I have never been a big fan of outlet malls. Didn’t see many bargains. In my corporate days when I bought suits and lots of jackets I always found better deals in Marshall’s and TJ Maxx and for current season items, Hechts’ and Macy’s sales could not be beat. To me the quality (low) and price (high) were not in sync.
Yesterday I went to the Eastern Shore for some family time and stopped in the Queenstown Outlets. I like to check 9 West for flats and decided to go to Chico’s too. Did you know that Chico’s now has a brand that is sold only in their outlets? A clerk was quite happy to explain to me that it cost less than similar items in non-outlet stores because the quality is not as good. The brand is Additions and it is not cheap. In addition the slinky knits are not very slinky. There were few Chico’s items on the sale racks. My advice – stay away from the outlets. Go to your local Chico’s for the sales. Or go to a thrift store. My last 10 Chicos pieces have cost me an average of about $3 – some complete with price tags.
Tags: Chico's, outlet mall, Thrift shopping
