Stores Like Bloomingdale’s: 12 Upscale Department Store Alternatives
Text
About Bloomingdale's
Founded
1861
USA
Ships to
US and select international
Sizes
XS-XXL, plus and petite vary by brand
Editor-reviewed
Every recommendation read and refined by hand
Honest tradeoffs
Drawbacks listed, not hidden
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to be ranked
The contemporary floor — the one with Theory, Vince, Eileen Fisher, the carefully edited Aqua house line, the little brown bag handed over like a small trophy — used to feel like the reason to schlep to 59th and Lex. That energy, the sense that someone with taste had narrowed the field down for you, has quietly drifted to the brands themselves and to a handful of multi-brand sites that update faster than any department store floor.
What's left at Bloomingdale's is a real squeeze. The pricing sits firmly in premium territory, but the curation that once justified it now competes with Net-a-Porter shipping the same Khaite and Ganni in two days and with the brands' own direct sites running better return policies.
The store footprint, meanwhile, is thin outside the big metros, so for most shoppers it's already an online experience anyway.
And online is exactly where Bloomingdale's no longer wins on its own terms. Where you go next depends on whether you're chasing the designer ceiling, the contemporary middle, or the same labels for less.
What's left at Bloomingdale's is a real squeeze. The pricing sits firmly in premium territory, but the curation that once justified it now competes with Net-a-Porter shipping the same Khaite and Ganni in two days and with the brands' own direct sites running better return policies.
The store footprint, meanwhile, is thin outside the big metros, so for most shoppers it's already an online experience anyway.
And online is exactly where Bloomingdale's no longer wins on its own terms. Where you go next depends on whether you're chasing the designer ceiling, the contemporary middle, or the same labels for less.
Quick decision
Narrow it down
Price
Best for
Jump to a brand
12 brands
The 12 Best Alternatives to Bloomingdale's
1
Nordstrom
Est. 1901
Seattle, USA
≈
similar
Shoppers who want the full department store range with better service
The closest analog to Bloomingdale's contemporary-plus-designer mix, with the same Theory, Vince, and Reformation racks but a deeper shoe hall and famously generous returns.
Pros
- Legendary no-questions return policy
- Strong contemporary and designer overlap with Bloomingdale's
- Excellent shoe and beauty selection
Cons
- Anniversary Sale hype can overshadow the year-round range
- Designer top end is shallower than Saks or Neiman
Visit Nordstrom
Full guide: Stores Like Nordstrom
2
Saks Fifth Avenue
Est. 1924
New York, USA
$$$
pricier
Shoppers trading up from contemporary into true designer
Pushes the same designer labels Bloomingdale's stocks but goes deeper into luxury — more Saint Laurent, Bottega, and The Row on the floor.
Pros
- Far deeper luxury designer assortment
- Iconic NYC flagship experience
- Strong loyalty rewards program
Cons
- Online order and fulfillment issues have frustrated shoppers
- Pricier across the board
Visit Saks Fifth Avenue
Full guide: Stores Like Saks Fifth Avenue
3
Neiman Marcus
Est. 1907
Dallas, USA
$$$
pricier
Special-occasion and designer handbag shoppers
Designer-first department store with the aspirational gloss Bloomingdale's reaches for, especially in handbags and evening wear.
Pros
- Top-tier designer and handbag selection
- InCircle loyalty perks are genuinely valuable
- Strong personal styling service
Cons
- Among the most expensive options here
- Limited contemporary mid-tier compared to Bloomingdale's
4
Net-a-Porter
Est. 2000
London, UK
≈
similar
Online shoppers who want a curated designer edit with fast delivery
The online luxury edit that pulled the curation magic away from department store floors — same Khaite, Ganni, and Toteme, with editorial styling baked in.
Pros
- Tightly curated designer and contemporary edit
- Fast premium shipping and packaging
- Strong editorial content
Cons
- Women-focused; menswear lives on sister site Mr Porter
- Sale stock disappears quickly
5
MyTheresa
Est. 2006
Munich, Germany
$$$
pricier
Designer hunters chasing exclusives and capsules
German luxury e-tailer with one of the sharpest designer edits online, often stocking pieces and exclusives Bloomingdale's never carries.
Pros
- Excellent designer exclusives and capsule collections
- Fast worldwide shipping
- Clean, well-photographed site
Cons
- Luxury pricing throughout
- Returns can be slower for US shoppers
6
Shopbop
Est. 2000
Madison, USA
≈
similar
Contemporary shoppers who want Bloomingdale's labels delivered fast
Amazon-owned contemporary specialist that lives exactly where Bloomingdale's contemporary floor does — Veronica Beard, Agolde, Ulla Johnson — with faster shipping.
Pros
- Deep contemporary brand selection
- Fast Amazon-backed shipping and easy returns
- Frequent promotional events
Cons
- Less luxury at the top end
- Site skews young contemporary, lighter on classics
7
Bergdorf Goodman
Est. 1899
New York, USA
$$$
pricier
Top-of-market designer and couture shoppers
Neiman's NYC luxury sister store delivers the rarefied designer experience Bloomingdale's flagship gestures at but rarely matches.
Pros
- Unmatched ultra-luxury and emerging designer mix
- Iconic Fifth Avenue windows and store
- Expert personal shopping
Cons
- Highest price ceiling on this list
- Single physical location
8
SSENSE
Est. 2003
Montreal, Canada
≈
similar
Fashion-forward shoppers wanting directional designer pieces
Montreal e-tailer blending luxury houses with directional contemporary and streetwear — a sharper, younger take on the designer mix.
Pros
- Strong mix of luxury, contemporary, and emerging labels
- Great menswear and womenswear balance
- Fast international shipping
Cons
- Editorial styling skews avant-garde
- Returns window is shorter than department stores
9
Anthropologie
Est. 1992
Philadelphia, USA
$
cheaper
Shoppers who want contemporary clothing and home in one place for less
Covers the contemporary-apparel-plus-home overlap Bloomingdale's sells, at a friendlier price with a warmer, more eclectic aesthetic.
Pros
- Clothing and home goods under one roof
- Distinctive, eclectic aesthetic
- More accessible pricing than Bloomingdale's
Cons
- Quality varies across in-house lines
- Little true designer presence
Visit Anthropologie
Full guide: Stores Like Anthropologie
10
Nordstrom Rack
Est. 1973
Seattle, USA
$
cheaper
Bargain hunters chasing contemporary labels for less
Carries the same Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's-tier brands at a steep discount, replacing the old Bloomingdale's Outlet thrill.
Pros
- Real contemporary and designer brands at deep discounts
- Large store and online network
- Frequent clear-outs of current-season overstock
Cons
- Selection is hit-or-miss and unpredictable
- Return policy stricter than full-line Nordstrom
Visit Nordstrom Rack
Full guide: Stores Like Nordstrom Rack
11
Revolve
Est. 2003
Los Angeles, USA
≈
similar
Trend-driven shoppers wanting going-out and contemporary pieces
Contemporary-focused e-tailer that captures the trend-led, brand-mix energy of Bloomingdale's younger floor with influencer-driven curation.
Pros
- On-trend contemporary and occasion wear
- Fast shipping and easy returns
- Huge brand and in-house label range
Cons
- Quality inconsistent across brands
- Very trend-driven, less timeless
12
Mr Porter
Est. 2011
London, UK
≈
similar
Men shopping designer and elevated contemporary online
The men's counterpart to Net-a-Porter, filling the designer and contemporary menswear gap Bloomingdale's covers with a tighter, editorial edit.
Pros
- Best-in-class menswear edit and styling
- Strong mix of designer and refined basics
- Fast premium delivery
Cons
- Menswear only
- Luxury-leaning prices
Same Labels, Lower Prices
If it's the contemporary brands you came for — not the Lexington Avenue address — Nordstrom Rack carries genuine designer and contemporary overstock at deep cuts, Anthropologie covers the clothing-plus-home overlap for less, and Shopbop matches the contemporary floor with frequent promos. You keep the names and drop the markup.
Trading Up Into Real Designer
For shoppers who felt Bloomingdale's never quite reached the top tier, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman go deeper into Saint Laurent, Bottega, and The Row. MyTheresa and SSENSE add online exclusives and directional pieces the floor never stocked.
The Curated Online Edit
The styling-and-curation magic moved online. Net-a-Porter and Mr Porter deliver tightly edited designer selections with editorial guidance and two-day shipping, while Revolve owns the younger, trend-led contemporary corner that Bloomingdale's once dominated.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
Want the full department store experience with better service and returns? Nordstrom is the obvious swap — same contemporary-plus-designer mix, fewer headaches. Chasing the luxury ceiling Bloomingdale's never quite hit? Saks and Neiman Marcus go deeper, and Bergdorf Goodman tops out the market entirely. If you mostly shop online, Net-a-Porter and MyTheresa deliver the curated designer edit faster than any store floor, with Mr Porter handling menswear. Budget-minded but still want the labels? Nordstrom Rack and Anthropologie keep the names without the premium. And if you're after the younger, trend-led energy of Bloomingdale's contemporary floor, Shopbop, Revolve, and SSENSE each own a slice of it. Frequently Asked Questions
QIs Nordstrom better than Bloomingdale's?
For most shoppers, yes — Nordstrom carries a near-identical contemporary and designer mix but pairs it with a famously lenient return policy and stronger customer service. Bloomingdale's still has its iconic NYC flagship and deeper home assortment, but Nordstrom's overall experience tends to win on convenience and service.
QWhere can I find Bloomingdale's brands for less?
Nordstrom Rack stocks genuine contemporary and designer overstock at steep discounts, and it has replaced much of what the old Bloomingdale's Outlet offered. Shopbop and Revolve run frequent promotions on the same contemporary labels, and Anthropologie covers the clothing-and-home overlap at friendlier prices.
QWhat's the best online alternative to Bloomingdale's for designer fashion?
Net-a-Porter and MyTheresa lead for curated luxury, with fast shipping and editorial styling that department store sites rarely match. SSENSE is the pick for directional, fashion-forward pieces, while Mr Porter handles the equivalent for menswear.
QIs Bloomingdale's the same as Macy's?
Bloomingdale's is owned by Macy's but operates as its upscale sibling, with a stronger luxury and contemporary brand mix and higher price points. If you want the broader, more affordable assortment, Macy's is the parent; if you want a step up in designer mix, Nordstrom or Saks are closer matches.
QWhich store has the best contemporary brands like Bloomingdale's Aqua and Theory floor?
Shopbop is the strongest online match for that contemporary middle, carrying Veronica Beard, Agolde, Ulla Johnson, and similar labels with fast shipping. Nordstrom matches it in-store, and Revolve owns the younger, trend-led end of that same contemporary territory.
Our Verdict
The Best Bloomingdale's Alternative For You
Want the full department store experience with better service and returns? Nordstrom is the obvious swap — same contemporary-plus-designer mix, fewer headaches. Chasing the luxury ceiling Bloomingdale's never quite hit? Saks and Neiman Marcus go deeper, and Bergdorf Goodman tops out the market entirely. If you mostly shop online, Net-a-Porter and MyTheresa deliver the curated designer edit faster than any store floor, with Mr Porter handling menswear. Budget-minded but still want the labels? Nordstrom Rack and Anthropologie keep the names without the premium. And if you're after the younger, trend-led energy of Bloomingdale's contemporary floor, Shopbop, Revolve, and SSENSE each own a slice of it.