SF - Polo Ralph Lauren outlet has poor quality?

**aspriel** · August 21st, 2006, 05:08 PM

I'm taking a trip up to the Chicago Premium Outlets mall, which has a PRL outlet store. I rather enjoy Polo stuff, and can always use more. I was informed this week that RL actually has a separate "line" of clothes they ship to outlet stores - has the Polo tag and all, but is made of much lesser quality material. I was also told this about the Banana Republic Outlet - that they aren't just factory seconds/out of season/didn't sell - they are actually inferior goods.

Is this true? Anyone know/experience this?

**DocHolliday** · August 21st, 2006, 05:14 PM

Lots of outlets have merchandise made just for the outlets. This is certainly the case with Banana Republic and, of course, Brooks 346. In many cases, the merchandise is inferior to the main store stuff. I've never found anything I would buy in a BR outlet, and have all but given up going in.

There's a lengthy thread on the Polo outlets here:
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ad.php?t=57847

**aspriel** · August 21st, 2006, 05:21 PM

Banana Republic does? It's confirmed, and quite inferior?

I'd imagine Diesel doesn't... wouldn't be cost effective.

The way I see it - if I'm just paying for the name - Banana or the Polo w/ the Pony - and getting an inferior product ... I could go to Wal-Mart and buy an inferior product, or if the name is that important, I could head off to eBay and buy some obviously fake cheap Polos.

I like PRL and Banana's stuff not just for the name but because it's quite comfortable and I like it - if it's going to be uncomfortable, I won't bother...

**edmorel** · August 21st, 2006, 05:25 PM

Banana Republic's outlet stuff is borderline WalMart. Polo's outlet stuff is borderline crap. If you get lucky, you'll go to the Polo outlet when they have 10 items from the main store, which is about the most you'll ever find.

**Joel_Cairo** · August 21st, 2006, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspriel

Banana Republic does? It's confirmed, and quite inferior?

indeed. You can recognize it because the tag has three diamonds in a row over the words "Banana Republic." They say it denotes "inspired by our classic styles" which really means "we're ripping off our very own middle-to-low quality merch! YAY!"

I went to a BBs outlet hoping for some cut-rate slim fits. Turns out the "oulet" was in fact a "factory store" (aka 346), for which they dont even manufacture slim fits.

**VMan** · August 21st, 2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel_Cairo

indeed. You can recognize it because the tag has three diamonds in a row over the words "Banana Republic."

In addition to that, they may also have a thin line running through 'Banana Republic' (without the diamonds), or it may simply say 'Banana Republic', with 'Outlet' underneath.

Funny, because the prices on the made-for-outlet stuff only seem to be about 25% of retail price for similar items in the actual stores (not that I shop at BR anymore).

**aspriel** · August 21st, 2006, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmorel

Banana Republic's outlet stuff is borderline WalMart. Polo's outlet stuff is borderline crap. If you get lucky, you'll go to the Polo outlet when they have 10 items from the main store, which is about the most you'll ever find.

So you're telling me despite my love of blue label polo shirts, the price difference isn't worth it?

**drizzt3117** · August 21st, 2006, 06:31 PM

It just depends. Polo does have some shirts at their outlets that are main line but your mileage may vary. I have a few basic polos from the BR outlet line and they aren't terrible, although they aren't as high quality as stuff from the stores. I wouldn't say they're walmart quality, maybe more like between old navy and gap in quality, but for $10...

**Tuerney1** · August 21st, 2006, 06:32 PM

The whole practice kind of disgusts me.

**aspriel** · August 21st, 2006, 06:35 PM

What practice? Wanting to pay less for designer clothes?

**drizzt3117** · August 21st, 2006, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspriel

What practice? Wanting to pay less for designer clothes?

I imagine he's referring to making clothes not of their main label quality (i.e. diffusion) from their outlets.

**Tuerney1** · August 21st, 2006, 07:10 PM

Indeed. Although I don't actually have any issue with multiple lines of clothes but specifically with misleading outlet shoppers (who often travel quite some distance to the outlets), or at the very least being less than forthcoming with them, into believing they are purchasing quality items of the main lines at a great discount when they are actually purchasing what are likely lower quality products at a fair (or closer to retail) price.

**edmorel** · August 21st, 2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuerney1

Indeed. Although I don't actually have any issue with multiple lines of clothes but specifically with misleading outlet shoppers (who often travel quite some distance to the outlets), or at the very least being less than forthcoming with them, into believing they are purchasing quality items of the main lines at a great discount when they are actually purchasing what are likely lower quality products at a fair (or closer to retail) price.

Brooks has a small sign at their outlet which says that the 346 line is specially made for the "outlet customer". Feels like they are saying, "for the cheap bastards who don't want to shop at our regular store".

**dusty** · August 21st, 2006, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmorel

Brooks has a small sign at their outlet which says that the 346 line is specially made for the "outlet customer".

Hahaha, ouch, outlet customers.

**JR_Rider** · August 21st, 2006, 08:20 PM

I purchased some medium gray slacks from Banana Republic that are the exact same as the pair they sell in the stores for $125, and I only paid $45. I never new that companies had inferior products that they sold only at outlets though. Now that is a shame. You'd think they would like to sell the good stuff at the outlets, because many times they could cut out on the middle men. Especially Polo, what Department store doesn't carry some form of Polo.

August 21st, 2006, 05:08 PM	#1
aspriel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 137	Polo Ralph Lauren outlet has poor quality? I'm taking a trip up to the Chicago Premium Outlets mall, which has a PRL outlet store. I rather enjoy Polo stuff, and can always use more. I was informed this week that RL actually has a separate "line" of clothes they ship to outlet stores - has the Polo tag and all, but is made of much lesser quality material. I was also told this about the Banana Republic Outlet - that they aren't just factory seconds/out of season/didn't sell - they are actually inferior goods. Is this true? Anyone know/experience this?

August 21st, 2006, 05:25 PM	#4
edmorel Quality Seller!! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The colon of America Posts: 18,728	Banana Republic's outlet stuff is borderline WalMart. Polo's outlet stuff is borderline crap. If you get lucky, you'll go to the Polo outlet when they have 10 items from the main store, which is about the most you'll ever find.
	New Panta 6 fold unlined ties, updated 8/14: http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=192096 Panta pants updated 8/18. http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...19&postcount=1

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August 21st, 2006, 05:14 PM	#2
DocHolliday Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tombstone Posts: 13,835	Lots of outlets have merchandise made just for the outlets. This is certainly the case with Banana Republic and, of course, Brooks 346. In many cases, the merchandise is inferior to the main store stuff. I've never found anything I would buy in a BR outlet, and have all but given up going in. There's a lengthy thread on the Polo outlets here: http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ad.php?t=57847

August 21st, 2006, 05:21 PM	#3
aspriel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 137	Banana Republic does? It's confirmed, and quite inferior? I'd imagine Diesel doesn't... wouldn't be cost effective. The way I see it - if I'm just paying for the name - Banana or the Polo w/ the Pony - and getting an inferior product ... I could go to Wal-Mart and buy an inferior product, or if the name is that important, I could head off to eBay and buy some obviously fake cheap Polos. I like PRL and Banana's stuff not just for the name but because it's quite comfortable and I like it - if it's going to be uncomfortable, I won't bother...

August 21st, 2006, 06:31 PM	#8
drizzt3117 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 13,018	It just depends. Polo does have some shirts at their outlets that are main line but your mileage may vary. I have a few basic polos from the BR outlet line and they aren't terrible, although they aren't as high quality as stuff from the stores. I wouldn't say they're walmart quality, maybe more like between old navy and gap in quality, but for $10...

August 21st, 2006, 06:32 PM	#9
Tuerney1 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 87	The whole practice kind of disgusts me.

August 21st, 2006, 06:35 PM	#10
aspriel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 137	What practice? Wanting to pay less for designer clothes?

August 21st, 2006, 07:10 PM	#12
Tuerney1 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 87	Indeed. Although I don't actually have any issue with multiple lines of clothes but specifically with misleading outlet shoppers (who often travel quite some distance to the outlets), or at the very least being less than forthcoming with them, into believing they are purchasing quality items of the main lines at a great discount when they are actually purchasing what are likely lower quality products at a fair (or closer to retail) price.

August 21st, 2006, 08:20 PM	#15
JR_Rider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bull City, NC Posts: 165	I purchased some medium gray slacks from Banana Republic that are the exact same as the pair they sell in the stores for $125, and I only paid $45. I never new that companies had inferior products that they sold only at outlets though. Now that is a shame. You'd think they would like to sell the good stuff at the outlets, because many times they could cut out on the middle men. Especially Polo, what Department store doesn't carry some form of Polo.