Outlet shopping

[esquire.]

Hello everyone,

I'm going to be hitting the outlet near Palm Springs soon, and I was wondering if anyone had any hints or comments. Anything you would recommend to see.

Also, it seems that some items sold in outlets were never even sold at the stores first. Instead, they are specifically manufactured for the outlets, and then they give it an exagerrated retail price so you think you are saving a lot even though you are not.

How do you spot this. I don't shop that much, so I would have no idea if these things were sold in the stores first.

 

[Lint Brush]

I was at the Desert Hills outlet center about three weeks ago for a brief time. I was impressed with the Zegna store--they had a large number of Napoli Couture shirts and suits for at least half off (still expensive but you're getting an outstanding product). The Barneys outlet was disappointing--not much of interest (mainly Coop stuff), although I did pick up some soft Italian leather gloves. The Saks outlet didn't have any of their super high end shirt brands (e.g. Charvet, Borrelli, Hilditch) but I picked up a beautiful Ike Behar shirt for $35. Burberry prices were average. Happy hunting.

(If you make it to Palm Desert, I recommend a visit to Don Vincents on El Paseo--gorgeous stuff. Andy tipped me off--thanks, Andy.).

 

[Brian SD]

In my limited experience, it will say on the tag with the logo. An example would be that a GAP outlet shirt will say "GAP Factory Store" instead of just GAP.

I am curious on the difference in construction and quality between items created for factory stores, and items created for retail that are later sold in factory stores. Anyone have some info to share?

 

[Classic]

Earlier, I had posted a similar question about outlet centers and their content (see Same Shirt posting).
Since then I have spoken to some individuals in the clothing business and the consensus is that outlet centers carry merchandise made exclusively for them, end of season, overruns and seconds. As well as the odd regular slow moving stock.
Some stores even have signs to this effect.
However, having said this, they also stated that there are good deals to be found, provided one is prepared to look and be patient.
Suggest you read the earlier post, and the response from VersaceMan.

 

[Victor]

Don't forget that at an Outlet store they mark the label with red ink. Also inpect the clothing thoroughly, because there might be defects.
I found some great deals for shirts and suits a Neiman Marcus Last Call store. Donna Karan signature white button up, Burma and Bibas silk shirt, a sweet black Versace suit and a Mondi Di Marco houndstooth sportcoat.

What do you all think of Armani Exchange?

 

[gregory]

Don't forget that at an Outlet store they mark the label with red ink. Also inpect the clothing thoroughly, because there might be defects.
I found some great deals for shirts and suits a Neiman Marcus Last Call store. Donna Karan signature white button up, Burma and Bibas silk shirt, a sweet black Versace suit and a Mondi Di Marco houndstooth sportcoat.

What do you all think of Armani Exchange?

Personally, I feel a lot of the clothes are OK if you have a well-maintained body and can wear it with confidence [even then, I tend to dislike excessive stylishness/vulgarity in casual clothes] but anyone else who attempts it may look like he/she is trying too hard. Absolutely stay away from clearly visible logos.

 

[esquire.]

I went in to the outlets today, and this is what I think about whether or not the merchandise is real.

I really didn't see that many tags with red ink, nor signs stating what they were, as classic suggested.

You really can't ask the people working there. They don't have a good concept of what their products are. They're trained just to greet you at the door, and to work the cash registers. I tried asking some of them, but they just told me that they really had no idea.

I'd be suspicious of companies that sell at lots of different outlets. To me, it seems if we're really dealing with excess stock, and if they're doing their job correctly, they shouldn't have that much. There are several outlets in S. Cal. that are several hours away from each other. I would be wary of a company that has stores in all of these outlets. Look at Allen Edmonds outlet. There's only a few in the country, so you know these must be legitimate.

Items are definitely marked up for the full retail price. You need to go shopping before you go to the outlets to get a more authentic view of the prices listed.

If it has irregulars, and not a great selection, then its probably real. I don't trust the stores that had every possible size, style.

Does anybody know what it means when they say it's a 'factory store.'

Which is better, the Barney warehouse sale or the outlet. I didn't have that much time, it seemed to me they were the same.