Bloomingdale's vs. Saks: Which brand is better? [2026]

Bloomingdale's offers a broad mix of designer and contemporary brands, creating a more accessible luxury experience, while Saks Fifth Avenue is focused on the highest end of the market, curating ultra-luxury and exclusive high-fashion labels. The primary distinction comes down to brand selection and shopping atmosphere, with Bloomingdale's feeling modern and trend-driven and Saks offering a more classic, high-touch luxury environment.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right department store for your shopping style and needs.

Bloomingdale's: The Accessible Luxury Hub

Bloomingdale's stands as an iconic American department store that expertly blends high-end designer labels with popular contemporary brands. It caters to sophisticated and fashion-forward shoppers who want variety and are keen on current trends. The store has carved a niche for itself by being both aspirational and approachable, making it a favorite for those building a versatile luxury wardrobe.

• Product mix: Features a wide assortment of categories including apparel, accessories, beauty, and home goods. You’ll find established luxury names alongside sought-after contemporary designers like Maje and rag & bone, offering a more diverse catalog.
• Price point: While firmly a luxury retailer, Bloomingdale's offers a more flexible price range. Designer handbags might range from $1,500 to $8,000, and it excels in offering high-quality "entry-level" luxury items that provide tangible value.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall feel is modern, energetic, and trend-aware. It captures an eclectic mix that can range from elevated streetwear to chic evening attire, appealing to a broad spectrum of personal styles.
• Sales: Known for its frequent promotions, including the famous Friends & Family events and seasonal sales that are accessible to the general public, making it a great place to score a deal on designer goods.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to offer a more inclusive range of sizes across its brands, including well-stocked petite, plus-size, and maternity sections.

Bloomingdale's is the perfect destination for shoppers who desire a mix of established and trending brands with regular opportunities for savings.

Shop Bloomingdale's: bloomingdales.com

Saks Fifth Avenue: The Epitome of High Fashion

Saks Fifth Avenue is synonymous with top-tier, global luxury. For nearly a century, it has been the definitive destination for discerning shoppers seeking the most exclusive and coveted designer collections. Its reputation is built on an unwavering commitment to sophistication, high-fashion, and presenting an edited selection of the world's most prestigious brands.

• Product mix: Highly concentrated on elite designer names in apparel, shoes, handbags, fine jewelry, and beauty. You'll find iconic houses like Gucci, Prada, and Chanel prominently featured, with a strong emphasis on their latest runway collections.
• Price point: Positioned at the upper end of the luxury market. Designer handbags often start around $2,000 and can easily surpass the $10,000 mark. The focus is on investment pieces from the world's most exclusive labels.
• Style & Aesthetic: The atmosphere is one of timeless elegance and refined sophistication. Saks curates merchandise that is classic, polished, and directly influenced by current high-fashion trends.
• Sales: Sales events are typically less frequent and more exclusive, often with early access and private sales reserved for top clients and loyalty program members.
• Sizing/Fit: Carries standard designer sizing which can sometimes run smaller. While sizing guides are comprehensive, the availability of extended sizes can be more limited compared to Bloomingdale's.

Saks is the ultimate retailer for those seeking unparalleled luxury, exclusive items, and a truly high-end shopping experience.

Shop Saks Fifth Avenue: saks.com

Bloomingdale's vs. Saks Fifth Avenue Comparison

Price Comparison

While both are luxury department stores, their pricing strategies are tailored to slightly different consumers. Saks consistently occupies a higher price bracket due to its focus on premier luxury brands. A designer dress at Saks will often retail for more than a comparable item at Bloomingdale's, which stocks a greater number of contemporary brands with lower entry price points. For instance, you are more likely to find a premium dress for under $500 at Bloomingdale's, whereas Saks' selection starts considerably higher.

When it comes to sales, Bloomingdale’s is more aggressive with its promotions. It hosts sitewide events like "Friends & Family" several times a year, offering significant discounts (often 25% off) to a broad audience. Saks's approach is more discreet, favoring targeted promotions, loyalty-based offers, and exclusive seasonal sales for its clientele.

Quality & Craftsmanship

Quality at both retailers is excellent, as they feature products from the world's leading designers. However, the focus differs. Saks places a strong emphasis on brands known for exceptional, old-world craftsmanship, premium materials, and handmade details - think Fendi or Saint Laurent. Every item feels curated for its superior construction and storied brand heritage.

Bloomingdale's also offers many of these same quality brands, but its inventory likewise includes contemporary labels that, while still high-quality, may use more modern manufacturing processes to achieve a more accessible price point. The consistency of ultra-high-end quality is more uniform at Saks.

Product Selection & Style

This is where the two stores diverge most clearly. Saks embodies a timeless, elegant, and sophisticated aesthetic. It’s where you go for a classic investment handbag, a perfectly tailored coat, or a showstopping gown straight from a Parisian runway. The selection is highly curated and leans toward a more mature, refined fashion sensibility.

Bloomingdale's has a younger, more energetic, and trend-focused identity. While it carries plenty of classic pieces, it’s also the place to discover the latest "it" bag from a contemporary designer or experiment with emerging street-style trends. Its selection is broader and more eclectic, catering to a wider array of personal styles and occasions, from weekend casual to red carpet-ready.

Fit & Sizing

Because both stores carry a multitude of brands, sizing will naturally vary. Customers should always consult the size charts for individual designers. That said, as a general rule, Bloomingdale’s provides more options for a wider range of body types. Its commitment to offering extensive petite, plus, and maternity collections makes it a more inclusive destination.

Saks primarily offers standard designer sizing. While options for different body types are available, they are typically less extensive than at Bloomingdale's, as the selection is more aligned with the narrower sizing standards of European luxury houses.

Shopping Experience

Saks delivers a traditional, high-touch luxury experience. Its stores are known for being elegant and serene, with a strong focus on personalized customer service, including dedicated personal stylists, private shopping suites, and exclusive in-store events. Its online experience mirrors this with virtual styling and a seamless, user-friendly interface.

Bloomingdale's fosters a more dynamic and modern retail environment. While personal styling services are readily available, the in-store atmosphere is often livelier and busier. They lead the way in omnichannel retail, with a robust "buy online, pick up in-store" program and experiential pop-ups that create an engaging shopping trip.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both retailers are making moves toward a more sustainable future. Both have initiatives to highlight and support brands that prioritize eco-friendly materials, transparent sourcing, and ethical manufacturing. Saks' parent company, Hudson's Bay Company, has outlined corporate sustainability targets, and its shoppers can often find specific "sustainable style" edits online.

Similarly, Bloomingdale’s participates in sustainability initiatives and has a "sustainable shop" feature on its website. Because its product mix includes a wider range of contemporary brands, shoppers at Bloomingdale’s might find more accessible, sustainable options compared to the ultra-luxury items at Saks, where heritage often trumps transparent eco-practices.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal priorities and what you value most in a shopping experience. Both stores are exceptional, but they serve two distinct visions of luxury.

Choose Bloomingdale's if:

• You enjoy mixing high-end designer pieces with contemporary, trend-driven brands.
• You appreciate a good sale and prefer stores with frequent and accessible promotions.
• You want a broader variety of sizes, including strong petite and plus-size assortments.
• You're looking for an energetic, one-stop shop for everything from a cocktail dress to new home decor.

Choose Saks Fifth Avenue if:

• You prioritize exclusivity and want access to a highly curated selection of premier luxury brands.
• You are investing in timeless, high-craftsmanship pieces and want the latest runway collections.
• You value a personalized, high-touch shopping service, including personal stylists.
• Your budget is at the higher end of the luxury market and sales are not a major deciding factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bloomingdale's or Saks Fifth Avenue more expensive?

Saks Fifth Avenue is generally more expensive. It concentrates on the highest tier of luxury designers, leading to a higher average price point across almost all categories compared to Bloomingdale's, which offers a broader mix of contemporary and more accessibly priced luxury brands.

Which store is considered more "luxury"?

Saks Fifth Avenue is widely considered the more traditional and exclusive luxury store. Its entire brand identity is built around serving a top-tier clientele with a carefully edited selection of the world's most prestigious fashion houses.

Are Bloomingdale's and Saks owned by the same company?

No, they are competitors owned by different parent companies. Bloomingdale's is owned by Macy's, Inc. Saks Fifth Avenue's store operations are part of HBC (Hudson's Bay Company), a different retail group.

Which store has better sales?

Bloomingdale's has more frequent and widely accessible sales, including its well-known Friends & Family events which often provide 20-25% off a large portion of the store. Saks' sales are typically less frequent and often start as private events for loyalty members.

What is the main difference in the brands they carry?

Saks focuses on pinnacle luxury brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Prada, especially their runway collections. Bloomingdale's carries many luxury brands too, but complements them with a much larger assortment of accessible luxury and contemporary labels like AQUA, Vince, and Theory.

Do both stores offer personal styling services?

Yes, both stores offer excellent personal styling and personal shopping services. Saks is particularly known for its high level of personalized service designed to cater to a very affluent clientele.

Which store has a better selection of plus-size clothing?

Bloomingdale's generally has a much more comprehensive and well-curated selection of plus-size fashion from both contemporary and designer brands.

Which is better for a first-time luxury shopper?

Bloomingdale's is often a better starting point for a first-time luxury shopper. Its broader range of prices and brands, including entry-level luxury and on-trend items, provides a friendlier introduction to high-end shopping and a less intimidating atmosphere.