Are you ready to start stocking your closet with some fall-weather clothes, but not sure where to begin? Outlet stores are a good place to start, as long as you go in knowing what to expect. They can be great for some deals, but if you aren’t careful they can also be a great place to experience some major buyer’ss remorse.
Outlet shopping may not be the way to go if you want to score on the latest season’s clothing at deep discounts, but if you aren’t concerned with having the ?it? bag of Fall/Winter 2009, then who cares.Classical items like a v-necked sweater, a long soft scarf or even a suit can be timeless. So if you see something along those lines that you like and it fits well, then go for it!
A common misconception is that outlet stores are the place to go to for a solid bargain. But be mindful because something is discounted that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a deal. What people often over look is the fact that retailers use their outlet stores as another chance to get rid of poor selling items and a dumping ground for old or irregular merchandise. Always take a close look any items you may buy. Make sure that all of the zippers work, that there are no major imperfections on the fabric and all of the clasps close.
Banana Republic actually produces clothes specifically for their outlet stores, so they don’t carry anything that you will find in any of their traditional stores. You can tell that an item is from their outlet by looking on the tag there are tiny stars under the name. This also makes it impossible to return an item to a regular store (I have tried).
Bargain shopping is always hit or miss and so you very well may have a different experience each time you head out. It is also important to keep in mind that not all shops in outlet malls are necessarily selling items cheaper then normal. Most of the time you will find tags saying the price before and “our price”, so you know what kind of discount you are getting. But not all stores afford you that courtesy. And we all know how easy it is to be seduced by what appears to be a good deal.
That said, they are worth the trip and at the very least you are in for some solid people watching.
Here’s a list of outlets within driving distance from DC:
- Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets
241 Fort Evans Road, Suite 241, Leesburg, Virginia
Over 110 stores featuring designer and sportswear apparel, home and furnishings, jewelry, gifts and much more.
- Potomac Mills Outlet Mall
2700 Potomac Mills Circle, Prince William, Virginia,
One of the world’s largest outlet malls with more than 220 discount stores featuring designers and brand names including Nordstrom RACK and OFF 5th Saks Fifth Avenue. Also has numerous dining options and an 18-screen movie theatre.
- Prime Outlets at Hagerstown
495 Prime Outlets Blvd., Hagerstown, Maryland
Outlet center with over 100 retailers, a food court and a children?s playground.
- Prime Outlets at Queenstown
441 Outlet Center Drive, Queenstown, Maryland
Over 60 designer outlet stores.
Bonne Shopping!
theory (go big or go home, right?) outlet stores sell items that didn’t sell on full retail floors, so you’re buying something that was out last season but you’re not getting a cotton/poly cheap-o version of what you saw in the store and couldn’t afford.
and i’m a huge fan of off-fifth saks stores for jeans. killer deals.
September 11, 2008 at 4:36 pmsaks at pmills is great. so is the bcbg and H&M, don’t go on a weekend if you can help it. thursdays are best (they get all their “new” stuff in and the crowds aren’t so bad.) also go during the day. it collects mallrats like no other mall i have ever been to.
ohohoh, their nordstrom rack and marshall’s have great shoes, as does their nine west outlet and if you’re lucky you might find something at off broadway (though it’s not an outlet, just a crappy DSW competitor).
anyway, i grew up about five minutes away from there and try to pretend that i didn’t. it has a horrible blueprint and takes forever to get from one end to the other (there aren’t multiple floors). if you go early you might get to see the “walkers” aka the stay at home mom’s that exercise by walking around the mall for awhile (the perimeter is about a mile). and if you spend a whole day there you might get to see tourists, by the bus load. so much for getting out of dc.
also, they have a rita’s that is located about 20 yards from H&M.
i hate it, but it’s so convenient and who can resist H&M and rita’s?
September 11, 2008 at 9:02 pm
And Arundel Mills.
September 11, 2008 at 4:05 pm