STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

travelgirl · Kate Spade

Banana Republic Factory Outlet

twinkle_star · Kenneth Cole

I totally agree. Unfortunately I don't get to go outlet shopping very often but every time I do go BR is a must-visit They have awesome sales and I agree that I often think their stuff is cuter than the real store.

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

I never get around to the outlet but I do think that BR has cute colors in there stores right now!

stardust · Kenneth Cole

ooh thanks for the tip- I will definitely be checking it out!

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

I've been to the outlets in PA and while the BR Outlet does have some good items, IMO I like the store much better. I have def gotten great deals on staples like black pants, blazers and some summer sandals.

tri_sarah_tops · Marc Jacobs

There's one at the outlet mall near my house and I check it out at least once a week. They have a great petites section, which I love. Last week they had tons of knit tops buy one get one free. I love it!

I've been finding great stuff at the Gap outlet, too. They have the boyfriend pocket tees exactly like the ones in the regular store but in thicker material for $14 and they're currently 40% off.

- edited for jumbled text courtesy of finicky laptop mouse.

-- Edited by tri_sarah_tops at 10:38, 2009-02-25

Sandy · Kate Spade

I've been itching to go to the outlets lately. Maybe I'll con the BF into going up there with me this weekend. He always wants to go to Friendly's for breakfast and there's one at there... sounds like a plan!

Our BR outlet store is huge and always crowded. I've never done any digging, just a quick browse, but it always seemed like they had boring basics there. I guess I'll have to look a little harder!

blink · Coach

I have one near my city and I love it!

However...I have noticed that the quality is noticably less than the BR stores though. For example, I bought a summer blouse from BR that I loved in 2007. In 2008, I noticed the BR Factory Store version of the same blouse at the outlet, it looked the same, but the colors, fabric and cut were slightly different and not as nice as the BR version. So basically, it's like the same designs, obviously, but not the top quality. I also thought the prices at the Factory store could be cheaper...but then I think BR should be cheaper too, so oh well.

rlutz · Chanel

i love the br factory outlet...they have great basics and great sales...

Kelly · Hermes

Ack! I wrote a response yesterday but then my internet went wonky and I guess it never posted. I think the gist of what I wrote was that while I've scored a couple good deals there, I haven't been more than maybe 3 or 4 times because whenever I think of going there, I fill up with dread. The one by me is a combo of ON, BR, and Gap (I think those are the stores?) and I've always had to do some SERIOUS digging to find things that were worth it. Most things fit funny, have rips, etc.

gossipgirl · Dooney & Bourke

Ive shopped BR Outlet and it has good items, as long as your selective
evileye

travelgirl · Kate Spade

Kelly wrote:

Ack! I wrote a response yesterday but then my internet went wonky and I guess it never posted. I think the gist of what I wrote was that while I've scored a couple good deals there, I haven't been more than maybe 3 or 4 times because whenever I think of going there, I fill up with dread. The one by me is a combo of ON, BR, and Gap (I think those are the stores?) and I've always had to do some SERIOUS digging to find things that were worth it. Most things fit funny, have rips, etc.

Kelly,
I know the outlet you are talking about-the one near the airport-yeah that place is crazy! I do love that outlet but you HAVE to dig. I have found fabulous deals there in the past though (BR trench coats for $10, black maternity pants for 49 cents, bathing suits for a buck, leather purses BR purses for $10 to name a few) but you do have to be careful.

The Banana Republic Outlet I'm talking about is in between Cincy and Columbus in Washington Courthouse. It is much different (but it is more expensive than the one in KY). Nothing has holes though!

jah · Dooney & Bourke

travelgirl wrote:

Kelly wrote:

Ack! I wrote a response yesterday but then my internet went wonky and I guess it never posted. I think the gist of what I wrote was that while I've scored a couple good deals there, I haven't been more than maybe 3 or 4 times because whenever I think of going there, I fill up with dread. The one by me is a combo of ON, BR, and Gap (I think those are the stores?) and I've always had to do some SERIOUS digging to find things that were worth it. Most things fit funny, have rips, etc.

Kelly,
I know the outlet you are talking about-the one near the airport-yeah that place is crazy! I do love that outlet but you HAVE to dig. I have found fabulous deals there in the past though (BR trench coats for $10, black maternity pants for 49 cents, bathing suits for a buck, leather purses BR purses for $10 to name a few) but you do have to be careful.

The Banana Republic Outlet I'm talking about is in between Cincy and Columbus in Washington Courthouse. It is much different (but it is more expensive than the one in KY). Nothing has holes though!

One is an outlet and the other is a Factory Store. The Factory Store is actually an owned store where they make items specifically for placement in the store (some lower quality fabric, slightly different designs, in some cases the exact same things in different colors) whereas the Outlet is where they ship overstock or damaged items from the regular stores.

I love the Factory Store and always find things I like there (recently I bought some wrap cardigans for $4.18 each - I had previously bought the regular price one for $69 in the regular store). I don't have an outlet near me, so can't speak to if I like that or not!!

FashionPrincess · Hermes

I was just at a BR factory store yesterday... I saw an adorable black silk dress with white butterflys along the bottom of the skirt but unfortunately the sleeves were kinda weird and not flattering at all :( But they did have some really nice stuff. It's especially a good place to shop for work clothes.