The economic slowdown has lead to many online and media publications to post smart shopping hints for consumers. Inevitably, Loehmann’s gets mentioned as a place to find quality designer clothing for men and women at wonderful discount prices. This seems to have lead to a whole new bunch of shoppers finding Loehmann’s for the first time.

That’s a great thing. It’s like sharing a special secret that before hand, seemed only to be passed down from smart shopper to smart shopper much like an old family recipe for holiday rum balls.

What’s interesting is the number of new Loehmann’s shoppers that are genuinely surprised by what they find in their local Loehmann’s.

Just recently on another blog, the writer was very direct at expressing her dismay. She expected, and we paraphrase:

 “I thought there would be  last year’s wears, mismatched hems…  but really, it was the same stuff at the department store, but for much less!” 

Statements like these create the overall feeling that people don’t really understand how discount retailers acquire their merchandise. It very much amplifies the common myths associated with shopping at a discount store:

• It will be last year’s styles. They can’t be current fashions.
• I have a common size and all the sizes will be irregular, too small or too big.
• They will be damaged goods with broken zippers and bad seams.
• Only yesterday’s designers will be featured. There is something wrong with a designer if their clothes end up in a discount store.

Now, Loehmann’s has not made a practice  of producing television ads, but another discount retailer does.. And here, we would like to very graciously thank our competitors for producing what we like to look at as a fine collection of public service advertisements.

We are sure, that if you watch any television, you have seen the ads that explain, most clearly, how the same designer clothing that is currently at your local department store might end up in a local discount store at the same time. There is nothing wrong with the merchandise, it is not damaged nor broken. It is not ugly or misshapen. They are not throwaways or has-beens. The clothing and items, in all cases, are usually caused as a result of small human errors or other odd acts of nature.

And that, is really, how it happens that Loehmann’s can get to you, our smart shoppers, the finest name brand, current and fashionable, designer clothing at the most wonderful hugely discounted prices. 

Now that you understand, get thee to Loehmann’s and after you have had the shopping experience of your life, tell a friend about your shopping secret and spread the wealth, spread the joy, spread the deals on designer shoes!

She might return the favor and give you her grandmother’s rum ball recipe.

Tags: Quality Designer Shopping by admin
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Professional shoppers do more than boast about their great steals and deals; they offer handy tips to other fashionistas as well.  Researching into what people say online about Loehmann’s brings up some great tried and true ways to get the most out of your Loehmann’s shopping experiences.  This list is a compilation of various tips and advice notes from real people all over the web. The common thread is that it is all about Loehmann’s:

Mental preparation:

“Loehmann’s is not a place to go if you’ve got 20 minutes to kill.  But, if you’ve got a few hours to spare and cash to burn, well, you’re in for a shopping experience bordering on dreamlike.”  

 “Don’t go there if you only have an hour: as I’ve learned you can spend nine or ten hours in Loehmann’s and keep finding new things.”

“You have to be patient - sometimes you won’t find anything  that you are willing to buy for weeks, other times it will be a windfall - but isn’t that half the fun?”  

“You definitely can’t go in looking for something in particular - but if you go in with an open mind, you almost always find things you like.”

“Breathe, focus, dig, budget, change quickly, prioritize, and all will be right in the universe.”

When to Shop:

“You have to be in the mood to look and make sure you don’t have low blood sugar.  Bring a candy bar or something.” 

 “And DON’T go on a Saturday, unless you want to be knocked down by crazy women frantically trying on designer shoes in the middle of aisles.”

“I only go on weekday nights so I haven’t experienced the weekend trauma yet.”

Before you go:

“Eat a hearty breakfast, you will need your energy to weed through what is not your thing and what is the mother lode.”

.“Wear a bra and underwear set that you won’t be embarrassed to be standing around under fluorescent lights in. The private fitting rooms get pretty jammed, but the communal fitting room is quick and worth it.”

Plan of Attack:

“Hit the shoes first though, because you’ll need some energy and you don’t want to lose out if they only have a few boxes of each shoe in your size (especially if it’s a popular size).”

  “Once you have your shoes, go up to the top floors and work your way down again.  You will find so many deals that you’ll find it hard to pick and choose what your budget will allow.  I went in the spring to look for fun dresses (for wedding season), and I left with four! “

“Great handbags and shoes - but it’s all about timing.  Subscribe to their email list and get the low-down on upcoming shipments. It’s a hit-or-miss type deal. But the deals you do hit are worth it.”

“Never put down anything you think you might want.  Not even for a second.  Never ever ever.”  

What’s the real deal with the Insider’s Club?

(Seems like people like it!)

“Become an Insider Member for tons of extra coupons and savings.”

“Their Insider’s Club program IS pretty good because I get weekly emails notifying me of new stocks or in store promo’s they have going on.”

“Definitely sign up for the Insider Club; you’ll get email alerts about special sales and Insider Points promotions… “OOH, a 3-hour sale! Gotta get up early!”

“I HIGHLY suggest signing up for their insider club thing. You get 10% off when you first join and you get insider points, every 100 points is 10% off and you can use up to 2 at a time, 20% off. And you get 15% off for your birthday and you get to know before everybody else when the sales are and you get special offers. Totally worth it. Totally!”

 “Tip #1: Go to the Loehmann’s website and sign up for their mailing list.  You get awesome coupons practically every weekend…hey, 20% off your entire purchase is a fabulous deal, especially when prices are already slashed from retail.”

“Get a Loehmann’s card (and you can get coupons too) and then on top of the amazing deals you can cut even more money out.  Honestly, Loehmann’s is one of the best stores to find great clothing at incredibly low prices.”

Conclusion?

Get up early, eat a hearty breakfast and don a nice set of underwear. Don’t forget your “Insider’s Club’ card!

Have time to kill and open your mind to receive the offerings from the divine shopping gods.

Tags: Quality Designer Shopping, Special Deals by admin
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“Loehmann’s is like a drug.”

“I once went on a 4 hour lunch break, no kidding! How did that happen? Loehmann’s. “

“My heart races, my palms sweat, the fervor to get. that. bargain. doesn’t end until it has been gotten”.

“Confession: I once spent $1000 in a day here getting that bargain. Sick.”        

Real quotes from Real Loehmann’s Shoppers 

The concept of discounted clothing is not a new idea anymore. With the economic slowdowns and everyone watching their dollars, it is the sale that rues the day and brings the majority of shoppers into a store. Call it a sale, call it a discount, or call it an outlet; no one really wants to pay full price.

If we go back in time, there is a noticeable absence of the true discount clothing department store. It wasn’t invented yet. The history of every single discount store owes homage to one woman: Frieda Loehmann.

In 1921, Frieda Loehmann, a confidante of NY’s 7th Avenue designers started purchasing the  seasonal overstocks at a fraction of wholesale prices and passing the savings to consumers. That idea took hold and grew, obviously, into Loehmann’s, but also into all the discounted fashion stores and mainstream culture as well. When you shop at Loehmann’s, you are shopping the original.  Loehmann’s has kept true to their origins as well; obtaining merchandise directly from the original manufacturers. 

 Another distinguishing trait of Loehmann’s is the way the products are merchandized. Many discount clothing establishments will groups all the “like” clothing together making a shopper comb though racks and racks of generic “skirts” to find the real treasures. In Loehmann’s, however, due to their emphasis on discounted designer wares, clothing is separated by the actual name brands on the racks.   This allows a time sensitive shopper to “only hit the DKNY finds”.

Depending on what is available, Loehmann’s buyers also purchase designer collections directly form Europe, not just the US fashion market.  The original price tags are marked in Euros and can bring a unique international feeling to a suburban shopping experience.

Of course, one of the most original traits about Loehmann’s is The Fitting Rooms. They are so legendary that they require their own post.  The famous “Back Room” is not always a separate room or even in the back depending on your local stores layout, but still demands to be “the” place to find the hottest designer looks at mere fractions of the original pricing.

All and all, Loehmann’s still reigns as the first and the original. The fashion steals that are found here will continue to be passed down as mythical stories from generation to generation. While the “shopping tales” might get slightly embellished over time and cause the listener to question the truth of the bargain, true Loehmann’s hunter’s will nod their heads in understanding. If we could only click our heels and be in a shopper’s paradise, there is no place we would rather go.

“I am a shopaholic and Loehmann’s is my holy grail.
No matter what I’m doing or where I’m going, casual or formal,my first shopping stop is at Loehmann’s…it’s where my favorite designer jeans came from, my  interview suit, all my favorite shoes…there is nowhere better and nowhere I’d rather go.”

Tags: Fashion History, Happy Shopping Stories, Quality Designer Shopping by admin
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The designer bag is, hands down, the most definitive accessory to personalize your style.  There comes the question though of how much will you be willing to pay for the next “must-have” bag?  

 If you’re like us, the four digit price tag of these beauties is more likely to scare you off.  Fortunately, Loehmann’s summer collection includes designer handbags at a fraction of the price.  Whether it is a clutch, a hobo, a messenger or a wristlet, the search for the most chic summer handbag should definitely start at Loehmann’s. 

 Loehmann’s designer handbag collection presents decorative spring-into-summer purses that truly express the spirit of the season.  I mean, picture this - a printed or embroidered tote with a red-hot floral theme and a combination of terrycloth with silk ribbon ties.  Oh, what a fabulous way to brighten up your wardrobe!

Tags: Designer Handbags, Quality Designer Shopping, Special Deals, Spring by admin
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