prepare For Shopping by Dressing in Intelligent Layers
If you dress in intelligent layers, you can save yourself trips to the dressing room. Wearing a lightweight t-shirt or tank top as your base layer lets you try on coats, cardigans, blazers, sometimes even blouses or dresses. I've also seen a lot of women wear leggings so they can start wiggling into a dress or skirt next to the rack (but personally I tend to head to the dressing room when I want to try on pants, skirts, or dresses).
My main point here: If you're wearing a bulky sweater with nothing underneath and a pair of shoes that takes forever to get into and out of, your options for trying stuff on will be limited.
Rule #5: Be In the Mood to Treasure Hunt
If you've already got a headache or if you're in a bad mood because of something else, reconsider going to a discount store — the racks are close together and often in disarray, the air flow isn't always the best, and I've seen rude shoppers often enough to know that to avoid it if I'm not in the mood.
Ladies, what are your thoughts: What are your best tips on how to get a deal at discount clothing stores or off-price retail stores like Nordstrom Rack, T.J.Maxx, and others? (Any particularly great local stores that always seem to have the best stuff?) Discount shopping pros — share your BEST deal with us!
Nordstrom Rack is a treasure trove of cheap undergarments specifically bras. I have huge boobs and I love a nice bra that doesn’t look like a post surgical device. I wear a 36 F, 38 E and some other sizes, at NR I can find lots of pretty bras in my size for $35 and less. Wacoal Retro Lace, Chantelle, and Natori are my faves.
I was at Nordstrom Rack in White Plains. They had good stuff, but NOT in the size that I wanted. I want size 2 but they only had size 0 and size 4 and 6. I would not fit in size 0, b/c of my tuchus, and size 4 and 6 are to big. How can I get my size at the Rack? FOOEY!
I’m a fan of TJ Maxx for designer items (as long as you aren’t looking for anything too specific). TJ Maxx has previous seasons stuff — but it’s not made for discount retailers. I have had a ton of luck at my local TJ Maxx finding Vince and other of my favorite labels. But it really depends on the TJ Maxx and the day you are there — sometimes there is a ton of good designer stuff. Other days — nothing. Not as big of a fan of Nordstrom Rack (although I love Nordstrom) — feel like the quality of the clothes at the Rack (and Saks off 5th etc) is generally lower than that of the regular store (i.e. brands that make a line specifically for the discount retailer). I read somewhere that the key to shopping a Nordstrom Rack is to find the one-off items (rather than the items with a whole rack in different sizes). That usually means that the item was made for Nordstrom and ended up at the Rack rather than being made for the Rack. Not sure if it’s true, but I tend to follow that rule.
I am a big shopper at these stores and what I have learned is that you have to be willing to go often and just peruse. I have a T.J. Maxx by work so I will go in during the spring and fall when I am doing my shopping and the rest of the year when it is cold, rainy, etc. and just look around to see if there is anything that catches my eye. You can’t really go in looking for a specific item as the stock varies and sometimes it can be hit or miss. Just go often and look around.
Tip: My T.J. Maxx has really nice birthday and other special occasion cards for only $1.99. These are nice cards that usually retail for $5. This is the only place I buy birthday cards anymore.
I went to TJMaxx a year or so ago looking for an interview jacket. They did not have one single jacket in the whole store (this was around April). So don’t think you’ll definitely get workwear there.
I’m very picky about fabrics. I’m not interested in wearing rayon, polyester, or acrylic. So if the item isn’t cotton/linen/wool/silk I’m probably not buying it (with an exception for sports bras because I have never found a cotton sports bra). Having high standards for the item will keep you away from the name brand trap.
Agreed that perusing regularly is the way to go. Although I’m happy to pay for quality these days, I’ve found some amazing dresses at places like Ross from obscure brands – one was a perfect black sheath dress for next to nothing that I machine wash and that has held up for going on a decade. Just like I browse Nordstrom’s new arrivals and my favorite consignment shop, I keep an eye out at places like Ross and TJ Maxx and sometimes strike gold.