Home
>
Guide
>
Michael Kors Outlet vs. Retail: Differences, Quality & Price 2024

It contains affiliate links and Extrabux will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on Extrabux links.

Michael Kors Outlet vs. Retail: Differences, Quality & Price 2024

Michael Kors is a popular luxury brand in the world today! In many ways, Michael Kors acts as a precursor to, and bridge between the super-exclusive couture labels of Europe and the sportier, casual-wear focused brands from the US.Michael Kors bags have reached a level of ubiquity and fame that rivals the likes of Coach and Louis Vuitton. The brand is now available around the world, including boutiques, department stores, and discount outlets. What's the differences between Michael Kors Outlet and Retail?Is Michael Kors outlet online authentic? Why are Michael Kors outlets cheaper? How can you tell a real Michael Kors outlet bag? In this comparasion guide, I will tell you the answers.

Cover Photo:michaelkors.com

Michael Kors Brand Origin and History

Michael Kors is a world-renowned, award-winning designer of luxury accessories and ready- to-wear. His namesake company, established in 1981, currently produces a range of products under his signature Michael Kors Collection, MICHAEL Michael Kors and Michael Kors Mens labels.These products include accessories, footwear, watches, jewelry, women's and men's ready- to-wear, wearable technology, eyewear and a full line of fragrance products.

The MICHAEL Michael Kors line was launched in 2004, joining the original Michael Kors Collection label. The MICHAEL Michael Kors line includes women's handbags and shoes as well as women's ready-to-wear apparel. What is the difference between Michael Kors and Michael Michael Kors？As the positioning of a lower tiered line, Michael by Michael Kors, into a global lifestyle brand seems a distinctly different brand proposition and one that is, at odds with the couture line. This lifestyle brand is designed and merchandised for a different and younger customer who likely has never seen, heard of, or cared about the Michael Kors collection or its understated, classic American positioning and style. Focusing on ready-to-wear pieces, accessories and shoes, this range is infused with trending elements and an urban-luxe finish making for perfect, luxurious everyday companions. Meanwhile, the mainline focuses on runway collections as well as perfumery and watches.

The brand is now available in 4,133 locations around the world, including boutiques, department stores, and discount outlets. That compares with 2,913 stores at the beginning of 2013. Currently, Kors has Collection boutiques in New York, Beverly Hills, Palm Beach, Chicago, and Southampton. In the U.S, his women's runway collection, labeled Michael Kors Collection, is sold at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and numerous specialty stores. Michael Kors Collection is also carried at the brand's stores in London, Paris, Cannes, Milan, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Seoul.

Source:michaelkors.com

What is the difference between Michael Kors Retail and Outlet?

1. Michael Kors Retail vs Outlet Prices

Michael Kors Retail / Boutique items' Prices

The products sold at retail stores are either at MRP or at a certain percentage of discounts which in general is not that much. On Michael Kors online offcial site, we can see Michael Kors items' prices. Clothing: $31 - $12995; Bags: $58 - $5600; Shoes: $39 - $2900; Watches: $80 - $550.

Michael Kors Outlet items' Prices

Michael Kors outlet stores sell the labels' clothing for cheaper than retail stores, giving the brands a wider audience.

Price tags also may be misleading. Everything at outlet stores seems to be on sale or clearance - but you may not really be getting a bargain. Outlet's Tags often have "compare at" prices telling customers what the retail item would cost at "full price." But the item might have never actually been sold at a retail store or at that higher price, and it might be the price for a higher-quality version of the product. Signs saying "25% off," "50% off," or even bigger markdowns off of the "ticketed" price are common, but the items may have never actually been sold at the ticketed price.

Source:michaelkors.com

Money Saving Tip: If you like online shopping, don't forget to sign up at Extrabux！(What is Extrabux) , then you can enjoy up to 30+% cashback on your purchase from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus! Student Benefits：As long as you are a student at school, you can get a free whole year long VIP Card worth $199.

2. Michael Kors Retail vs Outlet Different Target Customers

Michael Kors Retail's Customers

Michael Kors positions itself as a luxury brand with “innate sense of glamour and the unfailing eye for timeless chic”. Michael Kors target customers ranging from 25 to 55 years old, with annual income between $100,000 and $250,000. Kors customer includes the working women, housewives and also the younger generation. Since Michael Kors is a well-known face of the brand and is a famous celebrity, the brand is popular among the celebrities. The celebs love him as much as they love the brand.

Kors' further growth strategy includes targeting a younger, affluent demographic, often overlooked by luxury brands.The MICHAEL Michael Kors collection is the mid-tier line between the runway and MICHAEL collection.

Michael Kors Outlet's Customers

Michael Kors Outlet stores sell the labels' clothing for cheaper than department stores, giving the brands a wider audience. An outlet store offers shoppers lower prices and everyday bargains.

Source:michaelkors.com

3. Michael Kors Retail vs Outlet Quality

Michael Kors Retail items' Quality

Michael Kors can be accredited with bringing luxury fashion to American high streets and homes with a simple focus on quality, uncluttered and uncomplicated styling. With a focus on clean lines and quality materials, Kors' clothes and accessories are famed for a simplicity that allows the individual to incorporate their own sense of style.

Michael Kors material and craftsmanship ultimately leads to a quality product. Michael Kors bags are made from the finest Saffiano leather (originally patented by Prada). Saffiano leather does not tan the leather itself but applies a coating that you see as the colour of the bag. It features a distinctive opaque resin finish (in multiple colours) that creates a famous cross-hatch waterproof pattern that is extremely scratch resistant. The treatment can lead to an (intentionally) synthetic-looking product, but one that is extremely sturdy and offers great protection against the elements. It's possible to determine whether a bag is an authentic Michael Kors from this pattern, the inclusion of one-piece side panels, snug rubber edging and a weightier feel.

Michael Kors Outlet items' Quality

Michael Kors outlet stores primarily sell different, little lower-quality products than the regular retail stores, made specifically for the outlet to be sold at lower prices. While outlet stores used to sell overstock or past-season items at discount prices, today's outlets instead mostly sell products made or bought specifically for the outlet - with the designers and vendors creating familiar-looking items at a lower cost and quality. While being available in more stores can drive profits in the short-term, it can also hurt the brand.

Source:michaelkors.com

4. How to Tell the Difference Between Michael Kors Boutique Items and Made-For-Factory Outlet?

Tip 1: Boutique apparel has a different tag.

Michael Kors “Lifestyle” line apparel (i.e. the non-couture line that sells in mall boutiques) features a price tag that has been modified post-production. The tag was produced with only one listed price. At some point afterwards, the reduced price you see in the outlet was added to the tag after the fact, either with a sticker or pen .

MFF clothing has a price tag that advertised two prices from the get-go. The tag will list a "Retail Price" with a dollar figure next to it. This is followed by a second line that says “Our Price” with a reduced rate. This may well be marked down further in the future, but the key to look for is whether or not the two prices were listed from the beginning.

Tip 2: Ask the sales reps.

The staff at designer outlet shops are informed and won't try to deceive you if ask outright about the origins of their products.

A good way to get the conversation started is simply to ask if they have a section of merchandize designed for the boutiques. Outlet stores generally put the botique items together - often in the Clearance section.

Tip 3: The interior logos on boutique handbags.

Some review said that the interior lining of MK bags made for the boutiques repeat the classic “MK” logo - the letters “MK” in a small circle. However, not all retail bags have the MK in a circle for the lining. My Fulton shoulder bag only has MK in the lining, but not the circle, but It's a retail bag.

The Outlet bag linings have Micheal in smaller script, and Kors in larger script over/under the name Michael. Some of the newer retail bags have lining that say Michael Kors in the same size script, but in line/right next to each other.

Tip 4: Head to the “Clearance” section.

A high proportion of merchandise in Michael Kors outlet’s clearance sections are discontinued or out-of-season products from the boutiques. This method of merchandising is common in other outlets as well.

Source:michael kors ins

5. Michael Kors Outlet store adresses

Michael Kors doesn't have outlet store online. Michael Kors store or outlet locations all over the world.

Michael Kors Outlet - Opens 10AM, In-store shopping·In-store pickup

Eg:

Central Valley, NY · In the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets · (845) 928-4768

Deer Park, NY · In Tanger Outlets Deer Park · (631) 242-0370

Oklahoma City, OK · In Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City · (405) 440-0217

Tulsa, OK · In Woodland Hills Mall · (918) 252-0570

You can find more Michael Kors outlet store near you by google map.

Source:michael kors ins

Conclusion

If what you care about most is getting quality clothing that's a great deal, you're better off waiting for MK sales at retail than outlet shopping. That means braving the violent crowds on Black Friday or Boxing Day, signing up for retailer mailing lists to get periodic coupons, and patiently scouring clearance racks.

However, if your priorities are less about bargain-hunting and more about simply having clothes that are stylish, comfortable, and affordable, MK outlets are still a great choice - they offer a lot of wardrobe flexibility year-round (not just during sale periods), and they can be a great way of developing a variety of different outfits without breaking the bank.

Where to buy Michael Kors cheapest?

michaelkors.com (10-12% cashback)

theluxurycloset.com（6-7% cashback）

neimanmarcus.com （2.5-3% cashback）

Second-hand MK

vestiairecollective.com (5-6% cashback)

I'm sure you have found your answers! Sign up at Extrabux, then you can enjoy up to 12% cashback on your order!

Fossil Outlet vs. Retail: Differences, Quality & Price 2024

Old Navy Outlet vs. Retail: Differences, Quality & Price 2024

Under Armour (UA) Outlet vs. Retail Store: Differences, Quality & Price 2024

How to Choose the Right Burberry Trench Coat for Women: Which One is the Best to Invest in 2024?

Under Armour (UA) Outlet vs. Retail Store: Differences, Quality & Price 2024