Tillys Return Policy for Online and Store Orders
Shopping for clothes, shoes, and accessories online or in-store can sometimes feel like a gamble. Whether those new jeans don't fit quite right, the sneakers aren't your style, or you simply changed your mind, you need a hassle-free way to get your money back. If you are trying to figure out your options, understanding the Tillys return policy is your first step to a smooth and easy refund.
Navigating retail returns doesn't have to be stressful. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the latest Tillys refund policy. We will break down exactly how long you have to make a return, the strict eligibility rules for footwear and swimwear, how to avoid unexpected shipping fees, and the step-by-step processes for both mailing items back and returning them in person.
Information in this guide is based on the latest available 2026 policy data to ensure you have the most accurate, up-to-date facts before you head to the store or the post office.
Tillys Return Policy Overview
When you need a quick answer, knowing the basic rules can save you time and money. Here is a high-level summary of how the process works for the 2026 calendar year.
Tillys offers a generous 60-day return window for most items, provided they are in brand-new condition. However, how you choose to return your items heavily impacts whether your return is completely free or if a fee will be deducted from your final refund.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Return Window | 60 days from the purchase date (in-store) or shipment date (online). |
| Eligible Items | Must be unworn, unwashed, with original tags attached and original packaging. |
| Return Methods | In-store drop-off (free) or mail-in via online portal ($8.00 fee). |
| Refund Methods | Original payment method, store credit, or direct exchange. |
| Non-returnable Items | Final sale items (.97/.98 prices), altered swimwear, opened cosmetics. |
| Fees | $8.00 return shipping fee for mailed returns. No restocking fees. |
Return Window & Eligibility
To ensure your return is approved without any delays, you must strictly follow Tillys' timeframes and item condition requirements.
The Standard 60-Day Timeframe
Tillys gives shoppers 60 days to return merchandise for a full refund. However, the exact day this countdown begins depends on how you bought the item:
- In-Store Purchases: The 60 days begin on the date printed on your cash register receipt.
- Online Purchases: The 60 days begin on the date your order was shipped from the warehouse (not the date it was delivered to your door). Your mailed return must be postmarked before this 60-day window expires.
Merchandise Condition Rules
Tillys is strict about the condition of returned goods. To qualify for a refund, your items must be:
- Unworn, unwashed, and entirely unused.
- Free of strong odors (like perfume, smoke, or body odor).
- Returned with all original retail price tags and tickets securely attached.
The Footwear Box Rule
If you are returning shoes, they must be placed back into their original, undamaged shoebox.
Critical Warning for Mail Returns: Do not use the shoebox as your shipping box. You must place the shoebox inside a separate, larger corrugated shipping box. If you tape a shipping label directly to the shoebox or write on it, your return will be rejected. If you frequently buy athletic shoes and want to compare policies, you might also want to review the Road Runner return policy.
How to Return Items to Tillys
Tillys offers two main ways to return your merchandise. Choosing the right method is the key to maximizing your refund and avoiding unnecessary shipping charges.
In-Store Returns (The 100% Free Method)
Returning your items to a physical retail store is the best option. It is completely free, and you get your refund processed instantly. You can bring both in-store purchases and online-exclusive orders to any local Tillys register.
Here is how to complete an in-store return:
- Gather your unworn items, ensuring all original tags are still attached.
- Locate your proof of purchase (the original paper receipt, your order confirmation email, or the packing slip).
- Bring the physical credit or debit card you used to make the original purchase.
- Visit any Tillys retail location and hand the items to a cashier at the register.
- Wait for the associate to process the transaction and hand you a refund receipt.
Online Returns by Mail (The $8 Fee Method)
If you do not live near a store, you can mail your online purchases back to the warehouse. Note that in-store purchases cannot be mailed back; they must be returned in person.
Here is how to complete an online return via mail:
- Go to your web browser and navigate to the Tillys Online Return Portal (
tillys.com/returns). - Type in your Order Number and the Billing Email Address associated with the purchase.
- Select the specific items you want to send back and choose a reason from the dropdown menu.
- Download and print the prepaid UPS or FedEx shipping label generated by the system.
- Pack your items securely in a sturdy box, ensuring shoes are inside their original shoebox within the shipping container. Include your packing slip.
- Tape the printed label securely to the outside of the box.
- Drop the package off at the designated carrier location.
- Keep your drop-off receipt to track your package until your refund is processed.
Alternative Option: If you prefer, you can use your own shipping carrier (like USPS Ground Advantage) at your own expense. Mail the package to: Tillys.com Returns 1750 Flight Way Tustin, CA 92782
Refund Methods & Processing Time
Understanding how you will be paid back is just as important as knowing how to return the item. Your refund method depends on how you originally paid and how you choose to return the merchandise.
Standard Refunds
If you return an item within the 60-day window with a valid receipt, Tillys will refund the full purchase price back to your original payment method (Visa, Mastercard, cash, etc.).
The PayPal, Klarna, & Afterpay Warning
There is a major catch if you use digital payment platforms. If you buy an item online using PayPal, Klarna, or Afterpay and try to return it to a physical Tillys store, the store registers cannot refund your digital account.
Instead, the store associate can only give you an exchange or issue store credit on a Tillys gift card. If you want the money put back into your PayPal or Klarna account, you must mail the items back to the warehouse using the online return portal.
Typical Processing Timelines
Patience is required when mailing items back. Your total processing time includes shipping transit, warehouse inspection, and bank delays.
- Warehouse Processing: Once the carrier delivers your box to the California warehouse, it takes 7 to 10 business days for the staff to inspect the items and approve the refund.
- Bank Processing: After Tillys issues the refund, it generally takes an additional 3 to 5 business days for your bank or credit card company to post the funds to your account statement.
Exchange Policy
Sometimes you love the item, but you just need a different size or color. The Tillys exchange policy allows you to swap items within the standard 60-day window, subject to store inventory.
In-Store Exchanges
This is the fastest and easiest way to swap an item. Bring your unworn item and your receipt to a local store. You can grab the correct size right off the rack and bring it to the register. The cashier will swap the items out seamlessly.
Online Exchanges
Tillys' mail-in system does not have a direct "exchange" button. If you need a different size for an online order and cannot visit a store, the official recommendation is to process a standard mail-in return for a refund. Then, immediately place a brand-new order on Tillys.com for the correct item. This ensures the item doesn't sell out while your return is traveling through the mail.
Non-returnable or Restricted Items
Not everything Tillys sells is eligible for a refund. For hygiene, safety, and inventory clearance reasons, several categories of merchandise are considered strictly non-returnable items.
You cannot return or exchange the following:
-
Final Sale Items: Any merchandise clearly marked "Final Sale" on the website or your receipt (this typically includes clearance items ending in
.97or.98). - Swimwear & Underwear: Bikinis, swim trunks, and undergarments cannot be returned if the hygienic sanitary liner has been removed, tampered with, or is missing entirely.
- Body Jewelry: Earrings, nose rings, and other body piercing jewelry.
- Beauty & Fragrance: Any cosmetics, perfumes, or beauty products that have been opened or used.
- Accessories: Sunglasses and headphones must remain unopened in their original, factory-sealed packaging.
- Hard Goods: Skateboards, surfboards, and any personalized or customized gear.
- Gift Cards: Physical Tillys gift cards and digital e-gift cards are non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Fees, Deductions & Exceptions
Nobody likes surprise charges when trying to get their money back. Here is exactly what you can expect regarding fees.
Return Shipping Deductions
If you use the convenient prepaid shipping label generated by the Tillys online portal, an $8.00 return shipping fee will be automatically deducted from your final refund total. To avoid this $8.00 fee entirely, you must take your return to a physical retail store.
Restocking Fees
You will be happy to know that Tillys does not charge a restocking fee for any items, regardless of whether you return them in-store or by mail.
Exceptions for Damaged or Wrong Items
If you receive an item that is defective, broken, or completely different from what you ordered, Tillys will waive the $8.00 shipping fee. However, you must contact customer service before mailing the item back so they can note your account and send you a free, specialized shipping label.
Holiday & Extended Return Policies
Shopping during the winter holidays can be stressful, especially when buying gifts early in the season. To help shoppers, Tillys offers a generous holiday return policy extension for the 2026–2027 season.
- Qualifying Dates: Any purchases made between November 1, 2026, and December 25, 2026, fall under the holiday extension.
- Extended Deadline: These items can be returned all the way through January 15, 2027 (or 60 days from the purchase date, whichever gives you more time).
- Rules Apply: All standard eligibility rules still apply. The items must be unworn, tags must be attached, and you still need a receipt or gift receipt.
Customer Support & Contact Information
If your package gets lost, an item arrives damaged, or you need help navigating the online portal, reaching out to customer support is your best bet.
You can contact the Tillys support team through the following channels:
- Phone Support: Call 1-866-4TILLYS (1-866-484-5597) to speak directly with an agent.
- Live Chat: Visit Tillys.com and look for the chat icon in the bottom corner of the screen for instant messaging.
- Email: Use the secure "Contact Us" form on the official website.
-
Operating Hours (PST):
- Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday – Sunday: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pro Tip: For the fastest response times, try using the live chat feature early on weekday mornings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return items to Tillys without a receipt?
Yes, but with limitations. If you lose your receipt, store associates can attempt to look up your purchase using your credit card or your Tillys Rewards account. If they cannot locate the transaction, no-receipt returns are only eligible for store credit. The amount you receive will be strictly limited to the lowest historical selling price of that item in the Tillys system. You will also be required to show a valid government ID.
Does Tillys accept returns on swimwear?
Yes, Tillys does accept returns on swimwear and bikinis, but hygiene rules are strictly enforced. The swimsuit must be unworn with all retail tags attached, and the original protective hygienic liner must be completely intact. If the liner is missing or looks tampered with, the return will be denied.
How do I return a damaged or wrong item?
If your order arrives damaged or defective, do not use the standard online returns portal, as it will charge you the $8.00 fee. Instead, call Tillys Customer Support immediately at 1-866-484-5597. They will arrange for a free replacement and provide a return label with the fees waived.
Why can't I get a cash refund for my PayPal purchase in-store?
Tillys' physical cash registers are not integrated with digital platforms like PayPal, Afterpay, or Klarna. Therefore, a store cannot push funds back to those accounts. If you return a PayPal order in-store, you will only receive an exchange or a store credit gift card. To get a true refund, you must mail the items back.
What happens to my BOGO discount if I return only one item?
If you buy items during a "Buy One, Get One" (BOGO) sale and return only one of the items, your refund is prorated. Tillys recalculates the discount so it is spread across both items. You will not get the full retail price back for the item you return, only the discounted mathematical value.
Can I return online-exclusive items to a physical Tillys store?
Yes! Even if an item says "Online Exclusive," you can still bring it to a local Tillys store for a refund. This is actually the recommended method because it saves you from paying the $8.00 return mail fee.
Does Tillys offer price adjustments if an item goes on sale?
No. Tillys does not offer price matching or retroactive price adjustments. If you buy a sweater at full price and it goes on sale the next week, you cannot request a refund for the price difference.
Can I return items that are marked final sale?
No. Any item designated as "Final Sale" (often indicated by a price ending in .97 or .98) is completely non-returnable and non-refundable under any circumstances.
How long does a mailed refund from Tillys take?
It takes patience. Once you drop your box at the carrier, it must travel to California. From there, warehouse processing takes 7 to 10 business days. After Tillys releases the funds, your bank may take an additional 3 to 5 business days to make the money available in your checking account.
Can I return a gift to Tillys with a gift receipt?
Yes. If you received a gift and have the gift receipt, you can return the item in-store. However, you will not receive a cash or credit card refund. Returns made with a gift receipt are only eligible for exchanges or store credit on a Tillys gift card.
Disclaimer: Return policies may change at any time and can vary by location. Always confirm details on the official Tillys website or with your local store. Information verified April 2026.
Found this helpful? Bookmark this page for the latest Tillys return policy updates. If you love shopping for fashion and apparel, be sure to check our other guides, like the Ross Dress for Less return policy and the Ross return policy, before your next big shopping trip!