I'm talking specifically about Woodbury Commons, nestled mere feet from, but not quite in, New Jersey. New Jersey loves the outlets but most people don't love New Jersey, so this geographical strategy was a top-notch decision. Located off of the NY Thruway at the Harriman Tolls, these outlets appeal to jaded New Yorkers, Asian tourists, and New Jersey soccer moms alike.
The first thing to take note of is the fact that while many of the stores are not cheap, you can hit the occasional jackpot if you take long enough to scour Tods or Fendi. You will never find a decent sale in Prada or Chanel, but the YSL, Max Mara, and Bottega Veneta boutiques are truly fantastic. Most of the items within the stores are past season stock that didn't hit it big enough to demand a waitlist. Even better are the budget-conscious chains, such as J. Crew and French Connection, which offer many designs for less than $100.
The only catch to this fantastic warehouse of perfectly good designer buys is that you have to dodge various Asians (many of them my own family members) taking pictures in front of every store as well as the inevitable duds that you're bound to come across. There are SO MANY marked-down Tods ballet flats, but you might be better off sticking with this season's splurge that doesn't have patent leather tips.
I was lucky enough to stumble across these darlings, a pair of strappy black patent leather Fendi sandals for half the original price. Sure, they were shown in the Spring 2009 show, but they're kind to both my wallet, my legs, and my self-confidence. When all is said and done, there's no going wrong with a great find like such.
(Note: The Tanger Outlets have various locations along the northeasten seaboard, in the event that Woodbury Commons is not in your backyard)