Fall Outlet shopping – Is it worth it?

Dear Glam Gals,  

I’m ready to start shopping for fall but don’t want to break the bank.  I live in a town that is about an hour and a half drive to the nearest outlet.   Is it worth the drive for me to save money?  Do they even have fall clothes at the outlets or will it still be all summer sales?

Jessica G.

Dear  Jessica,

It’s me Glam Gal, JoJami here to take on your question! You are in luck because I just so happened to be traveling around the country (on the Tour de Glam) and today I am in Branson, Missouri, where I stopped by the Tanger Outlets to check out the goods.

Here is what I found out and what I ended up buying:

This particular Tanger Outlet consisted of actual outlet stores and had several “factory stores.”  A factory store means that the factory actually makes items specifically for the outlet store in a “discount sort of way.”  That means that these items are not usually up to the regular store standards but have a similar style but not necessarily the quality.

Here is what I mean.

I went into the Ann Taylor Factory Store and the first thing that caught my eye was a table of pretty cardigans.

This sweater was made just for the Ann Taylor outlet store.

This sweater set is from an original Ann Taylor store that was brought in to sell at a discount.

The purple sweater was originally $68.00 and now was $49.99 plus 40% off

So, the sweater on the left above has a price tag that was just like a normal tag with no discount marked on it.  However, the tag on the purple sweater (on right) had the orignal price listed and a discounted price in RED.  That top was made of nicer fabric and could be found at a regular Ann Taylor store.  Since everything in the store was 40% off, this meant that the lowest price of anything in the store would be discounted so the prices were pretty darn good! (Just for the record I did not buy either of these items, just wanted to use them as an example.)

However, I did spot this classic blue and cream striped long sleeve top. It was made of  some thin, stretchy fabric and fit well. I really liked that it had a “V” neck and not a rounded one, so I grabbed it for $17.00.

This striped shirt will be a wonderful addition to my wardrobe! I snapped it up on sale for $17.00 (orig. $29.99)

Pointed "puff" sleeves will be a hot new trend this fall. However, this sweater has too much going on not to mention it's boring grey. And did they really need to add that pocket too? I say "pass" on this item. (BGBG)

BCBG

First I saw the BCBG store and was just curious to see what they had on hand.  This store is definitely on the trendy side so I was not surprised when the sales associate showed me the latest sweater with pointed puffed sleeves and a bow…2 trends in one!  This sweater was marked down from $88.00 to $39.00, so you might think it’s a deal however it is never worth buying anything unless you really love it.  Pass on this one for sure!

Under Armour

Personally, work out clothes are one of my favorite things to buy.  I love to exercise and after recently going to a Yoga retreat I noticed one of the teachers always wore all white.  Since then I have bought a pair of white yoga pants that I just love and can mix and match with all my tops.  They had gotten a little dingy looking so I decided to see if I could find a few new white pieces.

Adding some white to your workout wardrobe can feel refreshing!

Once again, I found out that this was an outlet store that had both full price and discounted items.  So here is what I bought:

• workout bra $29.00 (originally $49.00)
• shorts $27.99 (these were full price but the newest in “compression” fabric, it was worth the splurge!)
• top $9.97  (originally $24.99)

 

Textured hose are usually a great find if they are on sale, just make sure you test the fabric for good stretch and quality.

Make sure you always try on the item you are thinking of buying.  I saw a beautiful cardigan I know I needed, but when trying to unbutton it, I realized the button holes were too small and it made it nearly impossible to undo.

PASS!!! Don’t buy things that are hard to put on or take off!

Finally, I did not find anything that was unique or wonderful to add to my fall wardrobe.  I only found basics.  If you are serious about wanting to add some great pieces to update your wardrobe your outlet will need to have some higher end stores and you must be a savvy shopper and be super super picky about what you come home with.  Better to save your money and shop in a boutique or mall than to stock up on sale items that only fill up your closet with blah, ho-hum items.

So to recap my day and review these shopping tips:

• Yes an outlet can be a great place to save money on basics but you will need to go with a plan in mind of what you need and try not to get sidetracked.
• Only buy items that you will need for the upcoming season.  Summer is almost over, only buy fall items now.
• Be careful that you buy quality.  Cheap fabric will not last and you will feel lousy in it.
• Don’t be tempted to skip trying it on.  You MUST try things on you plan to buy or you might be sorry when you get home!
• Make sure you are not stock piling on more black or grey items.  Instead, go for an item in your best color.  It will add some wonderful “zing” to your closet!
• If you feel iffy about an item when you are at the checkout counter…just ask that they don’t ring it up.  There will always be something better out there that you might want to save your money for.
• If your outlet has high-end stores like a Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom, you might find that special piece to update your wardrobe…other brand stores just have mostly basics.

What are you wearing to bed, this summer?

We girls all talk fashion all the time, but when it comes to what we are wearing in the privacy of our own bedrooms, well it is certainly not something we usually compare notes on!

With record heat and if you are prone to a hot flash or two, what to wear to bed this summer, is a big question!

Last week I went outlet shopping with a friend and of course there are always rows and rows of nightgowns, p.j’s and of course the sexy nighties…

Aaah, these are much better!!

I feel like a Granny in these stiff cotton print P.J's~

Just for fun I tried on a really dreadful pair of pajamas.

Tips for finding a new sleeping outfit:

1) Touch the fabric first, if it is soft and comfortable that is good!

2) Try finding styles with a low v-neckline, these are usually most flattering!

3)Stay away from crazy patterns, they will be too stimulating! At night you want to put on something that is soothing~

4)Make sure to try them on. I usually go a size larger, so that they are comfortable!

One of favorite brands are Cosabella, however they can be on the pricey side.

Here is a pair that are fun:

Cosabella is a wonderful brand, very comfortable and a better choice than ugly flannels!

If you are feeling dumpy in your night time jammies… run out and try to find a pair that you will be comfy and feel a little sexy in too!  (JoJami  at the Neiman Marcus Last Call outlet, in Limerick, PA)

What are you wearing at night? Let us know by commenting below!

A Shopping Trip to the Outlets can be Fab or a Flop, find out more!

Are you making any of these shopping mistakes?

Do you love outlet shopping?  If so, beware… you might think you are saving money, when in reality you are spending more and coming home with nothing that satisfies your urge to have something wonderful to wear!

Here are some of the top mistakes women make when shopping at an outlet or large discount store!

1) Shopping with no idea or goal on what you want to buy.

If you go to an outlet with no idea what you need to buy, it can wipe out wallet. Moreover, you will get to the store and probably feel totally overwhelmed. Instead, before you leave, go to your closet and see what you need. Then make a list and take it with you!

2) Getting off track.

Once you decide what you are looking for (e.g. Is it a new casual outfit? Or a new dress for an upcoming event?) go into the appropriate store, find the sales person  and tell her what you are looking for.  That will help you stay focused on what choose to take into the dressing room.

3) Buying ANOTHER black item!

Unless your goal is to buy something in black, we find most women over 40 tend to have way too much black  in their closet already. Wearing less black is super hard to do, but the rewards are great! By avoiding buying anything black, it forces you to add something colorful to your closet which make you feel like a million bucks!!

4) Trying on all Colors

Beware  that not all colors suit all skin types. You need to be aware which colors look best on you and stick with only those. If you stick with one “season”, then all your clothes will mix in match in the future! If you pick items  from all sorts of different color categories, you will actually limit the outfits you will be able to mix and match in the future.  (For more help with this, contact your local image consultant for a color consult! It will be totally worth it!!!)

5) Letting those SALE tags seduce you into buying!!

You may be tempted to buy things when you see all those wonderful “discount” prices…but don’t do it!  Instead, really slow down and ask yourself these 3 questions:

~Do I already own something similar?

~Do I love the fit, color and style of it?

~Is it something that I will be able to wear and it makes me feel special? (this is the most important question to ask yourself!)

If you put limits on what you buy, it will help you make a better buying decision! Most women find that they buy “safe” items or just basics…like another pair of jeans or simple t-shirt. If you are going to an outlet, now is the time to find that special piece to add to your closet! Don’t blow your money on things that you can pick up just anywhere!

6) Not trying things on!

We’ve all done it. You are at the counter and you pick up  that last little item and just throw it in the pile without even bothering to try it on, because of course the price is “just too good to pass up”! This is a big mistake. We have found more times than not, when we go and try it on, we really didn’t want or need it.

Please share with us your comments, frustrations or tips,we want you to join in on this conversation! (Just press the “Leave a Comment” button below)