Vince tee c/o ($35!) || French Connection eyelet midi skirt c/o ($40!) || Splendid wedges c/o ($40!) || La Sera woven tote c/o – last seen here (sold out, linking other budget-friendly options below!) || sunglasses
photos by Anna of A Lily Love Affair
Shopping designer department store outlets can be overwhelming.
Am I right? I walk into designer department store outlets such as Saks Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack and Neiman Marcus Last Call and then, well then I usually walk out. Signs advertising brands like Vince, Rebecca Minkoff, Rage & Bone and Stewart Weitzman at UP TO 80% OFF (!!!) are hard to just ignore, but the act of shopping these stores can feel really overwhelming. Finding that Free People top you wanted earlier in the season, or that pair of booties you passed up and then regretted, is sort of like finding a needle in a haystack.
But, the goal of this blog has always been to bring you style that’s affordable. I’m a huge believer in high-low styling and that you can find affordable pieces that look much more expensive than they actually are. It was in that vein, that I longed to find a way to shop designer department store outlets and bring you really amazing brands at Target(ish) prices. Well, guess what? It turns out the trick is stay home. Yep, stay home, don’t drive to the outlet mall.
The trick to shopping designer department store outlets is shopping online.
Gone are the days where the merchandise categories are both narrow and shallow. In fact, most of these outlets have more on their websites than they have in-store. So here are my tricks for scoring serious designer deals at pretty amazing prices…
1. Search for the brands you love. I adore classics like Vince, French Connection and Paige Denim and I’m always able to find wardrobe classics that are much higher quality that you’ll find with fast fashion at a similar price point.
2. Don’t wait. If you find something you love, don’t hold off on pulling the trigger. Stock is limited and most often items will not be restocked. If you find something you love go for it. Also, designer department store outlets usually offer great return policies, similar to their parent stores.
3. Try the store brands. I’ve had amazing luck with Nordstrom Rack tees and Neiman Marcus Last Call dresses! Often times you can find on-trend items, similar to Nordstrom’s BP, at a fraction of the price.
So if you’ve attempted to shop in-store and found yourself overwhelmed and discouraged, give these sites a peek. I’ve found its easier to add some of my favorite brands to my wardrobe than ever before!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
