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.

“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.”

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!

Sometimes with a limited budget and a great sense of style, you have to make some important decisions.  Nothing is worse than when your favorite clothing falls apart at the seams.  It’s all too easy to grab a whole lot of trendy , no-name pieces that have been quickly fabricated, but will that quantity stand up to long standing quality?

No.

Whether Perez Hilton, Tim Gunn or Stacy London is the fashion guru whispering in your ear, experts have consistently recommended careful purchases of well made clothing to provide a solid foundation to any wardrobe.  It is the better designer names that will incorporate both style and quality; giving you a fashion staple that you can wear throughout the changing seasons, throughout the changing years.

Historically, buying designer quality for less has been a choice made by Loehmann’s customers for generations.  Combining quality, fit and designer names with seriously low prices allows for purchase satisfaction and excellent return on the clothing investment.    

So when you are dying for this season “must haves, head over to your local Loehmann’s.  Not only will you find the newest designer looks at less than department store prices, but quality and craftsmanship will give you fashion satisfaction for many years to come. 

The start of something new! Let’s blog is an exciting new feature for you… I can share with you some of what’s just coming in, up to the minute arrivals of interest and other topics, too. And most of all, I want to hear from you… What did you find today?… Shopping tips, questions and more… Let’s blog!