Megan's First Premium Outlet Excursion

I have lived about an hour (maximum) away from the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets my entire life.  I've driven by them along 495 countless times, usually thinking to myself, "I'd really like to go there!"  My more fashion-conscious aunts have discussed their shopping trips there, the deals that they've enjoyed, and the things that they have wanted to get, but just couldn't that trip.

So, why have I never actually been there?  I don't really know.  But what is important, is that this morning I decided that it was high time that I went out there.  I didn't really head out with the intention of making any purchases and prepared myself for a lot of longing.  I looked up the list of shops and knew that this would be an afternoon where I would have to master self control.

After getting myself very lost (I honestly shouldn't be allowed to go anywhere for the first time on my own -- I was lost before I even left Boston), I parked my car shortly after 3pm, giving me a full three hours before the stores would be closed.  I wasted no time and started with Barneys of New York and Saks Fifth off Fifth. Within five minutes, I fell in love with a nearly $200 dress (wish that I could find a picture of it, hopefully some day I will).  Knowing that there was no way that I could purchase it, and feeling like I possibly shouldn't try on anything that I couldn't plausibly purchase, I did not find out how well it did (or did not) fit.  I did, however, try on a maroon dress that looked absolutely adorable on the rack and was in my price range.  Unfortunately, the bottom of the dress was banded and curled inward (again, wish I knew what this style was called -- but am still learning!) and I do not dig that look.  Especially on myself and most probably because I am short.

At Saks Fifth off Fifth, I mostly admired their sleepwear and their handbags.  The dresses, skirts, and sweaters all looked too big for me and the more juniors-targeted section was mainly leggings and skinny jeans.  I did manage to fall in love with the Calvin Klein Cable Satchel (pictured right) and spent a good fifteen minutes holding it and running my fingers across almost every inch of it.  I don't believe that I've ever held a bag (or any article of clothing or accessory) containing a metal plate declaring the designer's name. What I like about this bag (besides everything about the design and size) is that the name plate is inconspicuous.  It's there, there is no denying it, but his initials aren't plastered over every inch of the bag nor is there an almost entire side consumed by metal.  However, I did not indulge.  The price tag on one said $89.99 and another said $189.99.  I'm seeing it online for roughly $125-130, so perhaps I was a fool to not snag the bag at $89.99.  But this was my first trip out and I didn't want to throw money down on a bag before I know a little more about what's what or really feel out my tastes.

Other stores that I poked around in included BCBG (BCBG Max Azaria & Final Cut BCBG store with incredibly low priced everything), 2b Bebe (was expecting a regular Bebe Outlet, but instead seemed to stumble into BeBe for teens), Burberry (mostly winter jackets and $89 ear muffs), Calvin Klein (times two and this store included my only purchase -- a black shrug on sale... it fits perfectly), DKNY (again.. almost purchased a handbag that was on an extreme discount, but knew that as far as bags went, at that point, my heart belonged to Calvin), Gap, Guess (was hoping for more dresses, but drooled over all of the shoes), Juicy Couture (I was surprised to find two dresses and a jacket that I enjoyed), Karen Millen, Liz Claiborne New York (everything in there seemed to scream "mom" to me), Theory, Rue 21 (basically a glorified Wet Seal), and Kate Spade (I really, really enjoy the bold colors and shapes of her handbags).

There are so many other stores (http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/store_listing.asp?id=10) to check out and hopefully I will get back there sooner rather than later.  I am also hopeful that the next time I will get there earlier in the day, with company, and be able to fully explore every store that tickles my fancy.

This wasn't my first Outlet shopping experience -- when I was twelve we went to an Outlet mall in Miami and I remember it fondly.  One memory that has always stuck with me were the models hired by the stores to walk around the mall in outfits for sale, holding signs for the stores of origin.  It was so far outside of anything that I had ever experienced and I haven't seen anything quite like it since.  Today was, however, my first fashion outlet experience that I consciously decided that I wanted to go to.  I was so excited that I had butterflies and I can't think of a better way that I could have spent my Sunday.  And this jaunt + the amazing shoes that I received as a gift this weekend (will be posting about them later) have made this the perfect welcoming weekend for my re-immersion into the wonderful world of fashion.