Layaway is a good financing option if you want to purchase something that you don’t need right away, and you either can’t or don’t want to pay the full amount upfront. When you use layaway, you make an initial deposit, then the item you want is reserved for you while you pay the remaining balance in installments. Once the item is paid off, it is all yours. Layaway usually involves no or few fees, and there is typically no credit check needed.
Layaway is a popular opportunity for buying seasonal clothes. For example, in the summer, you might proactively think about buying a winter coat that you’ll need in the coming months. Instead of paying the full price when the winter season starts, you may want to purchase a jacket on layaway and pay it off in small installments just in time for winter.
There are many clothing stores with layaway plans. While many stores will only let you use layaway for in-store purchases, there are some that offer it for online purchases as well. Below, we list the national clothing retailers with layaway programs.
What We Recommend
For the widest layaway clothing selection that you can buy in stores or online, consider shopping at Sears. There is no deposit required for in-store purchases and only $0.01 for online layaway purchases, and the payment schedule is flexible.
For discounted clothing options, consider T.J. Maxx or Marshalls. You can only take advantage of the layaway programs in person at these stores, but layaway is offered year-round and it comes with low fees and the stores have locations across the country.
The List
The following clothing stores allow customers to put clothes on layaway — some only have in-store only options, while others also offer layaway online. We’ve ordered the list starting with the best overall options.
Sears
- In-store and online? Both. When shopping online, eligible items will be marked as “Available for Layaway.”
- Available year-round? Yes
- Down payment: No deposit required for in-store purchase and $0.01 for online purchases, plus a $5 or $10 service fee depending on the duration of your layaway
- Number of payments: No specified number, but payments must be paid every two weeks, and the balance must be paid in full 8 or 12 weeks for in-store merchandise and 8 weeks for purchases made online
- Cancellation terms: $15 or $25 cancellation fee based on the duration of your layaway
- Find a Sears or shop online
T.J. Maxx
- In-store and online? In-store only, at select locations
- Available year-round? Yes
- Down payment: 10% or $10, whichever is greater, plus a $5 service fee
- Number of payments: No specified number, but the balance must be cleared within 30 days
- Cancellation terms: $5 cancellation fee
- Find a T.J. Maxx or shop online
Marshalls
- In-store and online? In-store only, at select locations
- Available year-round? Yes
- Down payment: 10% or $10, whichever is greater, plus a $5 service fee
- Number of payments: No specified number, but the balance must be cleared within 30 days
- Cancellation terms: $5 cancellation fee
- Find a Marshalls or shop online
Burlington (Formerly Burlington Coat Factory)
- In-store and online? In-store only
- Available year-round? Yes, but certain layaway promotions may vary by season
- Down payment: 20% plus a $5 setup fee
- Number of payments: No specified number but merchandise balance must be paid in full within 60 days
- Cancellation terms: $10 fee cancellation fee; refunded amounts will be put onto a gift card
- Find a Burlington or shop online
Buckle
- In-store and online? In-store only
- Available year-round? Yes
- Down payment: 20%
- Number of payments: 60 day payment period of suggested bi-weekly payments
- Cancellation terms: No cancellation fees
- Find a Buckle or shop online
Rainbow
- In-store and online? In-store only
- Available year-round? Yes
- Down payment: 20% or $10, whichever is greater, plus a $5 service fee
- Number of payments: Payments must be paid weekly, and the balance must be cleared within 30 days
- Cancellation terms: $10 cancellation fee
- Find a Rainbow or shop online
Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
- In-store or online? In-store only
- Available year-round? Yes
- Down payment: 15% plus a $3 service fee
- Number of payments: No specified number but you have a 30 day layaway period
- Cancellation terms: $5 cancellation fee
- Find an AAFES
Foot Locker
- In-store and online? In-store only
- Available year-round? Yes
- Down payment: 20% plus a $5 service fee
- Number of payments: No specified number but the balance must be cleared within 30 days
- Cancellation terms: No cancellation fee
- Find a Foot Locker or shop online
Want to use layaway to shop for something other than clothes? Check out our article listing 40 places that do layaway (both online and in-store.
Clothing Stores That Don’t Have Layaway but Offer Financing
The following clothing stores don’t offer layaway but do offer store credit cards that you can use to buy an item now and pay off over time. The downside to store credit cards is that if you don’t pay off the item right away, you’ll have to pay interest and possible late payment fees.
American Eagle
- Alternative financing option: AEO Connected Credit Card
- See more about American Eagle payment methods
buybuy BABY
- Our article has more information about buybuy BABY’s layaway and finance policies
Dillards
- Alternative financing option: Dillards Rewards Card
- See more about Dillards payment methods
Gap
- Alternative financing option: Gap Card
- See more about Gap payment methods
JCPenney
- Alternative financing option: JCPenney Credit Card
- See more about JCPenney payment methods
Kohl’s
- Alternative financing option: Kohl’s Credit Card
- See more about Kohl’s payment methods
Macy’s
- Alternative financing option: Macy’s Credit Card
- See more about Macy’s payment methods
Neiman Marcus
- Alternative financing option: Neiman Marcus Credit Card
- See more about Neiman Marcus payment methods
Nordstrom
- Alternative financing option: Nordstrom Rewards Card
- See more about Nordstrom payment methods
Old Navy
- Alternative financing option: Old Navy Credit Card
- See more about Old Navy payment methods
Target
- Alternative financing option: Target REDCard Credit Card
- See more about Target payment methods
Walmart
- Alternative financing option: Affirm
- See more about financing with Affirm at Walmart
Clothing Stores That Don’t Have Layaway or Financing
In the course of our research, we found that the following stores do not offer layaway or other financing options:
- Coach
- Levi Strauss and Co.
- Michael Kors
- Nike
- Ralph Lauren
- Ross
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Under Armour