Remember on Monday when I mentioned that I was going to the new outlet mall? Let's just say I definitely spent all my birthday money! A few random thoughts:
- I've never been to a mall opening before. Rumor has it that there were crazy crowds all weekend, but Monday afternoon/evening wasn't too bad.
- Some outlets are awesome (like J.Crew and Gap). Some are not awesome. There were a few that I was very excited about, but it seemed like they just had clothes from 10 years ago. Not interested.
- Some outlets are still too expensive for me. I'm hoping as time goes by that they will have clearance sections and then I can find things to buy (I'm looking at you, Banana Republic!)
- J.Crew didn't have the Sylvia wedges in my size, but I tried on a different pair of heels and decided to order both the black and tan wedges online. They had a deal for 40% off and then an additional 20% off plus free shipping, so I figure it will be easy enough to return them to the store if I don't like them.
- I saw at least 3 people wandering around the parking lot with no idea where they had parked.
- The restaurants out there need to open! There was pretty much just Subway and Auntie Anne's pretzels open. The gourmet grilled cheese places is going to be my new favorite.
- I came down with a slight case of BUY ALL THE THINGS on this shopping trip. I'm usually better at making wise choices, but when I got home and reviewed my purchases, I realized some things will need to go back. For example, the denim jacket that didn't seem cropped at the store but now seems very cropped! Probably because I tried it on with a tunic-length shirt at the store. Rookie mistake! And the fun patterned tights that got a run when I tried to put them on yesterday morning (not sure if I can even return these, but I will try!). I also ended up with a perfect camel-colored boyfriend cardigan, but it's dry clean only. I'm thinking I can hand wash or delicate cycle the merino wool. Am I crazy to think that? I won't dry clean a cardigan. That's just crazy.
TOPIO Item - blazer! (well, and the boots, but I already officially passed them on once).
Blazer: H&M
Sweater: Gap
Necklace: Bass
Skirt: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden
Cute outfit, I don't think anyone can go wrong with a striped skirt. I've actually had really good luck with prices at my local BRFS but have never EVER even considered paying the crazy prices at the J.Crew Factory store at my local outlets. So it sounds like we've got the same problem but with reversed stores.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, outlet shopping... I have a love / hate relationship with it. I tend to want to buy everything at J.Crew Factory every time I go in there. Gap is hit or miss for me because I feel like they carry the same things every time I go in there (which isn't often), but last time I found the perfect black skinnies in there. BR has great sales and is great for work clothes and accessories. I wish we had some decent outlets close by, but my bank account is probably happy I only make it to them a couple times a year!
ReplyDeletePS~ I've washed some merino sweaters and haven't ruined them. I pretty much dry clean only out of complete necessity. The one thing I've noticed is that sometimes the knit becomes a little tighter (and therefore a teensy bit smaller) even hanging to dry, but it's not so much so that it should make a big difference in the fit.
There was a time when I coincidentally went to outlets only around holiday seasons, and the prices always seemed reasonable to me. Then earlier this year I went and everything was full price. Apparently the "take an extra 50% off" isn't year-round. I get frustrated when I go to the outlets and there aren't 'take an extra..' sales. I hope you at least got something that's a keeper?!
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to score those Sylvia wedges online! They're quite fabulous. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI've only been to an outlet mall once...like 6 years ago...and I really liked it. I bought my first pair of Converse sneakers at the Converse outlet, and I bought some cute things at the Gap outlet as well. I'd love to make a trip back to the Gap outlet and get some new sweaters and jeans!!
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