Factory vs Outlet Clothing

I have had this conversation with so many people that I decided to do a PSA-type post about a factory store vs an outlet store.  My family and I go to the Outlet Malls in San Marcos every year for Black Friday, and we always have huge success.  The outlet pricing along with the additional Black Friday promotions make some purchases hard to pass up.  However, I have been burned in the past by several retailers before knowing the true difference between outlet vs factory clothing.

An OUTLET store usually contains items from a previous season.  It may have been the previous year, the previous two years, etc.  The quality is still the exact same as the tagged brand, however, the item may not be particularly current.  The Neiman Marcus Last Call store is, for the most part, a true outlet, although I believe they do have specific Neiman Marcus outlet merchandise.  Pottery Barn is also a true outlet store, selling items that are last season, slightly damaged, etc.  

A FACTORY store is where I get heated up.  A factory store sells brand new, current season, knock off, usually more cheaply made items of clothing.  Banana Republic is the bane is my existence when it comes to factory stores.  They used to be a true outlet, with older merchandise showing up in stores a year or so later; I could actually recognize it.  Now, however, the factory clothing has taken over, and the clothes are cheaper designs that do not resemble the quality and design of the actual Banana Republic retail store.  Unless you fully inspect an item, I do NOT recommend purchasing anything from a Banana factory store.  About 75% of the items that I have purchased have had to be donated, or even thrown away, because they are of such poor quality.

Here are a list of the Prime Outlet stores that I would personally shop at (for my Texas readers):

Neiman Marcus Last Call:  I have scored some GREAT items here at great prices, but you have to be very patient and dig around amongst the chaos

Coach:  The Coach factory store is just that, factory items.  However, I can vouch for the quality of several bags that my family and I have purchased.  Also, the prices are ridiculously cheaper than an average retail store.

Pottery Barn:  I have literally purchased the exact same thing at both the store and outlet.  However, research your outlet purchases here, because sometimes you can find them cheaper from the normal retail store.
 
Restoration Hardware:  Same as with Pottery Barn.

Crate and Barrel:  I can't attest to comparison with a C&B retail store, since we don't have them here in San Antonio.  However, I have purchased loads of items from the C&B outlet and have been more than happy with the quality and longevity.

Bath and Body Works:  Sometimes the prices aren't much better here, but sometimes you can find a great deal.  Again, do your research.

Kate Spade:  Again, great deals if you do your research.  Sale times, like Black Friday, are a great way to score big!

Ralph Lauren:  While this is a factory store, many of their items are similar in both quality and appearance to a regular retail store.  This is a place to scrutinize.

Cole Haan:  Probably my favorite of all stores at the outlet malls.  My husband and I have, several times, found AMAZING deals here, and the quality cannot be beat.  Highly, highly recommend!!

Use Caution!:

Gap:  Once again, a factory store.  You CAN find great things here, but really pay close attention to quality.  I purchased a denim jacket here from years ago that is still going strong.

Banana Republic:  See above

Victorias Secret:  Scrutinize, scrutinize.  I personally think that waiting for the Semi-Annual sale is a better option, and I think the items are much better quality.

The easiest thing you can do to determine whether or not your purchase at the outlet malls are factory or retail quality is to look at the tags.  Factory clothing's tags will be different from the regular retailer.  

Banana Republic Factory Clothing Item Tag

Banana Republic Regular Retail Store Clothing Item Tag

I hope this helps!!  Don't spend the same amount of money you normally would in a retail store on sale at a factory store and get cheaper quality items.