In the mid-2000s, TJ Maxx took a page from Loehmann’s Back Room and rolled out designer boutiques to 40 stores around the country. Called The Runway, the store-in-a-store would feature garments from European and American designers priced up to 60% off retail.
Today, The Runway is still alive and well. It’s likely you’ve shopped TJ Maxx’s Runway without even knowing it — ever wondered why some TJ’s are amazing and others are not? The answer is usually because the amazing store is a Runway store.
This post may contain affiliate links*What designers are at The Runway by TJ Maxx?
As with TJ’s normal selection of garments, the inventory is always changing. You might find a Vince jogger set at the Runway today, for example. But once that jogger’s gone, it’s probably gone forever.
That means I can give you a list of designers that have been in TJ’s Runway store, but those designers may not continue to be represented at TJ Maxx. As long as we’re clear on that caveat, here are some designers that you *might* find in a TJ Maxx Runway store:
- Akris
- Balenciaga
- Herve Leger
- Givenchy
- Gucci
- Saint Laurent
- Stuart Weitzman
- Valentino
- Vince
- Jason Wu
That’s just a taste. Some Runway designers are very big names. But as you might expect, you’re likely to find last season’s stuff or pieces that are a step below what you’d find at Last Call.
What are the prices at TJ Maxx Runway stores?
To set expectations, the “discount” prices at Runway stores will feel astronomical if you’re a regular TJ Maxx shopper. To give you an example, you might find a Gucci bag for $1,700 instead of the normal $2,200 price.
Can I shop TJ Maxx Runway online?
Yes, you can shop TJ Maxx Runway online here. Sizing in the online store can be limited. You’re likely to find the same issue in the stores.
Does Runway have men’s clothes?
Most of the Runway stores focus on women’s pieces, but more than 40 of them have men’s collections also.
Which TJ Maxx locations are Runway stores?
You can find TJ Maxx runway stores in the following states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Washington, D.C.
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Tennessee
- Virginia
Find your closest TJ Maxx Runway store here.
How should I shop TJ Maxx Runway?
Use the shopping expertise you’ve developed from following Budget Fashionista over the years! If you need a recap, try our best shopping tips here.
The most important thing is to assess a price tag by the value you’ll get from that garment — not the name on the label. That sounds logical, but it’s harder to do in practice. Something happens when you see your favorite designer, be it Chanel or Jimmy Choo, on a label. Your brain tells you in that moment that $349 is a good price for shoes.
You’ll have to rein in that impulse while shopping at Runway stores. You might see big labels, but don’t get attached to anything until you: check the fit, check the quality, and confirm you can make an outfit out of that piece with clothes you already own. If you have to buy a new bag on top of the $349 shoes, it’s not a good deal.
Also, keep the return policy in mind when you shop — just in case you have buyer’s remorse.
Basically, shopping TJ Maxx Runway isn’t much different than shopping regular TJ Maxx stores or any other store. The prices might be higher, but the shopping fundamentals are the same.
Fran
Thursday 18th of June 2015
I purchased a Gucci bag at a TJ Maxx store. I wore it 3 times and it started to rip by the zipper. I shipped it to Gucci to get it repaired and they sent it back to me saying it is not a Gucci bag. So be careful what you buy from them because it's most likely not real. Your best bet is to go to the designer stores direct. I am now questioning the other bags I have bought there. I will no longer be purchasing designer items from them !!
aye
Tuesday 23rd of August 2011
Okay i found a pair of Loubi at TJ Maxx here in the midwest and i would like to know fashionista should i purchase or leave em be? Reasonably $400.00 and the box none and garment bag none. What should I do help?
TBF
Tuesday 23rd of August 2011
Are you buying them because their loubitions and you love the brand or are you buying them because they're a name brand? Use the cost per wear to figure out whether the shoes are worth it (are you going to really wear the shoes?).
Rob K.
Thursday 9th of September 2010
It's a shame they don't give the men/boys more of a selection at TJ Maxx (a larger section for us both would be nice, as well). I know most of the men out there have their wives or girlfriends do their shopping, but some of us can actually accomplish it on our own. It's difficult, though, when most stores are 90% aimed toward women. Oh well, guess we'll just have to settle for our 10%.
blegher
Tuesday 21st of April 2009
well its been a couple of years since u wrote this and i just want to say that runway at maxx is really nice very top end fashion designers for realllly cheap prices i bought 3 dresses very beautiful alice+olivia for under 130 each (:
Laura
Sunday 9th of September 2007
You can definately find some good deals at TJ Maxx, but I agree with the others, you have to have lots of time to sift through the junk. I found a $365 Joie puffer vest for $79.99, and a Theory cashmere V-neck sweater for $39.99 and a Theory cashmere cable-knit vest for $39.99 as well. I find alot of Theory, Juicy, and Michael Kors petite clothing. Sometimes I see some fairly good handbags, like Dooney and Coach. While I personally don’t carry those two brands (I am a Marc Jacobs gal), I have bought some of those cheap and sold them on Ebay for a nice profit. I would like to check out a runway dept. but no TJ Maxx where I live has one. Boohoo.