i've been to stores like ross and nordstrom rack. i've also been to other discount type stores that have just given me a headache. but ross and nordstrom rack have proven to be my favorite.
here's my basic mentality when i walk into those types of stores. feel free to take this as advice ;)
1. GRAB WHATEVER YOU CAN. see those gold shoes over there? think they're kind of cute, but not sure? uh..well, don't let them sit there. especially if they're the last pair left. chances are if you walk around the store, they're not going to be there once you get back.
2. DON'T BE AFRAID TO FILL THE CART. seriously, see above. don't regret not grabbing that shirt or those shoes.
3. TRY ON. BE PATIENT. this will take a while, especially if you fill your cart up.
and 4. TRY TO SHOP WITH A PARTNER. yeah, i know this can be lame and annoying. but i know if it wasn't for a friend or even my mom sometimes i'd go crazy. because a) someone needs to watch that cart (he he he) and (b) they will talk you out of buying that shiny rainbow top (just work with me here) because it's like $2 and you can TOTALLY find a way to make it work...because you won't and they know that.
that being said..let me give you my reviews on ross and nordstrom rack.
Ross (or Ross Dress For Less .. whichever you prefer) is awesome. like nordstrom rack, it is one of those places with the grab now, try on later mentality. i know i can ALWAYS find a cute, cheap dress there. they don't have as many of the higher end designers, but the prices are definitely hard to beat. plus, i have a really bad dress obsession so $10-$15 for a dress is amazing especially when i'm buying 10-15 dresses (yeah, it's happened...oops.) or when you can find a prom dress that you KNOW no one else will have because there's only one in that store for like $30. beat that. however, ross can be a hot mess. like...seriously. you can go crazy without some patience. take a cart and take your time. you will be able to find something. they also have handbags and shoes.
Nordstrom Rack is the MOTHERSHIP for me. like...it's bad. i can't even walk in without finding something. if you're into designers, go go go go go go go go NOW. i can't bring myself to buy designer jeans anywhere else because when you go to the rack, you're basically guaranteed a pair of designer jeans for like $100. i bought seven for all mankind skinny jeans for $99 last summer. and a few weeks ago i bought william rast jeans for $22 (you read that corrrectly!). their shoe department? to die for. their handbag department? even better. i honestly can't believe some of the discounts they give on shoes/handbags. michael kors wedges? mmmmmhm. betsy johnson handbag? mmmmhmmm. michael kors hangbag that i had been eying up all season that was like $400 and sold out and now is on sale for $120? mmmmhmmm.
clearly, you can tell i am in love with those stores. so where does marshall's come into play for me?
Marshall's kind of reminds me of a Ross-Nordstrom Rack hybrid. the prices are great and i saw a lot of well known brands and designers. i am happy that i did try them out because ross is about an hour and a half away and my faaavorite nordstrom rack is two and a half hours away (there is one about 10 minutes from me that i love but it's just not the same). their shoe department really impressed me. i grabbed a pair of jessica simpson sandals for $15 and these cute white sandals from a brand that is totally escaping my mind for $12. i wasn't in my above referenced shopping mode, so i wasn't really in the mood to shop (what the eff? i know). like i said, i was very impressed with their shoe department and i definitely want to go back to check out some of the heels and boots i saw. i also saw paris hilton sandals (i kind of forgot she even had a shoe line) and i looked them up when i came home and saw a price tag of $79 (but certain colors on sale for like $35) when i saw them at the store for $29. i might go back to get them too...THEY WERE STUDDED.
like i said, i wasn't in my shopping mode so clothing-wise i didn't really get the full experience. i looked through the messy racks (seriously, i know it's hard to stay organized but this was a little overwhelming. i did manage to find cardigans! whoo. another obsession of mine. how can you beat cardigans for like $11.99? and some of them were even american eagle! (clearly, another love of mine)
all in all, i'm very happy with my purchases and i'm excited to go back.
WHAT'S YOUR VERDICT ON MARSHALLS, NORDSTROM RACK, AND/OR ROSS?
5 comments:
There is no nordstom's here :(
We don't have a nordstrom rack or even a nordstrom. And I never have luck at Ross except I do have a few finds from there. I found this amazing ballet flat there once and it had no mate-I literally searched the entire store for it, asked the workers- who were no help. Never found it. Boo. I haven't been in a Marshall's in forever, but they're owned by the same people as Tj Maxx. I love Tj Maxx, I always find something. I completely agree you can go crazy and if you see something you want- grab it! I have so many regrets :(
I went to Nordstrom Rack today and just posted pics of the things I bought! I am a HUGE fan of the Rack and, like you, can always find something to buy. I bought a couple suits there too ($99 for a CK suit--ridic!) as well as shoes, purses, and of course designer duds. I'm not really a fan of Marshall's...I don't think I've ever found anything there to buy. I used to love Ross but I don't have one anywhere near me anymore so I haven't been to one in years. I also LOVE Tj Maxx. It's very hit or miss but I've found some great designer pieces there.
I never knew Nordstrom Rack existed! lol
Ross & Marshalls: Can be great or can suck.
If you see makeup... open that baby up because it may be gross. I recently saw Lancome at my Marshalls UNTOUCHED! I was so excited, but I didn't buy anything. lol
Check out EVERYTHING! You never know what you will find. =D
I usually go to Ross when I'm out of town because there's not one here.
nordstrom rack = LOVE :p
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