Wardrobe Matters: Outlet Shopping

I've got a little bit of time today, so I plan on perusing the closest (less than an hour) TJ Maxx. I can't decide whether or not outlet shopping is truly worth my time or not.

When I read fashion/beauty newsgroups, I'm always amazed at what people are able to find at stores like TJ Maxx (or Ross, et. al). I think I'm probably most envious of those lucky shoppers who score beautiful bags, jewelry, or shoes at good prices-- those things really last a long time, so it strikes me that it might be worth it to get them at an outlet price if possible.

I'd say that in the last year I've only bought one wardrobe item at an outlet-- a pair of ballerina flats, made in Italy, of apple green suede. They have a sort of Gucci-ish horsebit trim on the vamp of the shoe that has small (I'm not a sparkly girl, mind you) rhinestones. I probably paid about $25 for them. Worth it, in my opinion, since I'd never buy flats in that color at full price and I'm coming to the conclusion that cheap ones (Target has some really cute flats every season) generally aren't worth it for my feet that I've bashed up through a combination of age, working out, weird foot genetics, and standing up most of the day at my job. I haven't worn the flats a ton (I live in a cold climate) but I also don't feel bad about them getting bashed up for the price I'm paying.

I've also experimented with perfume from outlets with varying degrees of success. I've got a bottle of Balmain's Jolie Madame that I think I paid $5 for-- very worth it as it's one of those lady like perfumes that's perfect for every situation and in most kinds of weather. Recently I bought a bottle of Cabotine (de Gres) which I like a bit less-- it's very sharp at the opening and dries down on me in an odd powdery/astringent way. For $10, though, I'm not out much, and I will continue experimenting with it as our weather warms up.

I don't live near the outlet mall anymore, but I did enjoy stopping there years ago. My husband and I were young and broke, and the outlet Gap and outlet J Crew formed the basis of much of our work wardrobes. While the clothes didn't hold up quite as well as pieces made specifically for the chain stores, they were pretty good and probably the "best" we could afford at the time.

So-- is the outlet mall stop worth it? Probably, but only if you really have the time and enjoy the "hunt". I enjoy browsing through stores but I'd wager that I won't come home today from TJ Maxx with anything. What's really more cost effective is to decide whether or not an item really will work for you.