EXPR Express Inc

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

Check the appropriate box:

Express, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Your Vote Counts! EXPRESS, INC. 2023 Annual Meeting Vote by June 6, 2023 11:59 PM ET EXPRESS, INC. 1 EXPRESS DRIVE COLUMBUS, OH 43230 V09779-P91614 You invested in EXPRESS, INC. and it’s time to vote! You have the right to vote on proposals being presented at the Annual Meeting. This is an important notice regarding the availability of proxy material for the shareholder meeting to be held on June 7, 2023. Get informed before you vote View the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and 2022 Annual Report online OR you can receive a free paper or email copy of the material(s) by requesting prior to May 24, 2023. If you would like to request a copy of the material(s) for this and/or future shareholder meetings, you may (1) visit www.ProxyVote.com, (2) call 1-800-579-1639 or (3) send an email to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. If sending an email, please include your control number (indicated below) in the subject line. Unless requested, you will not otherwise receive a paper or email copy. For complete information and to vote, visit www.ProxyVote.com Control # Smartphone users Vote Virtually at the Meeting* Point your camera here and vote without entering a control number June 7, 2023 8:30 AM EDT Virtually at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/EXPR2023 *Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. V1.1

Vote at www.ProxyVote.com THIS IS NOT A VOTABLE BALLOT This is an overview of the proposals being presented at the upcoming shareholder meeting. Please follow the instructions on the reverse side to vote these important matters. Voting Items Board Recommends 1. Election of Class I Directors. Nominees: 1a. Michael Archbold For 1b. Timothy Baxter For 1c. Satish Mehta For 1d. Peter Swinburn For 2. Advisory vote to approve executive compensation (Say-on-Pay). For 3. Approval of an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a reverse stock split and a corresponding proportional reduction in the number of authorized shares of our For common stock. 4. Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public For accounting firm for 2023. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof as will be voted on by the proxies in their discretion. Prefer to receive an email instead? While voting on www.ProxyVote.com, be sure to click “Delivery Settings”. V09780-P91614