Anonymous wrote:I think the Jcrew Factory stores are great and the quality for most items is similar to the regular store.

No. If it says "Factory" in the name, they're manufacturing for that brand, and what they're manufacturing is always of a lesser quality than what goes in the flagship stores. Cheaper materials, sewn by five-year-olds in Sri Lanke, etc.

It depends.

JCrew Factory is good.

Kate Spade outlet is very good: same quality, but dramatically less expensive. My wallet and several purses from the outlet have held up for years.

Tory Burch outlet sells the exact same ballet flats for $100 less than online or traditional stores. That’s a real bargain.

Nike outlet sells the exact same shoes for much less. Great deals! My favorite sneakers that were discontinued years ago were available for like $34!

Talbots, Ann Taylor, Banana, etc. are hit or miss but worth taking a look.

Vineyard Vines outlet is good: same clothes, better price.

Malls are pretty annoying places to visit. Outlets are usually mostly outdoor not mall atmosphere so that’s one positive.

Malls you have to go to the back to find the sales. Most outlets everything is on sale.

Idk is the Kate spade or coach bag at the outlet different than the one at the mall?

Are the Nike shoes different?

I hear that Woodbury Commons, one hour from Manhattan, still has high end designer outlets. These do not create a lesser line for outlets, I am told.

Anonymous wrote:30 years ago outlets were good to buy factory seconds, quality goods with slight imperfections.

Today, the companies just manufacture garbage for their “outlet” stores. Nominally cheaper but more cheaply made. Fast fashion at its worst.

It’s all garbage.

And 40 years ago you could get a deal at Liz Claiborne.
Now it's the same stuff as regular stores or you can find it online. The only vestige of utility is that there are lots of options in one place (like any mall) but everything else is the same-- same prices, etc.

I think outlet shopping is just regular shopping now from what I have heard. I do not shop in those stores.

I think the Jcrew Factory stores are great and the quality for most items is similar to the regular store.

Sometimes you’ll find fits in Outlet stores long after they’re phased out in the regular store. Express used to have low rise pants for many years. A lot of styles are ‘stody’ vs ‘edgy’ especially for men’s polos. Banana Republic has fun jewelry and boxer shorts in cute patterns. Also basic sweaters. I like the Tanger outlet ones in National Harbor. There’s also one in Hagerstown that I like. Leesburg is not so great.

fifth ave. --> macy's/bloomingdale --> jersey malls --> nj/pa outlets --> dmv outlets

My favs are where I can buy namebrands for my kid - Nike, Gap etc.

30 years ago outlets were good to buy factory seconds, quality goods with slight imperfections.

Today, the companies just manufacture garbage for their “outlet” stores. Nominally cheaper but more cheaply made. Fast fashion at its worst.

It’s all garbage.

Once upon a time there used to be factory stores that sold last season’s or slightly imperfect merchandise or some oddities that didn’t land well. I had a field day at a Le Creuset 20 years ago. I think there are still some like that. I know a few furniture/home goods by me (Brooklyn, NY).

But most outlet shopping now, especially clothing and footwear, is the products specifically created at lower price points to be sold at these places. That’s a waste of time.

Foreign visitors are crazy for them.
They often carry different goods than regular stores. Often less quality.
Not that cheap.
I bought luggage once. That was about it.

Its soooooo not worth it.

I confess I don’t really know what that means. I’ve been to outlet malls and bought things there, but what’s the distinguishing factor? They don’t seem much cheaper than their downtown or Tysons counterparts. Are there particular stores or types of merchandise for which outlets are a better bet than others?

And I heard somewhere (maybe here?) that the usual mall stores have different merchandise and lean more toward polyester knit garbage ? I’d love to find more natural fibers.

And finally, what’s the best one within an hour or so of DC?