Our Back to School Finds at T.J.Maxx

I heart T.J.Maxx and Marshalls. I really do. My husband grew up shopping there, but I didn’t gain an appreciation for the stores until a couple of years ago. I think the main reason I didn’t shop there is because I wasn’t educated on what they offered in their stores. I remember at one time thinking they only carried damaged items that the department stores didn’t want. Boy was I wrong.

T.J.Maxx and Marshalls carry high quality, top name brands at extremely affordable prices. Once I went into one of their stores and really looked around, I was hooked and have been shopping there ever since.

I recently had the chance to go shopping with my middle son for a few back-to-school items. With our $50 gift card in hand, we headed to T.J.Maxx and found some fabulous deals. We were on the hunt for hoodies and long sleeve button up shirts. Here’s one hoodie we found that would have been $45 in a department store, but we snagged it for $14.99.

We also found some button up flannel shirts, which are always a big trend for the guys when fall rolls around. You can wear them open with a tee underneath or buttoned up.

Did I mention that we saw tons and tons of name brand apparel. My son loves Hurley, American Eagle Outfitters, Volcom…all of which we found at T.J. Maxx during our shopping trip.

I would definitely say that our best back to school find was the stripped hoodie. It was priced just right and it fits perfectly. It was even great for some trampoline fun.

When it comes to back  to school shopping, we all want to get the best bang for our buck right?

That’s what the parents want. What do the kids want? Name brands. You can try to fight them all you want, but heck, we were all kids once and I guarantee you most of us also wanted those name brands on our clothing. In fact, throughout my years of purchasing back to school clothes, I have found that the name brand pieces are better made. Bottom line – They last longer. They wash better. My kids will actually wear them.

By shopping at T.J.Maxx, parents won’t need to be freaked out by those pricey tags. “What?! You want me to spend $50 on that one shirt?” Yep, I’ve said that before.

T.J.Maxx and Marshalls have high quality apparel for teens and kids (and moms too!).

You’ll see the same exact brands, the same exact clothes that you would in a department store, but for 20% to 60% less. How are they able to do this you might ask? And no, it’s not because the clothes are damaged like I once thought!  Because of their wide and frequent buyer market trips, they are able to purchase closer to need and be smarter about capitalizing on the trends.

Afraid you might find clothes that aren’t considered trendy anymore and your kids will turn up their noses?

It won’t happen. That was definitely my experience and let’s just say my middle son knows what he wants when it comes to his wardrobe. The buyers for T.J.Maxx and Marshalls are trend experts. They know exactly what to look for and exactly what to buy. They work very closely with the designers.

Every single week both stores receive more than 10,000 new items to restock their shelves. You will be blown away at the deals you can score. Blown away.

If you still have some back to school shopping to do or your own wardrobe could use some new pieces, do yourself a favor, pop into your local T.J.Maxx and/or Marshalls and have a look around. You won’t be disappointed.

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of T.J.Maxx and Marshalls and received a gift card to facilitate my review and thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Marshalls Experiment – $100, 7 Different Looks – Plus a Contest!

I had an amazing opportunity to travel to the Marshalls in Burbank, CA a couple of weeks ago and had the time of my life! Not only did I get to meet and learn from celebrity stylist Alison Deyette, but I learned so much about Marshalls and purchasing designer must-haves for 60% less than department and specialty stores. If you love designer duds, but you hate (or can’t!) pay the prices, then Marshalls is the perfect place for you!

Over the next coming weeks, I’ll be talking about Marshalls, some must-have pieces and trends for Fall 2010. But first, I have to tell you about a challenge they gave me.

Marshalls challenged me to go on a ‘shopping diet’ with them this fall. Yep, you heard me right – a shopping diet. Here’s what they did and asked me to do. They gave me $100 to go shopping and find pieces that I could incorporate into my existing wardrobe. Armed with my gift card, some fabulous tips from Alison Deyette and a shopping cart, I hit the store on a mission.

They then challenged me to take the pieces I bought and work them into what was already in my closet and create 7 different looks to carry me through the week. I created 7 outfits – some that are perfect for days at the office and others that are fabulous for nights out and weekends with friends and family.

Would you like to see what I bought? I thought you would!

I purchased 5 items for $100! Here’s the breakdown of what I walked away with:

  • Steve Madden boots – $50
  • Almost Famous jeans – $5 (that’s right, 5 bucks!!)
  • Kenar purple sleeveless shirt -$10
  • Velvet gray cardigan – $20
  • Rachel & Chloe green military style shirt – $15

Here’s me at Marshalls with some of my goods. (There was a GORGEOUS infinity scarf in the brown gift bag I am holding. I love it!)

I felt like I did really well on the challenge and was able to put together 7 outfits that I love and will wear all throughout the fall. Here they are!

Outfit #1: Casual, Comfortable, Military Fall Trend

  • Steve Madden boots
  • Rachel & Chloe Green Military Style Shirt
  • Almost Famous Jeans

Outfit #2 – Perfect for a night out, Animal Print Fall Trend

  • Almost Famous Jeans
  • Leather Boots (already in closet)
  • Zebra Print Jacket (already in closet)

Outfit #3 – Perfect for the Office on Casual Friday, Added color with accessories  – Fall trend

  • Velvet cardigan
  • Black tee (already in closet)
  • Dark wash jeans (already in closet)
  • Black Ballet flats (already in closet)
  • Accessories – red necklace and black and red purse (already in closet)

Outfit #4- Ready for the Office

  • Kenar Purple Sleeveless Shirt
  • Gray slacks (already in closet)
  • Black heels (already in closet)
  • Purple clutch (already in closet)

Outfit #5 – Took outfit #4 from office to night

  • Kenar purple sleeveless shirt
  • Almost Famous jeans
  • Black ballet flats (already in closet)
  • Purple clutch (already in closet)

Outfit #6 – Casual and Comfortable, Fall trend: Chunky Infinity Scarf

  • Chunky Infinity Scarf (Gift from Marshalls)
  • Black tee (already in closet)
  • Camel colored cords (already in closet)
  • Steven Madden boots – worn under pants instead of over

Outfit #7 – Perfect outfit for the weekend! Fall trend: Add punches of color with accessories

  • Velvet gray cardigan
  • Black tee (already in closet)
  • Almost Famous jeans
  • Steve Madden boots
  • Pink necklace (already in closet)

As you can see, I made 7 outfits from just 5 pieces that I love! With some smart shopping , the knowledge of fall trends and knowing what you already have in your closet, you can create so many different combinations. I walked away from this experience with a love for Marshalls and the designer clothes they have to offer, as well as knowing how important it is to shop smart. Bottom line: Buy some well-made, key pieces that you can mix and match and you will be set.

Now for YOUR chance to do some Marshalls shopping! One lucky reader will win a $25 gift card to Marshalls. YAY! Here are the rules:

  • Comment on which outfit of mine is your favorite and why. Just leave your comment on this post.
  • Comment on what you would buy with your $25. Just leave your comment on this post.
  • Contest open to U.S. residents only.
  • Contest ends on October 23rd.

Good luck and be sure to check for the nearest Marshalls store to you!

Side note: I didn’t go on this trip alone. There were some other fabulous bloggers there who were given the same challenge. Check out how they did:

Disclaimer: Marshalls sponsored my trip out to California, as well as provided me with the $100 gift card to shop.