The end of summer is usually the season for big sales, and how appropriate! It’s just the time to get a new wardrobe, and why not do it without breaking the bank? Yet there are also places that always sell clothes at a considerable discount outlet stores. And while regular boutiques are likely to lower prices on their spring and summer collections, outlets will have everything you need as long as you have an eye for quality and the patience to sort through the medley of clothes that prevails at such shops. But why not? It adds an air of adventure to the whole shopping process. So, if you’re ready to raid the outlets, let’s go!
Affordable Luxury
As I set out on my own shopping spree, I was most curious about the outlets that sell clothes by world famous designers. Everyone knows that the original prices for such items are usually sky-high, and not only in Ukraine. However, if the store is dubbed an outlet, implying that it offers merchandise at lower prices, the question is how cheap can it get?
My first destination was Grandi Firme Outlet a spacious store on the second floor of the Globus 3rd line by the monument at Maidan. At first I was excited to see signs for Moschino, Valentino and other famous designer names over the racks. I rushed to the Moschino section and started eagerly raking though the clothes. I was pleasantly surprised by the prices a jacket for Hr 800 and jeans for Hr 500 not too cheap, but more realistic than I had expected. Having sifted through most of the clothes at the store bearing familiar names such as D&G, Costume National, Miu Miu, DKNY and many others the selection is really impressive I got the joke. Most of the stock consisted of things that were either a bit weird in terms of design, or, if they looked suitable, were the wrong size for me, I mean. But since I am neither exceptionally small nor large, I’d say it might be a problem for any average-sized woman. The black top I tried on was size 42, and though I hoped it would still work, it obviously looked several sizes too big. Same with the cool rocker-style Versace jeans which cost about Hr 400. In the end, I managed to score a beautiful dark denim skirt from Calvin Klein Jeans for Hr 279 and left quite satisfied.
In fact, I was lucky to be at the outlet in time for seasonal discounts. Now the new collection has arrived, providing a better selection of suitable designs and sizes and much higher prices (Hr 1000 is an average). But there are still many less expensive items on display; beside solid designer names hang more affordable brands like Marella, L’Atra Moda, and Sandro Ferrone. The menswear section of Grandi Firme Outlet is a little less exciting, but its selection of suits, jeans and shirts from Armani, Calvin Klein and Hugo Boss will fill out any gentleman’s wardrobe. The most stylish and respectable discount store in town, G.Style, serves as an outlet for the high-end boutique Sanahunt. The selection at G.Style Store is poor in comparison to Grandi Firme Outlet, but the place itself is also much smaller. Here you’ll find a variety of shoes and bags, and clothes for men, women and children from Prada, Dolce&Gabbana, Ungaro, Cavalli, Gucci, Dior, Versace and others. If you’re a woman who’s crazy about shoes, the assortment of footwear including the super-stylish high-heeled Prada sandals and Dolce&Gabbana red-and-white checked boots with red satin laces featured in many fashion magazines this summer might easily take your breath away. Like the aforementioned boots, the clothes mostly belong to the spring-summer 2006 collection, which means they are just a bit dated. Therefore, they should suit you fine, unless you’re editor-in-chief of a top fashion magazine like the character in The Devil Wears Prada and are obliged to renew your wardrobe every few months. The discounts for all items are usually 40-70% the new arrivals are naturally the most expensive but lower in price as the season goes on.
Helen Marlen Stock House on Saksahanskoho offers an array of designer bags and shoes and some clothing items suitable for very elegant businesswomen. This is the place to go if you’re looking for shoes and bags from the likes of Ferragamo, Liu Jo, Blumarine, Prada, Gucci, Miu Miu and Chloe. The prices vary between Hr 1000 and Hr 3000, and some items from last year’s collections may be available for as low as $100.
Grandi Firme Outlet (Globus, 3rd line, 590-1847)
G.Style.Store (4 Muzeyniy, 490-5559)
Helen Marlen Stock House (29 Saksahanskoho, 287-6083)
Trendy and cheap
The outlets above can be real treasure troves for designer accents at prices that still leave you with cash to stock up on the season’s trendy items. Dressing in the latest fashion can actually be very affordable all you need to know is the right place to shop, and that’s exactly what I’m about to tell you.
One of the oldest outlets, aptly named Rest of Best, situated above the McDonalds on Leningradska ploshcha, receives its stock from stores of the Argo chain such as Jennyfer, Mango, United Colors of Benetton, Miss Sixty and Reebok. Discounts of up to 70% will allow you to replenish your wardrobe with quality items from decent brands. Not too long ago, my friend bought an elegant black coat from Mango there for about Hr 300 it was the beginning of summer, but she knew exactly what she wanted for autumn and didn’t want to pay too much. Even if you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for, you may be able to find something original and appropriate. Just keep in mind that the choice of sizes is usually very limited, and many items have defects. They come with an even cheaper price tag but may not suit you unless you’re good at repairing things or know someone who is. Fortunately, the items with defects are usually marked accordingly to ensure you won’t return and cause a scene after suddenly finding a hole in the sweater you just bought.
Super X has two stores, one on Saksahanskoho and another, newer one which I visited on Khreshchatyk. Though the shop is located on the city’s main street, it’s not easy to find. First, enter the passage between the buildings by the plate that says Khreshchatyk 46; walk straight ahead, and upon reaching what looks like an entrance to a store selling wedding dresses, look right, and you’ll see Super X written over the door. The tiny store consists of two little sections one for guys and one for girls. Most clothes in the store are by Tommy Hilfiger which should be a real treat for fans of the expensive label. However, you may also find other brands there, such as Miss Sixty, Mexx, Esprit, NEXT, among others. A fresh supply of clothes arrives each week, which is natural for such a small shop. While the clothes arrive with an impressive discount already the average cost of any item is Hr 100-200 they get Hr 10 cheaper each day. Since delivery day is Saturday, you’ll find the cheapest prices the following Friday, but by then there may be nothing to choose from. Considering the comfortably central location of the store, it makes sense to stop by every Saturday and Sunday, and you might find just what you need.
You can dress your entire family, from little kids to grandpa, at the lowest prices at the outlet of the inexpensive brand Sela. The only thing cheaper is secondhand, but all the clothes at Sela are new and good quality. The enormous store presents a jungle of stands with clothes hanging off and lying on top of them. The items are arranged in sections for men, women and children, and according to the seasons. In the big baskets in the middle of the hall you’ll find hats, gloves, socks and underwear with funny prints. They may look like piles of trash, but you might be able to find something very original in there. But don’t get carried away by the low prices – purchases at the Sela outlet cannot be returned or exchanged. And most importantly, examine each item carefully before you buy it; it may be defective, and unlike at Rest of Best, items with defects are not marked as such. The sign hanging from the ceiling, reading Where the items lack quality, the prices lack zeroes, says it all. Nevertheless, the store presents a great selection, good service, and very reasonable prices which for the most part don’t exceed Hr 200.
Rest of Best (Leningradska ploshcha, 2A Gagarina, 559-8324)
Super X (46A Khreshchatyk, 235-0115, 109/20 Saksahanskoho, 244-4140)
Sela (160 Frunze, 492-0560)
Stock market
Makros shopping center accommodates a whole range of outlets expensive, mid-range and really cheap which makes it a major destination. The discount gallery on the first floor consists of a couple multi-brand boutiques and a few menswear stores. At one of the multi-brand boutiques, I found quite a few interesting items Kenzo jeans and shirts, Christian Lacroix tops, and other things from D&G, Just Cavalli, Krizia and others priced from around Hr 300 for a top to Hr 800 for a jacket. The main drawback, however, is the fact that Makros is a bit out of the way (though accessible from Petrivka metro station), and therefore the amount of shoppers at the expensive outlets is quite limited. You’re likely to find yourself walking around on your own with shop assistants watching you closely, seemingly following your every move, which is not very comfortable.
Once you climb upstairs, however, the situation changes. There you find two stores with more relaxed atmospheres and much lower prices. The cheapest is Zoom outlet, mainly geared toward young people, combining European brands Zara, Muchacha, Pilot, Sister Point and others with affordable prices averaging Hr 50-Hr 100. The most expensive items are coats for Hr 500-700. You’ll find bright colors and funky designs, some resembling the famous designer brands presented on the first floor of the shopping center.
The neighboring Adidas store has names of other famous brands written over the entrance, but you won’t find any of those labels inside. Sporty clothing and accessories prevail here, so if you’re looking for reasonably priced high quality tracksuits, sneakers, knapsacks, swimsuits and various sports gear at 50-70% discounts, it’s the place to go. The shopper’s mecca of Makros is a conglomeration of extremes expensive designer clothes, very cheap stuff, and sporty outfits, with nothing in between. Still, if you happen to be shopping at Petrivka for books and DVDs or making a wholesale purchase at the Metro Cash&Carry, it’s worth taking a few extra steps to check out the stock at Makros.
Makros (16B Moskovsky prosp., 426-4919)
by Alexandra Matoshko, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
