Nordstrom Rack.
That’s it. That’s literally the answer. There is no “cone of interpretation” in this case, this is the only correct answer.
First off, let me make it very clear how important that second word is, “Rack”. Yep. Super duper important. Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack are on two different levels, as I’m sure you can imagine from the names. But don’t be fooled, Nordstrom Rack is, in fact, superior. I guess if you haven’t heard me talk about Nordstrom Rack you either live under a rock or never converse with me because I think this store might possibly be in every single conversation I have. Ever. For good reason though.
Basically Nordstrom Rack is where all the rejects from Nordstrom go. Because Nordstrom is so expensive, their items have to be in perfect shape for them to put them in the store. If there ever is a problem; a mis-sewn stitch, a color mishap, or even just an overstock, they get shipped off to be sold for a discounted price at Nordstrom Rack. I have found that oftentimes, there isn’t really a problem with the clothes and Nordstrom just produced too many for their own store to hold. In that case, you are getting perfectly good quality clothes and other items for this sale price.
Let me highlight some of the reasons it’s the best store and maybe get you on my side:
#1 – They sell literally everything you could ever want. From jewelry to athleticwear, shoes, makeup, home decor, formal wear for men, seasonal wear, sleepwear, fancy dresses; I think you see the point. This makes a trip out to this store so incredibly convenient. Not only can you find a great homecoming dress for a great price, but in the same place, you can find some cute fall decor to make your house 10x cuter. Boom, a 2-for-1 right there.
#2 – CHEAP! As I mentioned before, the items are discounted in the first place. I would say you never really find anything that isn’t at least 30% – 40% off the original price. A steal right there. On top of that, they have an awesome rewards program, The Nordy Club. You get amazing first picks at items and deals, clearance off of the clearance, etc. What’s not appealing about that? Even for non-rewards members, they are constantly having sales like their “Clear the Rack” sale and their “Anniversary Sale”. You never pay as much as the tag says!
#3 – You get the best quality brands for less. Nordstrom itself is a fancy store, meaning they really are selling the best quality of items on the market. As a result, Nordstrom Rack is selling the best quality items as well. Personally, I’ve found tops from Madewell, popular Levi jeans (which by the way can retail for almost $100, but I got them for $40!), winter outerwear from Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, etc. You literally can’t go wrong!
#4 – They keep their items in style and trendy. It’s really common to think that since they sell things for such great prices that everything is out of style or out of season but that’s exactly the opposite. They keep their racks updated with new styles all the time. If it’s winter, they have all the best warm cozy jackets, and during the summer their aisles are lined with vacation clothes and flip flops and pool accessories and more.
#5 – The employees provide amazing customer service. I can confidently say that never once have I encountered a worker there that doesn’t love to help in any way they can and doesn’t love their job as well. They are so dedicated to helping you find exactly what you need and the best deals for everything. Personally, I have had so many great experiences. There was one time that an employee went out of her way to spend about 15 minutes with me and my friends showing us how to get the best deals on the app/the rewards program and even how to get double deals on their clearance items. I don’t know a ton of stores where you can find this!
#6 – IT’S ORGANIZED! I actually think this is a really important point to end off on. Honestly, there are many stores that sell discounted items, to name a few of my favorite; TJ Maxx, Home Goods, even Good Will when I have the patience. But all of those stores are a mess! Nordstrom Rack is super organized, even in their clearance racks. Sizes are grouped off where necessary and similar items are placed near each other. Because they get all the rejects from Nordstrom, they almost always have multiple of an item and even multiple in every size, a luxury you definitely don’t get at those other discount stores. It makes the shopping process that much better!
If you can’t tell from my in-depth knowledge of everything there is to know about Nordstrom Rack, I really love to shop here. Most days, at least one item of clothing or another accessory I’m wearing is from there. On our field trip to see Romeo + Juliet today in Chicago, every single thing I was wearing was from there. Oops.
I chose to share my blog on this so that each and every one of you can reap the amazing benefits as well. If I haven’t totally 100% swayed you after you finish reading, please reach out to me and we can go on a shopping trip there together and I’ll give you all the ins and outs. I’m always looking for new excuses to go back!
Happy Shopping!:)
-Gabby
Wait this is perfect… I’m low key trying to upgrade my wardrobe but I don’t want to spend hours at the mall were everything is really confusing (why are the hollister and american eagle logos both birds??) and spread out. Right now, I have a few tops and pants that I mix and match throughout the week, but I’m hoping to diversify my style :P. My mom likes shopping at TJ maxx but the last time I went all they had were like oversized graphic tees and dress shirts. I like Nordstrom’s business model of selling high quality brands at lower prices and I’m interested to see what their men’s selections are. I think there’s one next to the Dicks sporting goods on 75th? So I’ll definitely check it out the next time I’m there to buy like a baseball glove or something. Nice post!
Oh my gosh. I absolutely love Nordstrom Rack. The deals there are ridiculous; I could get a nice top for $9 that was originally marked at $67. There are so many good designer brands of high quality. Being the avid shopper I am, Nordstrom Rack is dangerous for me. I will be tempted to buy anything that catches my eyes. I could spend hours shopping in just one section, grabbing anything that looks good and could fit me. Then I would rush to the dressing rooms to try on each outfit. Luckily for me, I trained myself to only buy outfits that I would know I would wear in the near future. Unfortunately, due to my former uncontrollable spending habits, I have lots of outfits in my closet that I rarely wear. But don’t worry, I donate clothes that I don’t wear!
I was going to make a snarky comment about the wonders of TJ MAXX but you have me beat on #6. You really cannot beat Nordstrom Rack when it comes to cheap prices, quality clothes, AND sheer neatness which makes it easier to actually find the good stuff without have to take a break in between. The picture examples are SOOO accurate and I had never stopped to think about how nice the NR workers are, but they always go to the back and will help you put together looks.
I LITERALLY LOVE Nordstrom Rack, I think we discuss this on a daily basis haha. I totally agree with everything you said, Nordstrom Rack is the single best place to shop for clothes and to look great on a budget. The organization of the store really sets it a part from all of the other similar places like you mentioned (TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc.) and it is so easy to find gems there at really low prices. I actually found my homecoming dress there that used to be upwards of $275 for $37 and I have never gotten more compliments on a piece of clothing than that one. If I’m looking for anything at all, Nordstrom Rack is my favorite place to look since it seriously has everything you could ever ask for – all of the middle-high end clothing pieces for such a big discount. You’re totally right, regular Nordstrom has nothing on Nordstrom Rack. One of the best parts, too, of Nordstrom Rack, is finding something deep in one of the clearance racks that is a brand I would be too cheap to purchase in the first place, but instead for a really low price. Finding such items is so satisfactory and because of this I can literally spend hours just perusing Nordstrom Rack. I love Nordstrom as much as you do and many of my outfits are also Nordstrom Rack head-to-toe. Loved this post and we should all take a group outing to Nordstrom Rack 🙂