Finding High-End Clothes at Low-End Prices

Outstanding Outlets
Are factory outlet stores and malls really full of great bargains? Sometimes. Are they worth the trip? That depends -- on how close they are, on what you're shopping for, and on how astute you are about prices. You can find some outstanding bargains at outlets (up to 75 percent off the retail price), but a designer or upscale item is still going to cost you, even if it's deeply discounted. At an L.L. Bean outlet, for instance, we found that the clothes weren't much of a bargain (half off, but still $60 for a casual dress), but Teva sandals (normally $40 to $80) were priced at $29.99. That's still not cheap, but it's not bad for a high-end product. Most people don't shop at outlets regularly (unless they live close to one). More often, shoppers visit outlets while on vacation or during a big shopping season (back-to-school, December holidays). Unfortunately, what you find will be the luck of the draw, but for a major shopping trip, try the following:

• Do your homework before you go: Know the general prices of the merchandise you're shopping for (wool coats, dress slacks, silk blouses).
• Look for outlet malls that are anchored by a few well-known names (Gap, Burlington Coat Factory, Saks) and that have at least three stores you're interested in.
• Get there early and walk the stores to get an overview of what they carry and the prices, making notes to yourself so you won't forget to go back later.
• Examine the merchandise carefully. Some big-name companies produce special lines just for their outlets, and the quality isn't always as high as their retail counterparts.
• Unless you're shopping for kids, leave children at home. Outlets require concentration.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring snacks and water. You'll last longer and won't have to stop to eat.

How Super Are Superstores?
Stores such as Target, Kmart and Wal-Mart can be super sources of inexpensive clothing, but you have to know how to use them. Although these stores sell mostly casual clothing, they are also good places to pick up trendy gear at a minimal cost. Both Target and Kmart have their own house brands (Cherokee, Route 66), which tend to cost less than national name brands and are quite well-made. All three chains have contracts with celebrity designers (such as Kathy Ireland, Jaclyn Smith, Mossimo), allowing them to offer more trendy looks at lower prices. Always make a point of checking the clearance racks (usually toward the back of the department) at the end of a season. The managers really like to move merchandise, so you can pick up stuff for 75 percent off or more (say, a $16 sweater for $4.99).

Price Clubs
These big-box stores may surprise you. Price clubs offer a variety of clothing, including major clothing lines, often at fantastic bargains. On a recent expedition to Costco, we spotted women's Speedo swimsuits for $21, crinkle-cloth dresses for $15 and designer shorts for $12. Sam's Club offered Polo jeans for men at $24.99 and their store brand, Members Mark, men's jeans for $11.98. The only drawbacks to clothes shopping at price clubs are that you can't count on seeing the same merchandise from one visit to the next, there often aren't any dressing rooms, and the stock tends to be strictly seasonal. But keep your eyes open when you visit. You may snag a really good deal on well-made merchandise.

Excerpted from Penny Pinchers Almanac: 1,743 Surprising Ideas for Getting the Most Value Out of Your Money, Home and Possessions (Reader's Digest, 2003).