I can hear the collective groan from all of the fashionistas who turn up their noses at shopping the aisles of the local Walmart. I get it. Shopping for work-wear or date-night outfits just yards from the frozen food aisle isn’t the most immersive apparel shopping experience — but there are deals to be had, so bear with me.
Here are the essential tips for shopping Walmart fashion, followed by an overview of sizing and quality.
Dos and don’ts for shopping Walmart fashion
Keep these strategies and details in mind to make the most of your Walmart fashion shopping experience.
1. Know your lines
Walmart’s in-house and exclusive fashion brands have range, in style, price point, and quality. Not all of them are memorable or worth your shopping brainpower. Here’s my take.
Free Assembly and Scoop are two of Walmart’s exclusive lines, and both are noteworthy. Free Assembly focuses on high-end basics, like structured denim, polished knits, and clean-lined dresses. Scoop, which started out as a popular boutique, now sells runway-inspired clothes with a budget price tag.
Read next: Walmart Free Assembly: Budget pieces you’ll love wearing
For women’s essentials, look to the Time and Tru brand. The line-up includes reliable denim, casual tops and seasonal staples at budget prices. Terra & Sky is pretty reliable for accessible, plus-size silhouettes with comfort-focused cuts. The juniors brand, No Boundaries, leans into youthful trends with cropped fits, bold prints, and fast-fashion energy. And Athletic Works offers gym-day basics, like sweats and running tops.
Read next: Scoop returns: What we’re loving from the Walmart line
2. Know when to shop in store
Avoid weekends and evenings wherever possible, mostly for your own sanity.
Walmart stores generally get shipments and restock nightly, so for the best selection, you should arrive early in the morning. And for markdowns and clearance? Walmart’s markdown schedules differ from store to store. You can try asking of the store staff members for the clearance and markdown schedule.
3. Take advantage of shipping and delivery options
Most fashion and everyday items qualify for standard home delivery. Orders over $35 qualify for free home delivery. If you spend less, you’ll pay a $6.99 delivery fee.
You can also opt for curbside pickup, which is often available on the same-day for in-stock items. Again, there is a minimum order threshold of $35 and a fee of $6.99 for smaller orders.
Walmart+ members qualify for free next-day or two-day delivery on eligible orders with no minimum purchase. Many items are also eligible for same-day home delivery for free with a $35 order minimum, or for $2.95 on smaller orders.
4. Try it on if you can
Avoid online fashion purchases until you’re familiar with the brands and how they fit. Walmart carries a mix of in-house brands and exclusive labels, and each one has its own quirks. Scroll down for an overview on fits by brand.
Read next: What happened to Eloquii Elements at Walmart?
5. Beware of the marketplace
Marketplace listings include boutique-style clothing, fast-fashion imports, and nationally recognized brands that aren’t part of Walmart’s core lineup. The upside is variety — more styles, more sizes and more fashion-forward options. The trade-off is inconsistency. Prices, quality and shipping policies vary by seller, and returns do not follow the same process as Walmart-sold items.
Generally, third-party sellers are more restrictive about returns than Walmart. Protect yourself by reading the seller’s terms before you buy.
Read next: Walmart return policy: How it works
6. Join Walmart+ if it makes sense
Walmart has a subscription membership program that rivals Prime. It’s called Walmart+ and the perks include free shipping, free home delivery, gas discounts, and free streaming content. If you live near a Walmart store, Walmart+ is worth checking out.
Read next: These 4 Walmart+ perks are worth $800+ annually
Size and fit
Walmart sizing is designed to be accessible and easy to shop, but fit varies by brand and category. Generally, the pieces are cut for comfort and everyday wear. That translates to more relaxed fits than sharply tailored ones.
What it means: Walmart is a good choice for casual basics, but often less useful for work-wear and upgraded, sophisticated looks.
True-to-size brands
These brands are known for having true-to-size fits.
- Free Assembly. Consistent, modern fits comparable to Target’s A New Day or Old Navy.
- Time and Tru. Everyday basics with forgiving silhouettes.
- Terra & Sky. Plus-size line designed with realistic proportions and ease through the hip and bust.
Brands with smaller or juniors-oriented fits
- No Boundaries. A juniors brand with narrower cuts and cropped fits.
- Scoop. Stylish and sometimes more fitted, especially in woven tops and dresses.
Walmart fit tips
- Stretch denim often fit comfortably, but non-stretch jeans may run tighter through the waist.
- Dresses with smocking or elastic panels are more forgiving.
- Tailored pieces are hit-and-miss. Things like blazers may require sizing up depending on your shoulders and bust.
- Lengths can skew shorter in juniors lines and longer in basics.
When in doubt, check reviews. Walmart customers are vocal about fit, and their feedback usually reflects size accuracy better than the brand descriptions.
Walmart quality overview
Walmart’s overall quality has improved thanks to the addition of more reliable brands like Free Assembly and Scoop. Even so, quality varies by brand and category.
Higher-quality brands
- Free Assembly. One of the best values in big-box fashion. Expect relatively better fabrics, thoughtful stitching, and silhouettes that feel current without being overly trendy.
- Scoop. High-style looks made from good materials for the price. Shop Scoop for statement pieces.
- Time and Tru. Reliable basics like tees, casual sweaters and denim with good cost-per-wear value.
- Athletic Works activewear. Comfortable and durable enough for regular workouts.
Categories to avoid
- Ultra-cheap tops made of thin jersey
- Shoes under $20
- Anything tailored
- Embellished garments using glue rather than stitching
How to spot the good stuff
- Look for cotton, linen or better blends. They tend to feel nicer and last longer.
- Check for finished seams and stitching that lies flat.
- Feel the fabric weight. Thinner pieces can fall apart after a few washes.
- Compare pricing within a category. Often, you can spend a few dollars more for much higher quality.
Bottom line
Walmart can be a source of good fashion buys, if you can separate the good from the bad quickly. Make this store part of your budget fashion toolkit by learning the brands and how fit and inspecting clothes in store when possible. Once you’re comfortable, you can shift to buying online to make use of Walmart’s convenient shipping and delivery options.