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| The Mall. Know your stuff. |
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moflo's fashion sage gives you an honest guide to outlet stores.
The Mall can be a good place to find some real bargains, as long as you go in knowing what to expect. Outlets can be great for some deals, but if you aren’t careful they can also be a great place to experience some major buyer’s remorse.
Outlet shopping may not be the way to go if you want to score on the latest season’s clothing at deep discounts, but if you aren’t concerned with having the “it” bag of Winter 2008, then who cares. Classical items like a v necked sweater, a long soft scarf or even a suit can be timeless. So if you see something along those lines that you like and it fits well, then go for it!
A common misconception is that outlet stores are the place to go to for a solid bargain. But be mindful when hitting The Mall that just because something is discounted that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a deal. What people often over look is the fact that retailers use their outlet stores as another chance to get rid of poor selling items and a dumping ground for old or irregular merchandise. Always take a close look any items you may buy. Make sure that all of the zippers work, that there are no major imperfections on the fabric and all of the clasps close.
It is also important to keep in mind that not all shops in outlet malls are necessarily selling items cheaper then normal. Most of the time you will find tags saying the price before and "our price", so you know what kind of discount you are getting. But not all stores afford you that courtesey. And we all know how easy it is to be seduced by what appears to be a good deal.
And now, a breakdown of the actual stores at The Mall. Keep in mind that bargain shopping is always hit or miss and so you very well may have a different experience. I would say to definitely check out Fendi, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, and Sergio Rossi (great bags and shoes!). They are the most like their boutique counterparts in Florence city. The Dolce & Gabbana outlet is poorly organized and doesn’t seem to offer as much. If you do venture in there, make sure to look for any rips or dirt on the clothes, as I found a few the last time I was in. Tod’s has a big selection, but don’t expect anything fancy… it is like walking into a bargain warehouse. Diesel is hit or miss. They seem to carry a good stock of jeans, but much of their clothing is from past seasons and not
It’s worth taking the 30-minute ride and checking it out for yourself though. There is a daily shuttle from Florence to and from The Mall for 25 euro per person, round trip. Click here for the schedule and also for a complete list of stores.
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