Findings at TK Maxx

Though I'm a die-hard bargain hunter, I have never been very good in TK Maxx (or TJ Maxx in America).  For those of you that don't know, it's basically a discount designer wear store that sells a plethora of random labels that you probably have never heard of but they like to claim that they're "BIG" labels.  It's pretty good if you want to get discount Diesel, French Connection or more street-orientated brands.  But I've never scored anything there that would be legitimately designer or anything nice for that matter.  I hear stories about guys picking up things like Comme des Garcons trousers, Dior jackets and I'm always very skeptical.

So today, I decided whilst I'm in that part of town (oh that's another thing.... it's like on the wrong side of town for me so it's a real trek to get there), I'd give TK Maxx a good rifling through.  I mean, I REALLY rifled.  I spent at least two hours combing through every rail for something decent.  As I predicted, the bulk of it was utter crap.  Tartan mini skirts with sequin applique, combat trousers in bright colours, lots of terrible knits, gaudy shoes in pleather but a lot of people were so enthusiastic about it all, that I knew there had to be something more. 

Sure enough, the goods started to surface.  Several items by Prada that though weren't cheap (£100) were significantly reduced and only a couple of seasons old.  A few random Roland Mouret pieces dotted about that aren't even conventional in design.  Like a black taffeta wrap around bustle attachment skirt.  Lots of See by Chloe and Calvin Klein that were very reasonably priced (all under £50).  The real surprises were the odd bits of Gucci, Marni, Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin that were strewn around.  It all looked a little bizarre how these things showed up since they were like needles in the haystack. 

So it's not some shopping urban legend that gems can be found at TK Maxx.  Even if you do need to devote a good chunk of your time rummaging through the racks like a woman possesed.  i bought a Roland Mouret top.  You can't see, but it has these really cool back fasteners.  It was just about all I could afford at £30 but the Prada stuff didn't fit me anyway.  That's another thing, popular sizes like 8's and 10's seem to be very much depleted in stock compared to the larger sizes.  Though I do like to try on everything just in case I can get away with it. 

I'm quite curious as to whether any of you have had any good TK/TJ Maxx scores? 

Comments

[yash]

i go to tj maxx exclusively for home decor, because fashion-wise at best, you'll see dkny and calvin klein but no chloe or mouret, not even fcuk or diesel! it's horrible.

[Chazz]

oh Susie Susie....please tell me which TK Maxx brach u went to???PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEEEE

[Lilah J]

I second that...TJ Maxx is like a warehouse full of the ugliest clothes you can imagine- I've never seen any designer clothes @ the TJ Maxx where I live.

Actually, my cousin and I sometimes have contests where we go through TJ Maxx and try to pick out the ugliest article of clothing we can find.Last time, the "winning" piece was a black sweater with a purple feathered neckline and cuffs and the words "So cute snow girls" printed on the front in blue glitter. Chic, no?

[Hannah]

From the few times I've visited TJ Maxx in the States, I have gathered that it is really nothing more than second-rate send-offs. The best I've seen is Michael Kors, DKNY, and Calvin Klein. And, of course, the only products by those designers happen to be the XXL flannel blouses with tiny elves parading along the stitching.
However, a sort of Candian version (I believe it is owned by the same company) is Winners. I almost always find something there that is no doubt affordable and adorable. I went there yesterday and came across the likes of Max Mara, BCBG, Michael Kors (loads from not too long ago), Coach, and Juicy Couture (gross, but my point is made). I find stores like these to be very hit or miss. But when you hit it, you hit it big.

Bought

- an oscar by oscar de la renta scarf, very beautiful

Seen:

7 by all mankind jeans
lots of coach purses
urban decay and hard candy makeup

[Eli]

Yes, agreed with you and the other comments. The stateside TJ Maxx's are usually completely picked over, and usually just bad stuff (but nothing compared to the nightmare that is Ross, ick). Those discount stores are usually just Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein stuff that I think moms wear. But I havent gone to one in a while, perhaps I should soon... I would love to find some nicer designer things there.

Im so baffled about why its called TK, instead of TJ, and not just the same thing.

[susie_bubble]

^Baffles me as well..... New Yorkers have Century 21 which is supposedly amazing.... so in that respect you guys win!

I went to the Hammersmith branch. It's just about the only one i can get to without venturing on the motorway - I don't drive!

[a.]

tj maxx here in the states has nothing of the likes of prada, mouret or see by chloe. i'm jealous. i go to ross and tj maxx solely for lingerie nowadays. nordstrom rack is the best chain i've found for discount high-end stuff (got a pair of old 7's for about $60, and marc jacobs heels for about the same, most recently). loehmann's also tries to claim on the "designer" discount market for itself, tho i never find anything good there. i've found that if you go to a ross/tj maxx in bigger cities/near better neighborhoods, the selection can be a lot better. for example, a couple of years ago, before i became a full-fledged fashion obsessive, i saw an absolutely BEAUTIFUL valextra bag at a tj's in LA, for almost nothing. i could tell it was really good quality right away, but hadn't ever heard of valextra... if only i knew. i still think about that bag.

[StColaPop]

i found cute things before a tj maxx. But eh. mostly business attire and casual wear. Things that did not require alot of effort to put together.

My big places to hit for discount goodies is Loehmans. They usually have better selections. Probably a dollar more than tjmaxx. I found an antonio berardi "2die4" line dress for 45$ and some bill tornade stuff for around 45$-89$.
loehmans love! <3. I can usually find more youth oriented clothes here.

http://www.loehmanns.com/i

[Geraden]

I keep a look out at TKMaxx for hosiery - I have got some good stuff there. Sometimes there is nothing at all however.

Geraden

http://geraden.blog-city.com/index.cfm?SEARCH=tkmaxx

[E...]

Bought:
Calvin Klein jacket
BCBG jacket

Saw:
a few Coach purses
some Dior jewelry

[poe]

i had no idea TJ MAXX sold designer stuff, but if i went to the one in my home town i bet i wouldn't find anything to brag about there. but still i must make a trip one of these days

[Eli]

I did find a Stella McCartney for Adidas top at Ross once, it is still very beautiful. Only 15American dollars.

[alice-chan]

i am amazed you have so many designers at your tkmaxx. the tjmaxx near my house only has the occasional dooney and bourke bag that probably has a huge line of red print on the front, is smudged with dirt, and discounted only 20$ or something. there's probably about 1 ralph lauren polo in a size 00 mixed in with loads of hideous knitwear

[maskedmannequin]

I found an Agent Provocateur bra once. Other than that...
oh a girl in my class at uni found a Vivienne Westwood bag. So I guess there are some but few and far between.

[Annie]

I bought a $120 BCBG jacket for only $20 at a TJ Maxx!! Also, I've seen some really good Coach purses, with real fur lining. And they have really suave shoes too, like Coach platforms.

[claire]

Yes, a lot of stuff at TK Maxx is indeed, crap.

But I did get my beloved Soundgirl hooded sleeveless top there, which is unbelievably cute :].

And also Levis denim skirts at £14.99 instead of £65. Can't beat that, really.

[fash ho']

hammersmith - aha! sounds like some good stuff in there.

i go to one where my parents live on the outskirts of london. there always seems to be loads of stuff by betty jackson studio, calvin klein and that kind of stuff. i think its one of those places you have to keep checking maybe . . . .

i got some diane von furstenberg luggage recently, and some lulu guinness shoes.

[ashley]

i'm from canada. i live in toronto and here we have a simular chain called 'Winners'

it is the same as TJ/TK Maxx in the sense that it is largely picked over clothing that no one wants. however i have gotten lucky and picked up some really great betsey johnson heels and tights, as well as miu miu sunglasses.

[Audrey]

My best TJ Maxx finds, stateside, was a large black leather Blumarine bag for around $150, which was like 95% off. Otherwise, they're good for designer jeans, like Sevens and Blue Cult; my favorite style of FRx jeans (a less-known "designer" brand) was discontinued and I hunted down three pairs in total from TJ and another similar store called Marshalls. Nordstrom Rack is excellent for shoes, but going through their clothing rack gives me a headache. And of course, in NYC, Century 21: everything there is at least 2 seasons old and the crowd has wisened up (on weekends it's a total war zone), but if you're willing to dig, there are lots of good stuff.

I've been to the TK Maxx in Brighton and thought it was horrid.

[Sandra]

I have better luck at finding designer at mu local thrift stores!

However, I have found a few good pieces at TJ Maxx:

1. Donald J Pliner mock croc pewter handbag with chain handles $30
2. Betsey Johnson dresses $60
3. Betsey Johnson silver beaded bag (not Betseville) $75

I do see a lot of Coach and Michael Kors at my local TJ Maxx

I prefer Nordstrom Rack.

[Lilly]

I once bought the cutest gold BCBG shoes at TJ Maxx in the states. I've gotten basic Polo Ralph Lauren stuff there really cheap. Sometimes they have Lilly Pulitzer, but yeah, you really have to pick through to find anything worthwhile among the ugly, tacky stuff.

[Susan]

tj maxx does suck...when i was in high school it was great to get cheapo trendy clothes, but now the rare times i drop by, i always walk out empty handed. in the states, of course in ny there's century 21, but here in southern california, my favorites are definitely Nordstrom Rack (they have alot of high-end designers these days ie. Burberry Prorsum, Phillip Lim, Derek Lam, Chloe, St. John, Prada, Rochas...etc...I was going crazy b/c even though I couldn't afford them I could at least touch them! Also great for shoes!), Loehmann's is also one of my favorites (havent seen many super high end names but you can get some cute Marc Jacobs things there once in awhile, & brands like Joie/Ben Sherman/FCUK/Free People/Calvin Klein etc...), & finally, Last Call Neiman Marcus...Neiman Marcus' outlet center where you can score past season Marc Jacobs/D&G/Prada/Gucci/Chanel...etc...

so great that they have these places where poor folk like me can actually afford to buy designer pieces without going homeless..

[ama]

I've been to a TK Maxx, near Liverpool and scored some amazing stuff. Prada, Gucci, Dior, YSL and didn't pay over 50 quid for anything. Having lived in NYC, I know you can score Missoni at the Filene's Basement at Union Square, I used to go to the one on 6th Ave to score Moschino, Prada, and Lanvin. But of course if you want more labels you go to Century 21. The best score at Century 21? I once scored a current season Chanel dress for 80 US. Here in Paris I have a few shops I frequent, but they're just outside of Paris that carry all the French labels, except they're removed. If you visit at the right moment you can buy amazing things. I bought one of the YSL FW2005 tweed skirts for 50 euros. But like any thrift/consignment/vintage/TK/Century/etc you have to be a digger. I've spent whole days (6 hours) digging at Century 21 before.

[minxster]

I once found a pair of Donna Karen shoes (mainline collection not DKNY) which I loved, but that's about it.

Oh and I once spoke to a girl who went to a US store like TK Maxx (I think it was called Marshalls) last year and scored those Chloe boots that were so hot last year. I think she paid US$200!?

[Taralyn]

OK so I'm from Canada, so it's called Winner's here but basicly has the same stuff.
I used to work there in the home departement and I would find great stuff all the time when I was working and it was all pretty cheap too. I once got this really cute tea set there for around $25 CAN and then found it at home on the internet for more than twice the price.
But there were some crazy shoppers that would spend all day there, buying stuff from every departement and then come back the next weekend.

[Jenny]

Ohmigosh I visited my TKMaxx for the first time today.
There was a lot of Chloe and D&G.
Best find: Chloe Top: RRP £105 On Sale £39.99 and it was nice. Black satin crop sleeved blouse with buttons and panelling.

[danyelle]

ummm i love tj maxx!

[Anneka]

TK Maxx last friday....
rummaged for about an hour... bought a Chloe top (don't know what season, but went shopping today and it looks like it's the coming spring fashion - pretty ruffles) on SALE for £7.00, no RRP attatched... but looked it up online and found it to be worth somewhere in the region of £270-£300.
BARGAIN - wore it shopping and was eyed up a lot... especially in bluewater (designer shopping mall).

[Beki]

Hi, I live in Bristol where we have three branches of TK Maxx.....seems that each store caters for very different market. I bought a gorgeous VIA REPUBBLICA oversized black patent bag today, a DIOR jacket for my little girl, TIMBERLAND jeans for my teenage son, MAX MARA white shirt for me and a VALENTINO suit and an ED HARDY beanie for my bloke. Today was a good day...this was all from the branch in The Galleries, Bristol. Have shopped there for years but some times you can go months with out seeing a damn thing! Keep searching..It's just down to luck.