Maxximum Designer Surprises at TJ Maxx in Glendale

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• Helmut Lang twisted tunic, $119
• Helmut Lang asymmetric top, $79
• Rebecca Taylor bustier dress, $149
• Cynthia Vincent zip-front dress, $179
• M Missoni ruched sleeve jacket, $349
• Theory pleated dress, $219
• Sachin & Babi droopy crotch trousers, $99
• Stella McCartney faux suede bag, $699

During a recent outing with a friend, she confessed that she just dropped $700 at TJ Maxx in Glendale. Which sent the mind reeling -- the last time we were there, we would have been hard-pressed to spend even $7, so we demanded to know what she bought. She said the store has a sizable stash of merchandise from some pretty top-tier contemporary designers like Helmut Lang, Elizabeth & James, and Rag & Bone. Obviously, we needed to check it out ourselves to corroborate her kind of unbelievable claim.

Corroborate we did. The TJ Maxx in Glendale, otherwise filled with a maudlin collection of old Macy's and JCPenny cast-offs, has one special, shining golden area stuffed with labels that will make you do a double take. There's a nice trove of designer bags, including Lanvin, Prada, Stella McCartney and Jimmy Choo, starting at $695.

The Helmut Lang selection was more interesting than the assortment of Elizabeth & James -- the former featured at least five or six different styles of tops, leather pants, leather leggings, jeans, and mixed-media pants while the Elizabeth and James stuff was mainly shirts and jackets.

Besides a good range of pieces from Theory (work-ready blouses, trousers and jackets to pretty dresses) and Nanette Lepore, we found a few interested pieces from cult favorite Sachin and Babi. Maybe Leifsdotter isn't a name of the same caliber as Prada, but there's plenty of pieces on hand, including some seasonally appropriate fuzzy sweaters and jackets. Lots of separates, starting at $49.

And speaking of sweaters, there's a hidden stockpile of Vince, too. We saw short and long sleeved slinky knit sweaters (starting at $59), long, drapy open cardigans and a few pants, too.

Regrettably, no fancy shoes anywhere in site.

It may be a shlep from most parts of LA, but it's so worth it. And while you're there, put yourself in multi-task errand mode: the TJ Maxx is next door to Whole Foods, Ralphs, Nordstrom Rack, Pet Smart and just down the street from Trader Joe's.
· TJ Maxx [Official Site]