Hey there, fashion lover! If you‘re obsessed with scoring amazing designer deals at Nordstrom Rack like I am, you‘re probably always on the lookout for similar stores to expand your cheap-chic shopping options. Well, look no further! I‘ve rounded up the ultimate list of stores like Nordstrom Rack so you can keep your wardrobe fresh and your wallet happy.
First, let‘s quickly go over why we love Nordstrom Rack. It‘s the off-price retail division of upscale department store Nordstrom, offering savings of up to 70% on clothing, shoes, accessories, beauty, and home goods from top brands. You can find everything from high-end designers to more affordable lines, all in one convenient place. It‘s like a treasure hunt every time!
While nothing can replace the thrill of finding that perfect leather jacket or pair of designer jeans at Nordstrom Rack, these 10 other stores offer a very similar shopping experience and range of discounts. Some focus more on luxury labels, others prioritize lower prices over brand names, but they all give you the opportunity to score stylish pieces at a fraction of the original cost.
Saks OFF 5TH
Let‘s start with the crème de la crème of discount designer shopping: Saks OFF 5TH. As the outlet counterpart of the legendary Saks Fifth Avenue, this store is a dream come true for luxury lovers on a budget. You‘ll find all the high-end brands you crave at 40-70% off, including:
- Balenciaga
- Chloe
- Christian Louboutin
- Fendi
- Givenchy
- Prada
- Saint Laurent
- Valentino
To give you an idea of the savings, I recently spotted a gorgeous Prada leather tote at my local Saks OFF 5TH for $1,199.99, marked down from an eye-popping original price of $3,100. That‘s over 60% off! Of course, deals this extreme aren‘t everyday occurrences, but with frequent sales and promotions, you can definitely luck out.
One key difference between Saks OFF 5TH and Nordstrom Rack is that OFF 5TH carries a higher percentage of true luxury brands. This makes it feel a bit more upscale overall, but also means prices may be higher on average even with steep discounts. It just depends on what labels you‘re after.
I recommend joining their free membership program, MORE!, so you can earn points to redeem for discount vouchers and get early access to sales. Some insider tips: Designer shoes and handbags tend to have the best deals, and twice-yearly Friends & Family sales offer 25% off almost everything.
Neiman Marcus Last Call
Another top pick for high-end deals is Neiman Marcus Last Call, the outlet arm of the iconic luxury department store. Here you‘ll find a well-edited selection of designer clothing, shoes, bags, and more at up to 65% off regular retail prices.
Expect to see plenty of familiar names like:
- Alexander McQueen
- Burberry
- Diane von Furstenberg
- Manolo Blahnik
- Moncler
- Rag & Bone
- The Row
- Veronica Beard
In my experience, Neiman Marcus Last Call is slightly pricier than Nordstrom Rack on average. For example, a Michael Kors leather satchel I‘ve had my eye on is currently $199 at Last Call, versus similar styles priced around $150 at the Rack. But again, it all depends on the specific piece and additional promotions.
What I love about Last Call is their amazing shoe selection. As someone with expensive taste in footwear but limited funds, I always make a beeline for their designer pumps, sandals, and boots. Recently I was thrilled to snag some sleek black Saint Laurent ankle booties for $399, which sounds pricey until you consider the usual retail cost of $995!
One downside of Last Call compared to Nordstrom Rack is the more limited size ranges, especially for shoes. Smaller sizes in particular tend to sell out quickly. But if you wear a common size and check the site/stores often, you can definitely score some treasures.
Pro tip: If you have a Neiman Marcus credit card, you can get free 2-day shipping and earn double points on Last Call purchases. Totally worth it if you shop there regularly!
Discount Department Stores: TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross
If your style is more mix-and-match than strictly designer, you can‘t go wrong with the holy trinity of off-price shopping: TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross. These chains are goldmines for deals on a huge variety of clothing, shoes, accessories, beauty, and home goods at 20-60% off department store prices.
Some of the brands I always keep an eye out for include:
- Adidas
- Calvin Klein
- Coach
- Free People
- Guess
- Kate Spade
- Levi‘s
- Lucky Brand
- Michael Kors
- Nike
- Vince Camuto
While the selection is hit-or-miss and stock varies widely by store, frequent visits (and a willingness to dig) can definitely pay off. I once found an amazing Theory dress for just $40 at TJ Maxx, marked down from $325! Talk about a steal.
These stores are great for basics, trendy fast fashion, activewear, denim, and affordable accessories. The shoe sections are usually pretty extensive too. However, true designer goods are more limited compared to Nordstrom Rack, and sell out lightning fast.
Wondering which chain is best? In my opinion, TJ Maxx has a slight edge over Marshalls and Ross in terms of organization and overall shopping experience. Some TJ Maxx locations even have a special runway section featuring higher-end labels. But honestly, I shop at all three pretty equally.
One nice thing about TJ Maxx and Marshalls is that you can shop online as well as in stores. Ross has remained strictly brick-and-mortar, which can be a bit frustrating.
Insider shopping tip: Go on weekday mornings right after a new shipment has been put out to get first dibs on the good stuff. Avoid weekends if you don‘t want to battle the crowds. And always do a quick scan of the clearance racks – I‘ve found some of my best bargains there!
Burlington
Don‘t overlook Burlington as another great option for discounted shopping! Formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, this chain has seriously stepped up its game in recent years. You‘ll find everything from clothing and shoes to beauty, accessories, gifts and home goods at up to 60% off other retailers‘ prices.
Burlington may not be as stylish or well-organized as Nordstrom Rack, but there are plenty of gems to be found, including these popular brands:
- Calvin Klein
- Guess
- Kenneth Cole
- Levi‘s
- London Fog
- Marc New York
- Nautica
- Tommy Hilfiger
I‘ve had particularly good luck with Burlington‘s outerwear selection (no surprise given their history) as well as dresses for special occasions. Expect to see lots of department store brands mixed in with lesser-known labels.
One thing to note is that Burlington doesn‘t have an online store, so treasure hunting in person is a must. My local store tends to get new merchandise on Thursdays, so that‘s when I usually pop in. YMMV of course!
thredUP
For those who love scoring secondhand deals, thredUP is an absolute must. This online consignment and thrift store is a total game-changer, with a huge selection of like-new clothing and accessories from over 35,000 brands at up to 90% off retail. Yes, you read that right – 90% off!
Some of my favorite brands to look for on thredUP include:
- Anthropologie
- Everlane
- J. Crew
- Lululemon
- Madewell
- Reformation
- Sézane
- Theory
- Vince
The site has an amazing filtering system that lets you search by brand, size, color, price, condition, and more. You can even set up alerts for your favorite designers so you never miss a new arrival.
One thing I especially appreciate about thredUP is their commitment to quality control. Every item is carefully inspected before being listed, so you can trust that your "gently used" pieces will actually be in great shape. They also offer free returns for store credit on most items, which makes trying new-to-you brands virtually risk-free.
Prices may not be quite as low as what you‘d find at a traditional thrift store, but thredUP offers the convenience of online shopping, a vast selection, and peace of mind about condition. I‘ve found some incredible deals over the years, including a $500 DVF wrap dress for just $60!
Insider tip: Use the referral program to earn $10 for every friend you invite to shop. It really adds up! Frequent flash sales, seasonal promotions, and discount codes are also great ways to save.
Members-Only Flash Sale Sites: Gilt & HauteLook
For a more exclusive discount shopping experience, consider joining members-only flash sale sites Gilt and HauteLook. These online outlets offer limited-time, deeply discounted designer sales for those who crave luxury for less.
Gilt is my personal favorite for high-end finds. The site features sales of up to 70% off retail prices on clothing, shoes, accessories, beauty, home goods, and even experiences from top brands like:
- Christian Louboutin
- Dior
- Fendi
- Gucci
- Prada
- Saint Laurent
- Valentino
- Versace
Membership is free, but sales are only available to subscribers and typically last just 36 hours or until pieces sell out. Download the app for on-the-go access!
HauteLook, which is actually owned by Nordstrom, offers a very similar experience with flash sales up to 75% off. The main difference is a slightly broader brand selection that includes more contemporary and indie labels alongside designers like:
- 7 For All Mankind
- BCBGMAXAZRIA
- Joie
- Milly
- Rebecca Minkoff
- Sam Edelman
- Splendid
- Trina Turk
At both Gilt and HauteLook, you‘re "competing" with other shoppers to snag the best deals before they‘re gone. It can definitely feel high-stakes, but that‘s part of the thrill! My top strategies are to stalk the upcoming sales tab, set calendar reminders for events I‘m interested in, and check the sites first thing in the morning.
Now, the question I‘m sure you‘re all asking – is the quality the same as Nordstrom Rack? In my experience, yes. I‘ve been shopping these sites for about a decade and have very rarely been disappointed with an item. Returns are free too, so you‘re not stuck if something doesn‘t work out.
Final Thoughts
Phew, that was a lot of info! I hope this guide has given you some great new options to explore for scoring amazing deals on designer and brand-name fashion. Between the luxury outlets, discount chains, resale sites, and flash sale memberships, you‘re sure to find the perfect stores to supplement (or even replace) your Nordstrom Rack addiction.
Ultimately, the "best" stores like Nordstrom Rack for you will depend on your personal style, brand preferences, budget, and shopping habits. I recommend trying out a few different options from this list to see what you like. Maybe you‘ll fall in love with thredUP‘s endless selection, or maybe you‘ll become a Saks OFF 5TH loyalist. There‘s no wrong way to save on fashion!
Before you embark on your discount shopping spree, let me leave you with a few final tips:
- Always check the sale/clearance section first for the deepest discounts.
- Get to know each store‘s regular sale cadence and plan your shopping trips accordingly.
- Don‘t sleep on lesser-known or in-house brands – the quality is often impressive for the price.
- If you love something, buy it! Hesitation means losing out at these stores.
- Have fun and experiment with your style! Discount shopping is all about the thrill of discovery.
Thanks for coming along on this savings journey with me. I‘d love to hear about your favorite stores like Nordstrom Rack and any killer deals you‘ve scored. Leave a comment below or connect with me on Instagram @RackAddict. Until next time, happy shopping!
*Sources:
TJ Maxx, Marshalls Continue to Thrive in Retail Apocalypse (Business Insider)
Saks OFF 5TH Builds a ‘Luxury for Less Strategy‘ (Women‘s Wear Daily)
Gilt‘s Secret Weapon (New York Times)
thredUP 2019 Resale Report
Why the Resale Market Will Be Worth $51 Billion by 2023 (Glamour)
