Dillard's: Clearance Events, the Dillard's Card and House Brands Worth Buying

Dillard's is a department store chain based in Little Rock, Arkansas, with stores mostly across the South and Southwest and a full online shop. It sells women's, men's and children's clothing, shoes, handbags, beauty, fragrance and home goods from national brands and its own labels. Dillard's prices differently from most department stores, and knowing that is what makes a Dillard's order good value.

How Dillard's pricing works

Dillard's has long run fewer storewide promotions than its competitors. Instead of constant coupons, Dillard's tends to hold prices steady and then cut them hard on clearance. That means a full-price Dillard's item is rarely going to drop by a modest amount next week; it either stays put or goes to clearance.

Brand rules matter too. Many premium beauty, fragrance and designer lines at Dillard's are excluded from discounts because the brands set the price. Treat any code as unlikely to touch them.

Timing the Dillard's clearance events

Dillard's is known for large clearance events where marked-down items take an extra percentage off, typically around the turn of the year and again in summer. Stores and the website both take part, and the best sizes go first.

If you know what you want, shop the first days of a Dillard's clearance event. If you are flexible on size and colour, the deepest cuts come later as the event winds down. Check the Dillard's website for current event dates rather than relying on past patterns.

The Dillard's card

The Dillard's credit card is issued with Citi and earns reward points on Dillard's purchases, converted into reward certificates for later orders. Cardholders have also been offered perks such as extra savings events. Check the current terms, as rewards rates and perks change.

A store card only pays off if the balance is cleared every month. The interest rates on department store cards are high enough to erase any reward, so treat the card as a discount tool, never as credit.

Dillard's own brands

Dillard's exclusive labels are often the best value in the store because they are priced below comparable national brands. Antonio Melani covers women's work and occasion wear, Gianni Bini covers dresses and shoes, and Roundtree & Yorke and Cremieux cover men's shirts, trousers and casual wear. Westbound and Investments cover women's everyday basics.

These Dillard's labels also go through clearance with everything else, so a Roundtree & Yorke dress shirt bought during a clearance event is one of the cheapest well-made shirts you will find.

Sizing, delivery and returns

Each brand at Dillard's uses its own size chart, so check the one on the product page, especially for shoes and designer clothing that run small. Reviews often note whether an item runs true.

Dillard's offers delivery and, for many items, in-store pickup, which avoids a shipping charge. Returns can generally be made by mail or at a Dillard's store; check the current window and note that some categories, such as opened beauty products, may have conditions.

Registry and gifting

Dillard's runs a wedding and gift registry with tableware, cookware and bedding from its home department. Items from a registry follow the same pricing rules, so guests buying during a clearance event pay less for the same place settings.

For gifts in general, Dillard's gift cards can be used both in stores and online, which makes them a safe choice when you are unsure of size. Ask for a gift receipt at checkout on anything clothing-related, so the recipient can exchange it at a Dillard's store without revealing the price.

Where the Dillard's savings are

Because Dillard's issues few general promo codes, test each of these at checkout on your actual basket before counting on it. Where one applies, start with the 30% code, then try the 25% and 20% codes if it is refused.

Expect exclusions. Designer, beauty and fragrance lines are the most likely to be blocked, and clearance items may already be at their lowest price. On a mixed basket, a code may apply to some lines and not others.

If none of the codes takes, the reliable Dillard's saving is timing: wait for a clearance event, or use reward certificates from the Dillard's card if you already hold one.

Only one code applies per order, so there is no stacking to plan.

Percentage codes matter most on larger Dillard's baskets. Twenty percent off a single pair of socks is trivial; twenty percent off a suit, a coat or a set of Dillard's bedding is worth the minute it takes to test the code.

Common questions

When are Dillard's sales?

Dillard's is best known for its clearance events, typically around New Year and in summer, when marked-down items take an extra cut.

Does Dillard's accept coupon codes?

Occasionally, and with many brand exclusions. Test any code on your basket before relying on it.

Is the Dillard's card worth it?

Only if you shop Dillard's regularly and pay the balance in full every month.

Can I return a Dillard's online order in store?

Generally yes. Check the current Dillard's return policy for the window and any category conditions.