I’ve been a TJ Maxx and Marshalls fan for as long as I can remember (TJ Maxx was my first retail job, after all). In person, I love to scour the racks for deals like a treasure hunt. Online, I can take more time and refine my search. Either way, it’s always guaranteed that I cart up a new purse, cardigan, boot, or literally any new fashion fixation every time I peruse. TJ Maxx and Marshalls simply always deliver for me.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. I chatted with some TJ Maxx and Marshalls style experts who shared their love of the retailers as well as their tips for shopping there and building outfits that you actually love. Trend forecaster and content creator Mandy Lee and celebrity stylist and creative director Erin Walsh sat down to talk transitional-weather staples, fall fashion trends, and styling tips to fully honor your personal style… and get the most bang for your buck!
“It’s funny with fashion. I think so many people think that it’s a luxury, but one of my favorite things about working with TJ Maxx and Marshalls is showing that fashion is not a luxury. It’s, like, the ultimate democratizing thing,” Walsh tells Refinery29. “We all have to get dressed in the morning. It’s not about buying something expensive. It’s about buying something that connects you with that feeling of the person you want to be.”
So who do you want to be? Lee explains: “The act of getting dressed every day is a really beautiful and powerful act of self-care in a way, but also, it teaches you so much about your style.” And her 75 Hard style challenge, which encourages taking a break from shopping and reassessing your closet, has taught her to shop for the gaps in her wardrobe. “I knew I needed a plain black mini skirt. So I went to the TJ Maxx on Sixth right after the challenge was done. It teaches you what you need to stretch your wardrobe further.”
In addition to minimal staple pieces, Lee recommends carting up accessories to personalize your wardrobe and play with trends. “I love the wedge trend. So I think how a wedge will translate into the fall will be exciting,” she says, adding: “A feathered or wood bag vibe for the fall would be really cool, too.”
She also believes that the maximalism we saw on the streets and runways this summer will carry into the cooler months. “The biggest theme I noticed for the fall season is that everything has movement, everything has texture, lots of shine, lots of color.” So consider a chunky sequined cocktail dress for shine and texture or a satin scarf top for flowy movement.
Another hot tip for elevating your wardrobe (without breaking the bank) is to peruse TJ Maxx’s Runway section, which features designer brands (like Burberry and Jason Wu) at steep discounts. “I’m a fashion girl, so I start off in the Runway section,” Walsh reveals. “I find great transitional pieces there. I tend to think in terms of lightweight jackets and tossing a knit over my shoulders. I love sweater vests. And you can play around either in a monochromatic way or use that as a color pop.”
Walsh adds that for fall, she gravitates towards chunky metal jewelry as well as houndstooth and checkered prints. But her sneakiest, smartest tip may be this: “I’m not opposed to going snooping in the men’s section and get something oversized to mix in.” Think: fall cardigans and chunky sweaters for extra coziness.
“In my book, the whole method of what I’m offering to the world is this ethos of honoring yourself every day by asking: ‘How do I want to feel? What is the intention of the person I want to be?'” Because of that, she says that you should shop for pieces that serve you, including future you. “I love fashion as a means for manifestation, a tool for embodying the best version of yourself, to reconnect with your personal joy and connect with community because what you wear embodies the story that you’re telling to the world.”
So, go on and tell your story, manifest your best life (and wardrobe), and indulge in a little TLC retail therapy.
Shop all Marshalls & TJ Maxx
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