Shopping Tips for Outlet Malls

Recently I had the absolute pleasure of joining a group of bloggers for a trip to the newly expanded Desert Hills Premium Outlets. You may recall my last (very successful trip to the Camarillo Premium Outlets. I had just as much luck and fun at our Desert hills trip. I won the “Best Savings” award for a pair of shoes I bought for 75% off retail price. Let me tell you how I do it and give you some tips for your next trip to the Outlet Malls.

First of all, you have to start off with a game plan. Mine usually starts days before where I plan out how much money I am going to allow myself to spend. Then I get a list of the stores and write down my preferences: stores I must visit, would like to visit, and if I have time I will visit. Trust me, outlet malls are very overwhelming when you get there with so many stores to choose from. And if you are on a time constraing like we were, it really helps to know which stores are at the top of your list to hit.

Second, I look up coupons for the different stores I plan to visit. Premium Oulets has a great VIP shopper program where you can get all the coupons offered at all the stores. You can sign up online and print the coupons, or download the app on your phone.

Thirdly, I put together an idea of items I would like to find. Maybe it is a pair of nude pumps, or a dress for a special occasion. For this trip, I really wanted to find some stunning and unique pieces to dress up some basic items I already have.

My fourth tip is- once you find items at a store you think you may like to buy, don’t buy them right away. Put them on hold instead so you can think about it a bit more and avoid going over your budget with your first few stores. The only time I buy something right away at a store is if I cannot live without it and am afraid to have it get lost or sold to someone else.

Once you have visited all of your “must have” stores, go over in your head or write it down on paper which items you would really like to have that are within your budget. I kew I wanted the French Connection sequin clutch at Saks off Fifth the most.

Funny story, I found Ivanka Trump cap-toe pumps in both nude and black in my size. I could not decide which color so I put on one of each color shoe and asked other shoppers what they thought. I was leaning toward the black shoe because I love black shoes and had a great DIY idea for them. However, everyone I asked said nude. With such a great price ($36 a piece) I just got both.

Beautiful heels I snuck a photo of at the first Alexander McQueen outlet store in the US.

Amazing gowns at the Alice & Olivia outlet store. I loved the black floral version.

Here are my purchases broken down by original price and the discounted price I paid:
– French Connection Leopard clutch– $58 paid $38
– Ivanka Trump cap-toe heels- $135 retail, paid $36 each
– Bebe tops– retail $48 and $22, paid $22 and $11 each

Thank you Premium Outlets for another great shopping experience! You never fail to disappoint! And a huge thank you for Chelsea and Allison. You girls were such great hosts, thank you for everything!