Are you considering going to the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets? I’m here to talk about the general shopping vibes and my most recent haul.
Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is by far (in my opinion) the most luxury loaded, well stocked outlet in the US. Please enlighten me if your city has a better one. I mean the list of designer stores that have a boutique here is wild, you can see that for yourself here. But also if you do a little search, you will find out that many of them do not have outlet stores anywhere else in the US.
The first time I came here was the first (or second) time I visited New York City – the dedication, I know! I was a fan of Cole Haan shoes at the time and I needed several pairs, so I got a coach bus ticket and off I went. It was fun, I can’t remember how many pairs of shoes I got, but the trip was well worth it.
This blog post is all about my experience at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets and my haul. I really lucked out!
My Instagram post for this trip.
HOW TO GET TO WOODBURY COMMON PREMIUM OUTLETS
If you’re driving, turn on your google maps and there you are. You probably don’t need my help. If you’re going from NYC with public transport, there are two options that I am aware of and can recommend.
You can use the coach buses and there are two ways to buy your ticket, one is online, the other is at Port Authority (1st floor). This will cost you around $50 for the two-way ride. The bus ride is pretty comfortable, an hour and a half long non-stop ride. It does get cold, so bring a sweater. Another way to get this ticket cheaper is to buy your ticket through Groupon, it’s usually $10-15 less than what you would pay if you purchased it from Coach directly, the only caveat is they cannot scan this at the bus stop as it is merely a reservation, not a ticket. So you have to still go to the first floor and convert this into a ticket.
The other slightly more posh option is the Woodbury Bus. I say that because you can reserve your spot on the bus. I’ve not taken this bus yet, but I’ve heard great things about it.
With either option, there are designated times for the bus ride back to the city, the pick up spot is the same location used for drop off. I recommend you take a snap shot of the store right next to where you’re dropped off because you will forget it,
IN THE SPIRIT OF FINDING THINGS
Now that I’ve made my case for how great the selection is, finding things largely depends on luck – when you go, what selection they have, what you’re looking for, what sizes they have, etc… Kind of like when you go thrift shopping, you have some things in mind but you may find something completely different.
The final pieces I walked away with at Saint Laurent.
THE AVAILABLE STOCK
The stock is generally speaking, either 1 year old or at least 2 seasons out. They are either older items, discontinued (think discontinued designer bag models), or in the case of prada for instance items that are made specifically for the outlet stores (in addition to their older collections). Rarely, you will also come across items that were used in boutiques as display, so they cannot be sold at full price and get sent off to the outlets.
In the case of mid-range or fast fashion brands, you can find items that are currently being sold in stores.
DISCOUNTS
For luxury brands, generally speaking and this is an over generalization, ready to wear is 50% off, bags are around 25% off and shoes are around 30% off. Some stores have deeper discounts.
Mid-range and fast fashion brands offer a 25% discount from the prices seen in the boutiques.
Around the holiday season, stores will offer an additional 15-30% discount. This used to be a discount offered over the long weekend, but I noticed that more and more stores are offering additional discounts almost 2 weeks prior to the start of the holiday weekend. Some have explicit marks all over in the store, some are more hush-hush, if they notice you can’t make up your mind, they will say things like ‘I can offer an additional 15% off, if that helps’.
The heavenly sent options at Gucci.
WHEN TO GO?
In my opinion, try going on a weekday like Tuesday or Wednesday, so you’ve given the stores enough time to re-stock after the weekend, and those are by far the least crowded days to shop. If you have to go over the weekend, try being there at 10 am (if not earlier) when the stores open as lines start forming. So you can shop at the most popular stores before everyone else comes.
I went on a Saturday (two weeks before Memorial day weekend) and I arrived around 10:30 am, there were lines in front of Gucci and Prada with 20 people waiting in front of each.
Depending on the time of day, day of the week, you could be waiting in front of those stores for a good 15-20 mins. I personally don’t mind it, as I know I’m killing my day every time I go to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets anyway. It’s just the reality.
FOR FOOD
The food selection is slightly better now from several years ago that I can remember. At least for me, there was a Starbucks and Playa Bowls. So I was set for brunch.
Yes, please (I know she needs a good steam).
MY HAUL WITH PRICES
#1 SAINT LAURENT
I started my day at Saint Laurent. I rushed there as soon as I was dropped off the bus. No lines, smooth entry. I had the best SA, he brought out everything I asked for and more. If you saw my IG video, you know I tried every black blazer/ suit they had in store.
The store was very well stocked with the usual YSL logo bags, shoes (especially strappy sandals, few loafers), ready to wear, and a smaller selection of accessories (sunglasses, jewelry, and scarves). For Saint Laurent, please do not be afraid to shop in the men’s section. The blazers and jackets are cut beautifully.
I eventually picked the very first suit I tried on. I had initially walked in wanting an all black suit with some wool content in the fabric so I can wear it year round indoors. I came across this 100% wool black pinstripe suit from the men’s section. The Blazer was $1225 and the pants were WAIT FOR IT… $280. Those were heavily discounted as they were super big and needed tailoring. Nothing Saint Laurent’s tailor can’t fix.
I also loved these black tuxedo pants with a silk waistband; they came with a blazer but the cut wasn’t exactly right, so I skipped it and bought the pants. Those were $425.
I checked out the scarves quickly as I was checking out, and my SA quickly bought out one that hadn’t been stocked yet. I was very close to buying this last summer at full price ($500) and didn’t. Here we are, that was $160. Make it make sense!
#2 GUCCI
I waited a good 20 mins before I got in. I listened to a podcast, all good. The store was very well stocked with bags, small leather goods, belts, clothing, you name it. The shoe section was especially well stocked with an interesting selection (all Sabato De Sarno slingbacks, boots and mules) . I asked for any of their flat mules in my size. I got a selection, and I was ready to walk out as none of them were my style. Until I got two more pairs, and the trail towards indecisiveness began. I consulted with my mother and my friends. Ultimately I bought the one with pony hair because it felt it was so unique to pass on, and I also have the Jordaan in that brown shade, so it would be too repetitive. That cost $520.
THE REST OF THE STORES I WALKED IN
#1 PRADA: Prada had quite the stock in bags, shoes, ready to wear, nothing seemed interesting.
#2 CELINE: Celine had a lot of clothing, shoes, accessories, and bags. All Hedi Slimane collections, some old Phoebe Philo bags that have been discontinued (The Belt bag). Nothing was really interesting, everything was very logo heavy.
#3 Ferragamo: Very well stocked, lots and lots of shoes. But the discounts weren’t that great.
#4 Chloe: Quite the stock with Camera and Paddington bags. Very impressive, considering that I thought about getting the camera bag at full price at some point as it is super practical but the uber treated leather has always made me pause. Lots of clothes too.
#5 FRETTE: The usual amazing stock. They offered me an additional 15% off. So doesn’t hurt to ask when you’re shopping.
This blog post is all about my experience at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets and my haul. I really lucked out!
As always, thank you for stopping by and reading. If this content interested you, you might want to follow my Instagram account @girlontheues
See you next time,
Girl on the Upper East Side
Xx
If this interests you, you might enjoy reading my blog post on how to find your personal style, Frugal Chic, The Row Sample Sale.
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