Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Ross all fall under the category of “off-price” department stores. All of the goods are new and plenty of the brands are recognizable, but this is the last, cheapest stop for these items. And that means the stock has been thinned out quite a bit by the time they reach the end of this line.
When it comes to men’s items, the stock is especially thin. The women’s section dominates the floor space, and screaming toddlers dominate the audible atmosphere (doesn’t matter if it’s Dad or Mom holding Jr., there will be babies crying). But if you’re on a serious budget, it’s worth dropping in every once in awhile to see what’s drifted in. This was all found in one stop with about 20 minutes being spent poking through the sometimes-chaotic racks:
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- Polo RL Utility Bomber – $129.99 ($245) Still well north of $100, but really well made from a natural fiber (cotton), and warm. Insulated and legitimate looking.
- Levi’s 505 Straight Fit – $24.99 ($37) These felt looser than a 501, so those that like their jeans real slim would pass. But the price is hard to beat. Denim feels solid, color is a nice deep blue.
- Polo RL Custom Fit Button Down Poplin – $39.99 ($89.50) Holy crap. A “custom” fit. That’s as slim as RL gets and surprising to see here. Box pleat on the back means it fits decently. Good feel to it. Nice basic check.
- Polo RL Lambswool Sweater – $49.99 ($98) Noticing a brand pattern here? Must have been a fresh shipment of Ralph Lauren stuff that just came in. Brands will vary by store. Other brands like Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, & Kenneth Cole were in stock, but what was in stock wasns’t all that impressive. This sweater on the other hand, really was. Had to size down to a small, but the Lambswool was incredibly soft. The true color is better represented here. And yes, it has that damn logo.
- Polo RL Lambswool Scarf – $19.99 ($49.50) The steal of the trip. Twenty bucks, perfect light grey color, a good width and surprisingly soft for 100% lamswool. Feels like there’s some cashmere mixed in there even though there’s not.
- (pictured here) Clark’s Waterproof Chukka – $45.00 ($110) Nubuck exterior and a basic shape. Very light. That claim of waterproof might be worthwhile if you live in a wet climate.
All together now
Breaking it all down
Even if it’s half off, you’re still paying $50 for a sweater. Despite these things showing up at Marshalls, you still will end up paying for a name or a logo. So the sweater is a pass. Same goes for the shirt, but keep in mind both of those items felt great and fit reasonably well. The jacket is a win at $130 (again, check your surplus store first) and the scarf is outstanding. Jeans could have a better fit, but under $30 is tough to find with cotton prices being what they are. The Clarks are nicely down to Target prices.
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What else to look for: Workout gear, Glasswear, and Underwear
Marshalls and other off-price department stores aren’t always a home-run in the wardrobe department, but they can be a consistent place to find basics like workout clothes, good underwear and even glasses for your bar at home.
Three items that when used in conjunction, would make for a fine Saturday.
Compression t-shirts are expensive, and they can often be found for more than half off. That box of six burgundy-style wine glasses were going for $15. The three pack of CK low-rise briefs, in exact sizes mind you, were $12.99.
It sounds odd, since none of this is obviously used, but shopping at places like Marshalls requires a somewhat similar mindset to what hitting a thrift store takes. You’re not always going to find something. More often than not, you won’t. But when you do? It usually makes up for all those times you left empty handed.
Other thoughts or tips for shopping at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Ross, and stores like them? Leave it all below.
Dont forget to hunt for belts and ties at places like this
$10 per on Nautica ties last time I bought them at one of these places. Not bad.
Don’t forget Nordstrom Rack, which is basically a slightly more expensive version of these stores.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op0nIyWpYFI
I had good luck at Marshalls a year ago when I found a Calvin Klein wool topcoat. Easily a several hundred dollar coat priced at just under $100. Excellent pick-up that occasionally brings me back in the store just to see what they have.
The inventory is less reliable than other stores but there are deals to be had. If you have several locations in your area, start with those in the nicest neighborhoods, first. The one in Dallas’ swanky Preston Village (think that’s what they’re called) often gets suits from Brooks Brothers, Canali, and Zegna. The ties are also better. Other locations around us don’t get these items.
I’ve checked my local Marshalls a few times and have yet to find anything remotely good. I think they are way more hit-or-miss than your average discount retailer.
I like that PRL jacket a lot, though.
Used to be a Sunday routine for me, hit breakfast, hit Lowe’s sales, then TJ Maxx or Marshalls.
Seconded (or thirded). I’ve gotten some dynamite ties from Marshall’s, all south of $12. On occasion, I’ve also found some nice shirts–I got a DKNY slim fit on clearance for $15 a week ago. You just never know. But Joe’s right, the men’s section of clothes is usually a miss.
I’ve scoreed two Brooks Brothers ties from them ($15 each). They were marked as seconds, but there was nothing fishy about them. I’ve even seen Kiton on occassion.
That sweater looks like it fits well. I have the hardest time putting on a slim-fitting sweater like this over the top of a long-sleeve dress shirt. Do you have any tips?
I’ve been pretty lucky with shoes at my local Marshall’s. Over the last year, I’ve found on the clearance rack, and in my size, Sperry Top-sider oxfords – $25, Timberland winter boots – $39, and Nunn Bush slip-on dress loafers – $21 (The Kohl’s next door had the same shoes for $80).
$10 Nautica ties are great, and I’ve bought belts in the $10-15 range that I’m happy with. Everything else is hit or miss, mostly a miss.
Ties and Belts here are usally very poor quality in my experience.
Most of them usually are, but the belts can do if you’re in a pinch and not looking for something long term. And the ties often have a few good ones mixed in. As stated above during the summer Brooks Brothers ties were there, and I’ve found a few other nice ones as well.
On the same vein as thrift stores again, the location really matters. More populated areas will get much more stock, both in sizes and in actual items carried. I think I read about some NYC ones having Persols at one point.
This summer both Marshalls and TJ Maxx were stuffed with 514’s, so it may still be possible to find the slimmer fits. I also saw plenty of Original Penguin items and Jack Purcells there this summer.
I once found a Canali overcoat in my size at my local Marshalls. Tag claimed the original price was $1700, Marshalls price was $300. I have no idea how it got there, there wasn’t a single other piece of Canali in the rest of the men’s dept. And my experience with that particular store has always been below average in terms of finds, so it’s a mystery of the universe.
Agreed agreed.
I live in Idaho, so places like Ross and TJ Maxx are as good as it gets! I go into TJ’s approximately twice a month and just keep my eyes open. As long as you’ve got a got a good tailor, life is sweet.
My TJ Maxx is a great place to find cookwear. If you like to cook you can score some cheap all-clad or le creuset
I found Happy Socks at Marshall’s for $5/pair a couple weeks ago, coincidentally at the same time Gilt was running a 3 for $22 deal. It’s hard to beat Marshall’s, but location is tantamount to finding success. There is one near my house that stocks ready-to-wear pieces that seem to target a 65+ demographic, whereas the one in the Mall of America readily has Ben Sherman, Puma and other ‘younger’ brands on its shelves/racks.
I got a ben sherman tie from a ross once. That is probably the best thing I’ve gotten from a store like that.
The majority of my wardrobe is from Marshalls and TJMaxx. No, really. There are a bunch of locations of these two joints near my home and office, so I hit them pretty frequently, as you noted Joe – you have to try and try again.. but the treasures can most certainly be found.
I’ve scored several pairs of 501s and 514 (digging the 514 cords especially this fall) – the jeans were $25-28 and the cords, IIRC, were $17. Nice!
Some nice RL Polo rugbys – in the slimmer custom fit. Nice and thick shoulders – not *pads* but just beefier in that area.
Some great Original Penguin SS polos and slim/short(er) shorts for this past summer too.
Shoes included Jack Purcells (both canvas slip-ons and suede lace-ups), and Bass suede bucks/bluchers (Brocktons or Boxfords – can’t recall the exact model name) – all from the clearance rack.
Just stocked up on some sweet Woolrich winter socks, too. Brrrrr…. gettin’ chilly here in Meeeeechigan.
TJMaxx has some decent watches too. But that is even more hit/miss than the clothing. I just recently scored my Skagen 958XLSL from one of the several locations in my area.
Somewhat decent fragrance selections too – both his and hers sections.
Hell, I even snagged a Men’s Health (mag) pull-up bar, for hanging on (most) doorways. It was on clearance for $10. Oh, and it comes with a 1-year free subscription to the mag. That’s worth $10 right there – not including the actual *bar*.
Hit/miss shopping, and once in a while a reject pair of Levis – but if you sort through them and try them on – check the fit/finish – you can really get some nice gear for relatively low dough.
Good one, Joe. Been waiting to see this covered here. Thanks!
The tie selection varries by store. I’ve scored several $120 boutique ties (one pure lana wool, the other all cashmere) for $30 a pop. But it really depends on the location.
I absolutely love the lambswool RL sweater I got from Marshall’s. It’s incredibly soft, and fits perfect. I will buy many more in the near future.
With my job involving driving all over a large area I get to drop into a handful of different locations of Ross and tjmaxx. I often find a decent option, but I have noticed that stores in a higher end area always carry a better stock. Same
I grew up on Marshalls. Last spring I bought a Tumi rain trench with MSRP $600 for 60 bucks. Didn’t fit. Sold it on eBay for $115. Repeated twice.
I’ve also found singular higher end apparel /accessories at Marshall’s also…a lone pair of Tods for example …
I recently got a Ben Sherman peacoat, originally 275, for $95.00 at TJ Maxx. Last one on the rack and in the wrong section, but it was there.
Even within my area, different locations have wildly different inventories. Some don’t carry suits at all while other carry $500+ suits.
Grab the sleeves in your hands as you put the sweater on.
I often pick up ties at TJ/Marshalls- Calvin Klein slim ties with (real) metal clips that don’t look cheap (99.7% of the clips there will look cheap) for under $15.
Those type of places are great for buying electronics like beard trimmers and headphones as well.
What is that style of Clarks called? Very interested!
“Box pleat on the back means it fits decently” – What does this mean? I noticed that shirts with shoulder pleats are much better fitting and allow for movement.
I’ve bought a few belts from there over the last 10 years and they are all toast after a year. Save up $75 and buy a real leather belt that will last a lifetime. I do shop the ties though, the $15 Ben Sherman ties are slim and smart.
Nordstrom Rack = 50% off Allen Edmonds, Red Wings, etc. Love it.
The quality of goods at a Marshall’s depends greatly on the area you are in. Where I live, it’s a lot of juggalo jeans and Tapout/Affliction type stuff. In other areas, though, it appears people have better luck.
Definitely not the easiest or most consistent type of shopping experience, BUT there are definitely deals to be had. I found an awesome wool Jack Spade coat in a size 40, originally $495, priced at $200, clearance for $150. Also found a Theory tie to match. What I had to get over was paying $150 for a single item at Marshalls. About a year later, and haven’t really bought anything except some socks, but definitely a place where you can stumble on something really nice.
Like this write up. Wouldn’t mind seeing some more like this in the future. I view these stores as a hit or miss but always fun to find something you like at the price they sell it for! Just today I bought a pair of Levi 511 cords for $17, a 100% black wool scarf for $8, and a dark pair of Levi 511’s for $22.99, I really wanted to go and just look for that gray scarf, but left with a lot!
I got a couple of RL Polo items from Marshall’s for a great price… then I realized that they were “US Polo Association” and not affiliated with RL. The logo is very similar but it’s not the same.
Hey @Joe – you should give this another go as we leak slowly into fall. My local store has a ton of “fall” items in stock now.