Andrea Sittema of Akron leaves T.J. Maxx at Chapel Hill yesterday. Sittema said she shops there because she can get good merchandise for the price. AMANDA SOWARDS | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: Carl Schierhorn

Shelves and displays are filled with a variety of trendy, name-brand clothing. After sifting through the racks, a DKNY jacket pops up for $30. More exploring unearths a long-sleeve American Eagle shirt for only $5. An X.O.X.O. purse, originally featured at the mall, hangs on the wall with a $10 pricetag attached.

Thrift stores aren’t the only place to find name brands at bargain prices. Now, college students can find trendy fashions for less at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.

Laura McDowell, spokeswoman for TJX, the parent company that owns both Marshalls and T. J. Maxx, said the company is an off-price retailer.

According to the T.J. Maxx Web site, being an off-price retailer means its buyers make more trips out into the market to find the best deals and the best products for consumers.

Additionally, the site said this process enables the company to be more educated about the latest trends. McDowell said this is why each store has its own one-of-a-kind selection.

“Every T.J. Maxx or Marshalls is different from the store in the next town over,” McDowell said.

McDowell also said the two stores carry fashions for the entire family. She said giftware, domestics, shoes and other accessories are also available in the stores.

In terms of prices, McDowell said it all depends on the designer brand.

“We never know what brands will show up at the stores,” McDowell said.

Jess Anthony, freshman fashion design and merchandising major, said she goes to Marshalls more than T.J. Maxx because it’s closer to her house.

“I love it because they have designer stuff for really cheap,” Anthony said.

Anthony said she bought something from Marshalls during the holidays.

“I bought a pair of purple UGGs for $50 over Christmas break,” Anthony said.

She said she also makes amusing purchases at T.J. Maxx.

“I also just bought a pair of ‘Missy Elliott by Adidas’ tennis shoes at T.J. Maxx for 20 bucks, and they have her face on them. They’re really funny,” Anthony said.

Anthony added she would encourage other college students to shop at these stores because of their affordable selection.

McDowell also said college students should shop at the two stores because of the merchandise offered at “amazing price points.”

Nicole Smith, junior integrated health studies major, said she has shopped at T.J. Maxx.

“I bought shoes there and they were like $15, I think. They were dress shoes,” Smith said.

Smith said she liked how there were so many different items available in the store.

“They had a really wide variety of things, and their prices were really good,” Smith said.

She also suggests students make a trip there.

According to McDowell, students should choose Marshalls or T.J. Maxx “if you want the latest trends and fashions, but you don’t want to pay full price.”

Imagine once again the stock-piled shelves and overflowing racks of trendy, name-brand merchandise. No longer will a trip to the mall or thrift stores be necessary.

Contact features correspondent Nedda Pourahmady at [email protected].