Cincinnati Saks Off Fifth Outlet

This has been hit or miss lately. We always drive up for the solid Black Friday sales which usually offer substantial discounts on the already discounted high end goods. This year — not so much. Didn’t help that we drove an hour up only to discover the parking lot was blocked off (although there were plenty, about ¹⁄₃ of all available, spots) by security and we were directed to a shuttle lot several miles up the road by the casino. Signage was terrible, we circled around the entrance for half an hour before figuring out what MUG lot was (Miami Valley Gaming). So two hours later we arrived at Saks off Fifth only to find — no real savings. We did leave with a pair of $ 80 jeans for $ 59 (meh) and a peau de soie silk blouse ($ 139) for $ 59 — not so great.
Last year we scored some really luxe cashmere tunics and sweaters and walked away with a $ 500 haul worth about $ 1200 and great work dresses for $ 39 but this year the mostly Ralph Lauren work selection was pretty much the same as Steinmart and Nordstrom Rack, not worth the drive this year.

Not what I expected out of a saks looked like a marshals more then a saks they had God prices on joes jeans regular 135 down to 69 not bad. But really all the name brand I saw I saw tags for mavodes but didn’t see any in the watch case. U might find some sales or something special might take some searcher info but there could be a diamond in the rough.

I wish I could say better things about this store. Maybe I haven’t been having the best of luck here. Or maybe I’m not a good shopper here… IDK. But anyways, every time I come here, the prices are OK and the selection is also pretty mediocre. I do however, fully admire the size of the Mens dept. It is of pretty much equal size to the ladies section, but it just doesn’t really live up to its name! I do however, always seem to find a lot of Original Penguin, Michael Kors and of course a boatload of Saks label. Clearance is OK, but I really don’t see anything THAT SPECIAL. I don’t like to give people bad advice, so I’ll let you in on something. If you’re a guy and looking for some high end designer brands at bigger discounts, head down to Rookwood Pavilion and stop by Nordstrom Rack. There’s an endless amount of Hugo Boss for 40 – 60, Calvin Klein for around 20, Penguin for way less, and I once even found a cashmere Burberry sweater for only 109. A steal compared to its original price of a whopping 325. Woman’s on the other hand seems to offer a lot of good deals, (especially the shoes section) and I also am always lucking in the cosmetics section. American Crew for 10 – 12 dollars. Now thats a steal. Service is also a hit, unexpected from an outlet, and I always see a smile whenever I walk into their store.
Also, if you need an extra discount, try signing up for their More! Card. Its a great way to get the head notice in sales and discounts.

I love this store. I cannot come here and not buy something. It just doesn’t happen. I’m a fairly discretionary shopper, but the deals… these deals. I just can’t pass them up.
And it certainly doesn’t hurt that it’s a bright, clean, well-​organized layout. They’ve done a great job of making it feel more like a Saks and not some luxury hoarder’s basement.
So some people ask me, «Hey, Caroline C — How do you always find such great stuff here? I don’t have the same luck.» Here are my best tips:
1. Know your designers. You may have to try on a lot to find what’s best for you, but once you know which brands fit you best and consistently have the styles you prefer, then there you go. There’s a line of 100% silk dresses by some brand I’ve never heard of that always fit me perfectly. Be sure not to discriminate, you never know what’s lurking on those racks. You can also save a lot of time trying on stuff that won’t fit properly. As much as I wish I could wear Marc Jacobs, I’m not built like Victoria Beckham — but I can still stick to the accessories!
2. Know your price points. Yes, this takes a little research, but it’s good to know what the going MSRPs are and what the online sale prices are (like on Gilt or Bluefly). This way you know if you’re actually getting a deal or if you can wait for a better sale. You may also want to have a budget in mind before you walk in to avoid impulse buys.
3. Know your dealbreakers. Are you really going to wear that? Just because it’s inexpensive doesn’t mean you’re going to love it and wear it all the time. Nothing sadder than a shirt with the tags still on it hanging in your closet. Some of the higher-​end designer pieces are not exactly what I would call RTW. Fun to look at, but probably not practical to buy.
4. Three words to know: Made in Italy. Realistically, you’re not going to find those three words here that often. But if you do, jump on it. It’s worth every penny. Do not pay more than $ 100 for shoes that are Made in China. Those shoes will never be comfortable and will hurt your feet and you’re going to stop wearing them. Save yourself the trouble.
It’s best to go when they are having their 50% off clearance sales. This is pretty much the main reason to go. Jaw-​dropping deals:
— I found a Proenza Schouler dress for $ 300. Same dress worn by their current muse, Emma Watson, to a HP première. Yes, I love A-​listers.
— Did somebody say Nanette Lepore? Because my fave Ohio-​girl turned mega-​made in NYC-​designer pieces abound
— I got a $ 400 Vera Wang (yes, ok it was Lavender Label, Unilocal doesn’t judge) jacket for $ 15!
— Shoes, glorious shoes! Ferragamo, DVF, Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman
— I can still find some Ellen Tracy pieces here. *pause for moment of silence* I sorta don’t want to know how they made it here and how many times they’ve been tried-​on and returned, but I’ll take what I can get.
— Oh yeah, the Mens’ section is good, too. Zegna finds for around $ 100.
All this talk of shopping makes me want to, umm… go shopping. I guess my next step is to wait around my inbox for the next clearance sale.

The new super sized saks outlet rocks! Much bigger Men’s selection