Happy Memorial Day everyone!
I have a confession to make…I’m a devout discount shopper! T.J. Maxx is one of the stores that I love to shop at. I love to treasure hunt at T.J. Maxx for designer goods, especially pieces that have great longevity and are worth a pricey investment. In case you are not aware, TJ.Maxx buys excess merchandise and over production items from the clothing makers and sell them to the public for at least 60% off the retail price. That doesn’t necessarily mean that T.J. Maxx’s inventory is from last season or irregular. As a matter of fact, at least 50% of their merchandise is in season and 95% of their merchandise is high quality.
I’m not going to lie to you. The first few times that I visited the store I felt extremely overwhelmed, intimidated, and often times LOST! Who wouldn’t? The Clothing department, the Shoe department, the Home department, the Kids, etc… It took me months not to mention years to get over those feelings and shop efficiently. Now that I’m a busy mom I no longer can afford an extra 2 hours here and there to just browse and treasure hunt at the store like I used to. However, since I’ve been shopping at their store religiously for the past couple decades I think I have mastered a strategy to shop fast and smart whenever I visit. I went to T.J. Maxx a few weeks ago looking for a couple pairs of yoga pants and walked out with this $34 DVF silk blouse and a $119 Pucci dress!
Everyone’s strategy is different. You need to ask yourself first what your shopping purpose will be at this store. Is it a pair of pumps that you want to pair with your skinny jeans that you just purchased? Is it some clothing for your kids that you can toss after a few months and not feeling guilty doing so? Or, is it a vase that you need for those beautiful roses from your backyard? Whatever you are looking for it is important to hone in your shopping purpose and stay focus at a store like this. Otherwise, you will get frustrated and discouraged and never want to visit this store again…that’s what happened to one of my sisters! The below strategy has always worked for me.
- I hit the Clothing department first. Yes I know…they have clothes displayed everywhere in different racks. That’s okay. T.J. Maxx organizes their clothing by designers and size in one rack. Then other clothing by type and size in different racks. So, if you have time to hunt for that designer item then hit the designer rack first. The T.J. Maxx that is close to my neighborhood has a section called “The Runaway Maxx”. This section sells high end designer items like DVF, Tory Burch, D&G, etc – similar to Loehman’s Back Room. The best location to score a deal is the clearance rack within this department. That’s where I found the DVF blouse and the Pucci dress deals! If I’m not familiar with a designer then my focus is to look at the style (trendy or classic?) first, then quality (silk or polyester?), and then the size (yes, you can tailor it if it is up to 2 sizes bigger). I almost always dismiss polyester made clothing. To me they appear cheap and the craftsmanship is usually made poorly. I then look at the price. I don’t want to spend $199 for a trendy dress. However, I’m willing to spend that $199 dress if it is the classic DVF silk wrap dress that will give me great longevity.
- If I have time then I zoom in to my favorite department, Shoes! This is the easiest area to shop because their shoes are arranged by their size. I know my size and which designers fit smaller/bigger on my feet. For shoes, I look at the size first, then the style, then quality, and then the price. I love buying boots there because they tend to carry boots that are from high end designers.
- After hitting the Shoe department, I do a 2 minute perusing at the handbags section. They are arranged by color. It can get overwhelming here. However, if you already have an idea what color/type you are looking for then it is not so bad.
- I move on to the Kiddies department next. Their clothing is arranged by size so it’s really easy to find what I’m looking for.
- The final destination would be the Home department. Okay, do I really need that duvet cover? I know it’s Egyptian cotton and it is so luxurious and comfortable. Well, maybe I will stock that up if it is on clearance for $30 or less.
So there you have it. That’s my T.J. Maxx shopping strategy. It usually takes me less than an hour to finish browsing the store plus checkout. At times I just go in and visit the Home department and then leave if I can’t find what I’m looking for. Often times, I visit the store and just browse all the departments. Sometimes I walk out with an item or two and at times I just come out empty handed. I would love to hear what your strategy is when shopping at this store or similar discounted stores!
//Blouse: T.J. Maxx (similar here)//Skirt: ASOS//Shoes: By Malene Birger//Bracelet: JCrew bracelet//?Clutch: Homemade ostrich leather clutch (seen here )//Belt: Linea Pelle//
Thank you for visiting and have a fabulous day!
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20 Comments
Looking great Janise. Love the outfit and those heels are so pretty. I’m not a good discount shopper. I’m a good sale shopper. I have a hard time at stores like Winners because it is a bit overwhelming. I wish we had more great stores like that here in Canada. Happy Memorial Day.
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade
Thank you, Agi.
What a gorgeous look! I love the Maxx! The shoe dept. is always my first stop. 🙂
Thank you, Kristin.
Janise, you’re adorable in that outfit! Looks stunning on you. I really appreciate your tips on shopping TJ Maxx. I do really well (too well) in the home furnishings section but haven’t mastered the fashion departments. I’ll use your tips and let you know how I do!
Heather from Friendship, Life and Style
That’s great, Heather! Would love to hear all about it!!!
Never actually been to TJ Maxx but when I visit my sisters in the UK we always hit TK Maxx, I think it is the equivalent to US’s TJ Maxx. I found some nice stuff there. These are some nice tips, thanks for sharing 🙂
GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES (a fashion and life-style blog)
http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/
I am looooving this outfit lady!! I love discount shopping too. I have a great TJ Maxx in my town. The handbag section is always my weakness. 🙂
-Jenny
http://www.babblingsofamommy.com/2013/05/ootd-thread-butter.html
Thank you, Jenny.
great tips and I LOVE, LOVE those heels! I’m visiting today as a co-host from Showin’ Some Love Blog Hop! Hope you’ll make your way back around to me as well! . ~Kat at No Holding Back
Thank you for visiting Alexa. Your blog is very cute 🙂
I used to work at TJ Maxx and I love shopping there! You’re right, it can seem a bit overwhelming at first but it’s SO worth it! I love this skirt, it’s gorgeous. This whole look is really.
Jessi
haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com
Hi there! I am co-hosting this week on Friend Connect Blog Hop. Thanks for connecting up!
I also host a TGIF Link Party over at my place — A Peek Into My Paradise… http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/ Would love for you to link up, Opens on Fridays and stays open until Wednesday at midnight. Thanks again for visiting the Friend Connect Blog Hop!
Have a terrific week!
Hugs, Cathy
Those heels are amazing! Just the right pop of color!
Visiting from Random Wednesday link-up:)
Cheers,
Alyson
Thank you, Alyson.
You look so pretty! I love TJ Maxx and once you know how to shop it, it’s great!
Ginny
Thank you, Ginny.
You’re so adorable, I love those pink pumps! Visiting from Tres Chic Fashion Thursday and now following your amazing blog 🙂
xo, Ainslee
abeautifulheartblog.blogspot.com
Thank you, Ainslee.
Those shoes.. omg I need them!!
I love TJ MAxx and Marshalls but prefer to go with my mom bc she is good at eyeing the good stuff.. I get so lazy! lol
Jamie
http://www.candystilettos.com