Department stores have long been considered a fashion lover’s favorite one-stop shopping experience. They are excellent places to go to get all your shopping completed in one place, without traipsing around many different stores all day.

These large retail establishments house many different brands and are divided in store according to different categories: e.g., makeup and skincare, menswear, womenswear, lingerie, homeware, and so on.

Department stores were popularized in Great Britain in the 19th century alongside an increased appreciation for luxurious living and fashion. They have since become a global phenomenon and a favored way to shop by many.

In this article we have outlined our top picks of the best department stores for fashion shopping:

1) Nordstrom

Nordstrom is one of the classic American chains of luxury department stores. It was originally founded as a shoe store in 1901 and has since branched out into many other departments. They now sell a wide variety of items across the fashion spectrum, including clothing, accessories, jewelry, and fragrances.

Nordstrom is the ideal department store for fashion lovers as they have concessions of some of the most fashionable mid-to-high-end brands such as Free People, Gucci, Birkenstock, Topshop, and Madewell.

2) TJ Maxx

If Nordstrom is slightly outside of your budget, TJ Maxx is a great fashion-focused department store.

They often source older season branded clothing and sell it for a generally lower price than other department stores, and they rotate their stock quickly so you can be sure to find a hidden gem each time you visit! You can even expect designer labels at a discounted cost, so TJ Maxx is always worth checking out.

3) Macy’s

Next on our list of great department stores for fashion shopping is Macy’s. This is one of America’s best-known and oldest department stores and it sells an array of clothing to suit everyone. Their collections range from their affordable own-brand clothing to trendy high street brands like Mango and Juicy Couture, as well as designer brands such as Armani Exchange, DKNY, and Calvin Klein.

4) Barneys New York

This iconic New York City department store was a cultural favorite for decades. They, however, fell victim to rapidly increasing rent prices in NYC and were hit badly by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following almost a year’s absence from the high-street, they have returned under the new ownership of Saks Fifth Avenue. You can expect the same – if not better – high-quality fashion garments and boutique labels such as Fear of God and Reese Cooper.

5) Neiman Marcus

Neiman Marcus is best known for its range of luxury and designer styles for men, women, and children. So, if you’re looking to view all the latest designer styles in one place, this is a great department store option.

You can find perfectly curated designer collections from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Chloe, Stella McCartney, Dolce & Gabbana, and many more across their vast range of shoes, clothing, and handbags.