Today's Outlet Malls are a joke.  In the late 70's/early 80's there were a few "true" outlet stores where you could always get decent stuff at deep discounts.  Now it's just another chain store business.  Not worth your time.

Click like if you came for smart purchases but stayed for the bikini

The Nike store is a good one, the Oakley store is a cool one, got a pair of Oakley whiskers for 80 bucks just because the iridium lenses were being discontinued....   these are 300 bucks normally.

Sometimes it is a good deal, sometimes it is not.

Just like everything else in life.

Outlets are definitely not what they appear to be. From what I have experienced, many of the merchandise are older models that weren't popular and didn't sell well in the full retail stores, with just a slight discount. Unfortunately, the nicer merchandise aren't discounted at all. And the items that appear to be a great bargain, are just cheaper quality goods made for the outlets. Don't get me wrong though. There are those "diamond in rough" out there. You just have to know what to look out for. Despite what people may say about them, positive or negative, there is still a market out there for outlets. I live in Orlando, Florida, which some might call the tourist capital of the world. Orlando is scattered with these outlet malls. International tourists flock to these stores because these merchandise is scarce in their native home, and can be considered a luxury to have.

Designer outlets are a joke, waste of time and money; overpriced-discounte​d items of inferior quality (yes, an oxymoron, i know). The only outlets that are worth anything is: Bloomingdales Outlet Store, Bose, Oakley, Williams-Sanoma and Rockport .

 

Off price retailers really are the way to go if you are looking for high end designers at a discount price (Tj Maxx, Ross, Burlington, Marshalls, Stein Mart); they carry designer fashions that are actually for sale in retail outlets. Also, the internet is great place for savings as others have stated in this thread.

My last trip to my local outlet mall bought me armani jean for 49 bucks, and a bose t-shirt for 30 bucks. You can't beat that! Please stop whining about. 

I don't buy designer anything.  The outlet malls sell the "irregular" merchandise from the manufacturer.  There is something wrong with everything.  You may have to look hard to find it, but it's there.  That's not saying you shouldn't buy it, but don't expect a big bargain.