Can You Return Clothes Without Tags? Policies at Kohl’s, Macy’s, etc

Looking to return something but you’ve already cut the tags? So can you return clothes without tags? Several retailers, such as Gap, J.Crew, Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Nordstrom, will accept clothing returns without tags; others, including H&M and Zara, will not. Policies vary by retailer, and some stores make it easier than others to return items without tags. Below, we have the list of the most popular U.S. stores that do and do not accept returns without tags, including all of the details of their policies.

Stores That Let You Return Clothes Without Tags

Many stores will allow you to return clothing without the tags, but it may be more of a hassle than if the price tags were still in place. In general, stores with a big emphasis on customer satisfaction have the most relaxed return policies. Specialty stores and “fast fashion” are less likely to allow tagless returns.

Some major stores get burned by shoplifters or by “wardrobbers” — people who buy clothes they can’t afford and plan to return after a single wear. To cut down on fraud, these stores won’t accept returns without tags at all. Others state upfront that they may decline any return that seems suspicious.

To get the best chance of a full refund, bring the tags if you have them, and bring your receipt or shipping invoice for mail orders. Many stores require ID, so it’s a good idea to have that on hand too. Try to be patient if the return process takes a while; getting upset or being rude might make the salesperson or manager refuse your return altogether.

According to the customer service representatives we spoke with, these major clothing stores will accept returns of clothes without price tags.

Amazon

• Time to return: 30 days from receipt of delivery for a full refund on items shipped from Amazon.com; third-party vendor policies may vary.  During the holidays, items shipped by Amazon between November 1 and December 31 can be returned until January 31.
• Receipt requirements: Must have an order number; if you don’t have an order number, you’ll need to contact customer service.
• Limits and exceptions:
  • Orders must be returned by mail; shipping costs may apply.
  • Shipping is non-refundable unless the item was defective or Amazon made a mistake with your order.
• Return method: After you follow the prompts on the Amazon Returns Center, you will likely be given an option for a refund, credit, or replacement. You can also contact customer service for special circumstances. The return will be processed after it is received by Amazon.

American Eagle (also Aerie, AEO Factory, or Tailgate)

• Time to return: No time limit on returns.
• Receipt requirements: Must have your receipt or order slip.
• Limits and exceptions:
  • You can’t exchange any item bought with cash, gift cards, or PayPal.
  • Items you bought online can be returned in-store, but not the other way around.
  • Shipping costs are non-refundable.
  • If you’re in the U.S. or Canada, you must return the item in the same country you bought it.
  • Orders shipped to other countries can only be returned by mail.
  • The retailer may decline or delay any return or exchange if its system flags a pattern of abuse.
• Return method: If you bought your clothes online or in an American Eagle, Aerie, AEO Factory, or Tailgate store, you can return them to any of those stores. Bring your receipt and the credit or debit card you bought them with. You can also ship back items you bought online. You can print a return label or see the address and shipping instructions on the American Eagle website.

Note: See more in our dedicated article about American Eagle’s return policy.

Belk

• Time to return: 180 days to return most clothes for a full refund. After 180 days, you’ll get a partial refund.
• Receipt requirements: Must have your receipt.
• Limits and exceptions: 
  • You can return items you bought online to a local store, but not vice versa.
  • Shipping is non-refundable unless the item was defective or Belk made a mistake with your order.
• Return method: If you return your clothes within 180 days with the receipt or packing invoice, you’ll get a full refund in your original form of payment. Without a receipt or after 180 days, you’ll get the lowest sale price in the last 30 days refunded to a Belk Gift Card or your Belk Charge Card. If you need to return items bought in a store but you don’t have a Belk close by, email customer service or call (866) 235-5443 to process your return. To return online items by mail, see the shipping address.

Gap (Also Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta)

• Time to return: You can return most clothes to Gap stores within 45 days. Items from Athleta or items with a manufacturing defect can be returned anytime. Anything you bought between November 1 and December 24 can be returned by January 15 or 45 days, whichever is later.
• Receipt requirements: Must have proof of purchase to get a full refund. That can be an original receipt, a gift receipt, or the card it was bought with. To return a gift without a receipt, you’ll have to show ID. You’ll get a refund for the current selling price.
• Limits and exceptions:
  • At Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic, you can’t return swimsuits if the tags were removed.
  • At Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic, your clothes must be in new condition, unwashed and unworn. Athleta clothes have a performance guarantee, so it’s okay to test them out before you decide to return them.
  • You can’t return items marked “Final Sale.”
  • Unless your shipping invoice says “Mail Only,” you can return items bought online to the same brand store (Gap to Gap, Old Navy to Old Navy, and so forth). You can’t return store items by mail.
  • You must return items in the same country you bought them.
• Return method: If you have a receipt, shipping invoice, or the original card you bought the items with, you’ll get a refund in the original form of payment. Without a receipt, you’ll get store credit. You can return an online order by UPS or U.S. mail using Gap’s online return process.

Note: You can return most clothes to Gap Inc.-owned stores with or without the price tags. There are some specific rules and exceptions based on the type of clothes and which store it’s from.

JCPenney

• Time to return: No specific time limit on returning clothes.
• Receipt requirements: Can make a return even if you don’t have a receipt.
• Limits and exceptions:
  • You can’t return items that were altered, monogrammed, or personalized.
  • Special-occasion clothes have a green “Return” tag. You can only return those items with the green tag still attached.
  • Shipping is non-refundable.
  • You can’t return international orders in a store.
  • Items that are only sold online may have other rules printed on your shipping invoice.
• Return method:
  • If you have your receipt, you can get an exchange or a refund in your original form of payment.
  • If you have a gift receipt, you can get an exchange or a refund on a gift card.
  • If you don’t have a receipt, you’ll need to show ID. You’ll get a refund on a gift card for the lowest selling price in the last 45 days.
  • You can return items by mail to your nearest return center with your shipping invoice. If you don’t have your invoice, include your name, address, phone number, and the date you purchased the item. See your nearest return center (Scroll down to the bottom of the page at the link.).
  • You’ll need to contact customer service to process an international return.

J.Crew

• Time to return: 30 days for clothes you purchased in-store; 60 days for clothes purchased online.
• Receipt requirements: 
  • You must have a gift receipt to return a gift.
  • If you paid by check or cash, you must have your original receipt and show ID to return or exchange an item.
• Limits and exceptions:
  • Your clothes must be unworn, unwashed, and undamaged.
  • You can return purchases from one country in North America to a store in another, but only inside North America. In the rest of the world, you must return items in the same country you bought them.
  • You can’t return anything monogrammed, personalized, or marked “Final Sale.”
• Return method: If you paid by credit card, debit, gift card or cash, you’ll get your refund in the original form of payment. If you paid by check, you can get your refund in cash when you return your items to a store. Orders shipped to the U.S. can be returned by UPS or U.S. mail. You can print a prepaid return label or see the shipping address on the J.Crew website. To ship back an international order, you’ll need to contact customer service to authorize a return.

Wondering whether you can return J.Crew items to J.Crew factory and vice versa? See our dedicated article on the J.Crew/J.Crew Factory return policy.

Kohl’s

• Time to return: You can return clothes at any time, with or without the tags.
• Receipt requirements: None. Even without a receipt, you can still get a refund.
• Limits and exceptions: Kohl’s has a Hassle-Free Return Policy, so there are only a few exceptions.
  • Your clothes must be in new condition, not worn or used.
  • If you bought the items online, you can return them to a store, but you can’t return store items by mail.
• Return method: The refund method depends on whether you have a receipt and what kind:
  • If you have your original receipt, you can exchange the item or get a refund in your original form of payment.
  • If you have a gift receipt, you can get an exchange or a store credit.
  • If you don’t have a receipt, but you paid with a card, the store may be able to look it up for you.
  • Without a receipt, you can get an even exchange or a store credit for the lowest price the item had in the last 13 weeks.

Macy’s

• Time to return: You have 180 days to return most clothing. Some departments have different time limits.
  • If you’re enrolled in eReceipts, you can return most merchandise for up to one year.
  • Some designer brands can only be returned within 14 days.
  • Finish Line sneakers have 45 days to return.
  • Furs must be returned within 30 days.
  • Men’s sports apparel from the Locker Room section can be returned within 30 days, but there are no returns on Locker Room clearance.
• Receipt requirements: You may receive a refund even if you don’t have a receipt.
• Limits and exceptions: All items must be in new, unworn condition. There are also limits for different departments and types of clothes.
  • The discount shop Backstage doesn’t accept tagless returns.
  • You can’t return clothes from the Bridal Shop by Demetrios.
  • You can’t return designer items by Alexandre London.
  • Designer items by Burberry, Gucci, Longchamp, Louis Vuitton, and Tous can’t be returned without tags.
  • Dresses from the Juniors and Social departments can’t be returned without tags.
  • You can’t return furs without tags.
  • Last Act clearance items can’t be returned without tags.
  • Custom orders and personalized, monogrammed, or altered items can’t be returned.
  • Shipping is non-refundable.
• Return method:
  • You must have a receipt or shipping invoice to receive a full refund. If you are enrolled in eReceipts, you can print a copy of your receipt or the store can look it up for you. You can only sign up for eReceipts in a store.
  • Without a receipt or shipping invoice, you may need to show ID. Your refund will be in the form of store credit and for the lowest selling price in the last 180 days.
  • In the US, you can return store or online items to your local store.
  • In Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, you can schedule a driver to pick up your return for some items. Log in to your online profile to schedule a Return Pickup.
  • You can return items you bought on the website by mail. Use the online Easy Return process to get started.
  • To return international orders, you’ll need to contact customer service.

Nordstrom

• Time to return: Nordstrom accepts or declines returns on a case by case basis, and there’s no specific time limit.
• Receipt requirements: You may receive a refund even if you don’t have a receipt.
• Limits and exceptions:
  • Some designer and special-occasion clothes have a “Do Not Remove” hang tag. You can only return those items with the tag attached.
  • Shipping charges are non-refundable.
  • If you’re making an international return, you may have to pay duties, tariffs, or taxes.
• Return method: All purchases can be returned to a store or by mail.
  • If you have your receipt, you can get a refund to your original form of payment or as a gift card.
  • If you have a gift receipt, your refund will go on a gift card.
  • If you don’t have a receipt, you’ll need to show ID. Your refund will go on a gift card.
  • You need to contact Customer Service to process an international return.

Note: See our related research for Nordstrom’s shoe return policy (and Nordstrom Rack’s).

Saks Fifth Avenue

• Time to return: You can return clothes within 30 days at full price. After 30 days you’ll get a refund for the item’s current selling price.
• Receipt requirements: Must have a receipt, gift receipt, or shipping invoice.
• Limits and exceptions: There are some restrictions on which clothes you can return, and how.
  • The items must be in new condition.
  • Furs can’t be returned after 30 days.
  • You can’t return personalized or monogrammed items.
  • Saks doesn’t refund shipping costs.
• Return method: Items you bought in a store or online can be returned to any Saks Fifth Avenue store. You’ll get your refund in your original form of payment. Online orders must be returned by mail using the preprinted label on your shipping invoice.

Sears

• Time to return: You can return most clothes within 30 days with a receipt. If you bought your clothes between November 1 and December 24, the holiday return policy gives you until January 31 to return some items. You can return Land’s End clothes at any time, as long as you bought them from the catalog or in a store.
• Receipt requirement: You can return Land’s End clothes without a receipt, but you must have an original receipt or a gift receipt for all other returns.
• Limits and exceptions: Sears has some strict limits on returns.
  • You can’t return special-occasion clothes if the tags have been removed.
  • If you bought holiday-themed items before December 24, you can’t return them after Christmas. You can’t return holiday items bought at the after-Christmas sale.
  • You can’t return items that have been altered, abused, or visibly worn.
  • You can’t return special orders or customized items.
  • Sears reserves the right to decline any return or limit the amount refunded.
• Return method: If you have an original receipt, you can exchange the item or receive your refund in the original form of payment. If you have a gift receipt, you can get an exchange or a store credit. You may need to show ID to process your return or exchange.

Target

• Time to return: 90 days for most clothes; 120 days for clothes purchased with a Target RedCard; and one year for Target Owned Brand clothing.
• Receipt requirements: As long as you have a valid receipt you’ll receive a full refund. If you don’t have your original receipt, the store may be able to look it up for you
• Limits and exceptions:
  • Your clothes must be in new condition. If the item is damaged or does not have a receipt, your return might be denied.
  • You can’t return items bought in one country to a store in another country.
  • Clothes from a holiday-themed or limited-edition collection may have a modified return policy.
  • Your receipt will show any changes to the return policy for your item.
• Return method: In most cases, you’ll receive a refund in your original form of payment. Some payment types have different refund options:
  • If you paid cash, you can choose a refund as cash, a credit to your RedCard, or a Target GiftCard.
  • If you paid by check, you’ll get store credit for returns before the check clears. You can get your refund in cash if it’s been more than 10 days.
  • If you paid by a third-party debit card, your refund will be credited back to your card.
  • If you paid by a third-party gift card, you can get your refund put back on the card, as cash, or as a Target GiftCard.
  • If you paid for an online purchase by PayPal, you’ll get cash for refunds in the store or an eGiftCard for returns by mail.
  • If you paid by RedCard, a Target debit or credit card, or a third party credit card, you can either get your refund put back on your card or as a Target GiftCard.
  • If you paid by store credit, you’ll get store credit back.
  • If you don’t have your receipt and the store can’t look it up, you’ll receive a store credit for your return.

T.J.Maxx

• Time to return: You can return most clothes within 30 days for a full refund, with or without the tags. If you bought the item between October 15 and December 24, the holiday return policy gives you until January 23 to return it. After 30 days, or if you don’t have your receipt, you can still get store credit in most cases.
• Receipt requirements: You may receive a refund even if you don’t have a receipt.
• Limits and Exceptions:
  • You can’t return swimsuits or underwear without the tags attached.
  • Your clothes must be in new condition, not used or worn.
  • T.J.Maxx tracks return activity and its verification system may deny your return if it fits a pattern of possible fraud.
  • You may need to sign for the return, even if you have a receipt.
• Return method:
  • If you have your original receipt and return within 30 days, you can receive cash or a credit to your card.
  • If you have a gift receipt, you’ll get store credit.
  • If you don’t have your receipt, bring a government-issued photo ID. You will need to sign for your return and give your address. You can get a store credit.

Victoria’s Secret

• Time to return: There’s no time limit on returns. However, if you want a refund in your original form of payment, you must return your items within 90 days, with a receipt.
• Receipt requirements: You may receive a refund even if you don’t have a receipt.
• Limits and Exceptions: You can return clothes without the price tags, but the original garment label sewn into the clothes must still be attached. There are a few other rules about where and how you can make returns.
  • Items you bought in a U.S. store or by mail can be returned to any store in the U.S., but store purchases can’t be returned by mail.
  • International purchases must be returned in the country where you bought them.
  • If you don’t have a receipt, you must show ID. You’ll get an exchange or refund of the lowest price the item has ever sold for, including coupons or promotions.
  • You can return up to $250 in merchandise in a 90-day period.
• Return method: 
  • With an original receipt or shipping invoice, you’ll get a refund in your original form of payment if you return within 90 days. After 90 days, you’ll get a store credit.
  • With a gift receipt, you’ll get store credit for the full amount of purchase.
  • With no receipt, you’ll get store credit for the lowest selling price.
  • To return U.S. orders by mail, use the return label attached to your shipping invoice. You can print a replacement label or find the mailing address on the website.
  • If you’re outside the U.S., the process to return an order by mail depends on your country. See specific guidelines.

Note: Victoria’s Secret guarantees you’ll be happy with its clothes. If not, you can return them with or without a receipt and with or without price tags, at any time. See our article on the Victoria’s Secret warranty for all the details on its customer satisfaction policy.

Walmart

• Time to return: You have 90 days to return clothes, with or without tags.
• Receipt requirements: You may receive a refund even if you don’t have a receipt.
• Limits and Exceptions:
  • You need a receipt for a full refund. You may be able to get a copy your receipt at the service desk if you paid by credit or debit card and you know the date of the transaction.
  • If you don’t have a receipt, you’ll need to show ID. The verification system may or may not accept the return.
  • Items bought from Walmart.com can be returned to your local store but not the other way around.
  • Items purchased from a Marketplace seller through the Walmart.com site can’t be returned to Walmart. You’ll have to deal directly with the seller.
  • All returns are subject to local laws and the decision of the local store manager.
• Return method: If you have a receipt, you can get a refund in the original form of payment. Without a receipt, you will get store credit if the refund is over $25. You can get cash if it’s under $25.

Stores That Don’t Let You Return Clothes Without Tags

These stores won’t accept returns on clothes if the price tags have been removed.

• American Apparel
• Dillard’s
• Forever 21
• H&M
• Lord & Taylor
• lululemon athletica
• Neiman Marcus
• Topshop
• Uniqlo
• Zara (read more in our dedicated article about Zara’s return policy)

Suggested Article: Can You Return an Item to a Different Store? Store Return Rules Listed

In Summary

Can you return clothes without tags? In many places yes, but some no. So it’s a very valid question. If you’ve already removed the price tags from your new clothes, you may still be able to return them. We’ve researched the return policies of some of the most popular clothing stores to save you time and hassle, including American Eagle, Forever 21, Gap, H&M, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, lululemon, Saks Fifth Avenue, Topshop, Uniqlo, Zara, and many more. Check out your store’s policy, and remember to bring any documentation that might make it easier — proof of purchase, a gift receipt, the card you paid with, and your ID. Above all, bring your patience. When the local store manager has final say over your return, your attitude can make all the difference.

Tired of returning intimates that don’t quite work out? These Are the Stores That Let You Try on Bras Before Buying