Spring merchandise has been in department stores for several weeks now but this month is when the discounters start receiving the best selections of the season. Our first stop was Filene’s Basement on the Upper West Side. The store is usually an excellent source for discount Missoni and D&G and this season was no different.
On the Missoni racks we found lots of gowns ranging from $299 to $599. Peseant cut Missoni print tops ranged from $100 to $200 with original prices ranging from $400 to $600 and heavier weight knit dresses were $199 with an original price of $500.
Over in the D&G neck of the woods, we spotted a gown that we saw at Century 21 last season. Priced at $1700 at Century 21 then reduced to $600 during their end-of-season clearance sale, that same gown is a steal at Filene’s at just $399. (The full retail price of the D&G gown was quoted as $4200 on the tag at Century 21 but $5200 on the tag at Filene’s??!!)
Moving past gowns, the Filene’s D&G collection appears to be mainly from the Spring 2009 RTW collection that was heavily weighted with nautical themed designs. A light weight tweed jacket is $200 from a suggested retail price of $575 and a sequined top is $199 from $1035.
Even though these prices are amazing, they do get better. Filene’s is known for their great markdowns with an extra 50% to 75% off. If there’s an item you really like now, however, the prices are truly good enough not to worry.
One more suggestion: Although we found a lot of great items on the Upper West Side, true bargain shoppers should head to Union Square where the selection and brand assortment is several times larger.
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