Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

The $400 Shopping Spree – Head to the outlets?

February 14, 2011 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

From the Mailbag:  Are outlets the best place to upgrade your wardrobe?

Above photo credit

Hey Joe:

My birthday is approaching, and this year my girlfriend is proposing a ‘shopping spree’ for me.  She knows that I have a hard time buying things for myself, but it looks like the perfect opportunity to upgrade my entire wardrobe.  My budget for this spree is $400.  The question is, where do I go?  One option I’ve been thinking about is heading to a pretty extensive outlet mall about an hour away.

Thoughts on that?  Do I shop around the regular Macy’s and Banana Republic locations, or do I try to maximize the budget with a trip to the outlet mall’s Banana Republic and J-Crew stores, with possibly sacrificing some quality?

– Steve

.
Here’s the deal about outlet malls.  They stick most of them in the middle of nowhere with the intent of putting some Jedi mind-trick pressure on shoppers once they get there.  Many end up feeling like they have to buy something.  You made the hike out there, so you can’t leave completely empty handed… right?

Wrong.  You can.  And you should leave the outlet mall empty handed if you don’t find anything you want.

That’s not to say you can’t pick up some great stuff at incredibly low prices.  But I’d suggest Steve take a two pronged approach.  Make a list of what he really wants, head to the outlet mall, see what can be knocked out without sacrificing any fit or too much finish, then hit the regular retail stores or web afterward for the rest.  $400 is a pretty solid chunk of change.  Let’s see how far we can stretch it away from the outlets.

The $400 Wardrobe Revamp:

  • L.L. Bean Signature New Tradition Twill Blazer- $135 & Pant – $59
  • Mercanti Fiorentini Leather Oxford – $119.95 (reg. $250)
  • Lands End Canvas Denim Jacket – $29.95 (reg. $69.95)
  • J. Crew Factory Point Collar Tattersall Dress Shirt – $34.50
  • Kenneth Cole REACTION Tie Clip – $20.99 (reg. $30.00)

The Reasoning: Six items for $400 might not seem like the biggest haul, but hear me out.  The L.L. Bean Signature Cotton suit can be worn together, or the pants and jacket can be worn separately.  The shoes are Italian made and pretty simple, the denim jacket would go great with the L.L. Beans pants, and if you add the J. Crew shirt to the jean jacket/chinos, you’ve got a terrific casual date night outfit.  Tie clips seem to be falling out of favor, but if you prefer a shirt and tie to a suit, they’ll keep your torso streamlined.

Or… Steve can just blow it all on J. Crew’s perfect Fine Stripe Cotton Ludlow suit, pick up a blue shirt and simple black tie, and be set for every summer wedding & warm weather event coming his way.  Your thoughts?

J.Crew at ShopStyle

Filed Under: Clothing, Shoes, Too Expensive Tagged With: cotton suits, denim jacket, Italian Shoes under $200, jean jacket, L.L. Bean Signature, mailbag, outlet malls, shopping spree, style guide, tattersall, tie clip

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

Steal Alert: J. Crew’s Long Weekend Sale is Live

Steal Alert: J. Crew’s Long Weekend Sale is Live

New arrivals, 30% off, 50% off select full price, extra 50% off sale items.

In Review: The Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch

In Review: The Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch

In person with one of the hottest watch releases in recent memory.

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Under $300 Spier Sharkskin Suits, Huckberry Sneaky Extra Sale, & More

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Under $300 Spier Sharkskin Suits, Huckberry Sneaky Extra Sale, & More

Plus Lululemon’s used/like-new shop is open online.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • In Review: The Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch
  • $20 off Nike Killshots for summer, TheTieBar Sweater Polo Restock, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Under $300 Spier Sharkskin Suits, Huckberry Sneaky Extra Sale, & More
  • J. Crew: 30% off Select Full Price, 50% off Swim Trunks + Slub Cotton Tees
  • Steal Alert: J. Crew’s Long Weekend Sale is Live
  • How to Sweat Less – 10 Tips for a Stylish and less Sweaty Summer

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2022 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.