Regular Nordstrom has a great sale right now & has free shipping & dead easy returns. I'd just order from them right now & then return anything that I found elsewhere at a better price.

Nordstrom Rack is more "reliable," as others have already stated. I also find it's better for shoes. Off 5th and Last Call have some awesome deals but they also have a lot of weird stuff.

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Definitely Off 5th. Nordstrom Rack seems to carry things that Nordstrom never would.

The new Marshall's and the larger TJ Maxx in Friendship Heights have good high-end stuff also.

If you want more fashionable clothes, Off 5th hands down. Nordstrom Rack has everyday suburban gear. Off 5th is more more high end. I really like Last Call too. I go to the one in Rockville quite a bit. The one in Arundel Mills is better though.

I prefer Nordstrom Rack.

When you are bargain shopping at stores like Rack etc., you are going to need to hunt. I'd start at the place closest to you and come prepared to really go through the racks and try stuff on.

If you don't find everything you want, drive out to Off 5th or come back in two weeks. It's more of a treasure hunt than a shopping excursion.

You might just want to head to an outlet mall as it is hit or miss at any one store. I believe that Potomac Mills has Nordstrom Rack and Off 5th and Arundel Mills has NM Last Call and Off 5th. There are the outdoor outlets too but in this weather you may want to stay indoors.

IMO the Rack is more reliable, but if you really want top brands at a big discount, you need to check all three: the Rack, Off 5th and NM Last Call.
I also recommend that you check their parent stores. They are still running end of year clearances and good deals can be had.

I'm going back to work and want to pick up some high-quality stuff but don't want to pay full price. There's a Nordstrom rack near my house that is pretty good, but I'm wondering if it is worth the trek to an Off 5th to see if they have a good selection of high-end work clothes like Theory, Akris, Vince, etc. Are there other stores that do high end at lower prices? I used to love Loehmann's when it was in friendship heights but that has been years gone now. TIA!