Where to Get Fashion Bargains in Ft. Lauderdale

Famous as the setting for the film “Where the Boys Are,” this city also can be thought of as “where the buys are.”

Ft. Lauderdale and its suburbs (Plantation, Lauderdale Lakes and Hallandale) are a bargain-hunter’s haven, with several discount shopping districts. They are, however, a good distance from each other, so a car is necessary.

Car rental rates vary significantly, so shop around. Among the best is General, $77.99 a week and unlimited free miles. Call toll-free (800) 327-7607.

Drive first to the Lord & Taylor outlet (70-67 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation). It is the store in which Lord & Taylor sells its surplus stock.

Selections on Racks

Men’s and women’s dressy and casual clothing, accessories and home furnishings six months to a year old are fabulous bargains. New merchandise also is sold, with the biggest selection on the racks in July and February.

Items are still labeled, and most bear original price tags--marked down at least 50%. For example, a Christian Dior woman’s suit with short, double-breasted, belted jacket and fitted shirt in navy blue wool is reduced from $399 to $99. Bert Newman cotton suits in sky blue are reduced from $180 to $70. London Fog women’s raincoats cost $89.

Good News for Men

Suede skirts, full-cut and calf-length, are reduced from $330 to $99. Patterned hand-knit sweaters with the Liz Claiborne label cost $65 and Liz Sport tailored slacks are $30. Kenar’s classy black wool dress is $89 and A. J. Bart’s stunning red taffeta floor-length gown is $70, reduced from $195.

Men also can do well. Heavy-weight cotton sport shirts in blue or red and Earl plaid flannel shirts are $15. Cotton sports jackets in solid colors or plaids cost $56, reduced from $115, and Barry Brickson yellow trousers are $50, reduced from $100. Cotton dress shirts cost $15 and up, with Ralph Lauren’s line at $30. Also business suits, as well as ties, socks and underwear.

Henn’s T-Bird Swap Shop (3291 W. Sunrise Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale), founded 26 years ago, fills 87 acres of land with bargains and fun.

It has hundreds of outdoor and tent-covered stalls and a farmers’ market, as well as a 100,000 square foot air-conditioned warehouse that has been converted into shops, a video-game arcade, an amusement rides area and a food hall. The Swap Shop, open daily, has 1,800 to 2,200 vendors selling all sorts of treasures and/or junk.

Tooled leather cowboy boots sell from $20, T-shirts (3 for $15), quilted leather handbags with chain straps are from $12, deck shoes in a rainbow of colors are $17 and white leather oxfords with crepe soles $14.

Men’s leather or snakeskin belts (from $7), L. A. Gear pink and white high-top athletic shoes ($32), neon-colored nail polish ($1.25), women’s silver-colored loafers ($10) and wooden key rings with your name, carved while you wait ($3).

Also sold are beaded kid-size T- shirts ($8) with matching leggings ($5) or tutus ($6), 14-carat gold necklaces $9.95) and 14-carat gold chain hoop earrings ($20) or initial charms ($20), fragrances simulating Poison or Joy or other name labels ($3 for five small bottles), elaborate bows and other hair ornaments ($3) and sunglasses with mirrored lenses ($5).

Periodic Concerts

Other interesting items include two-piece jogging suits in neon colors ($15 for the set), 28-foot spiral telephone extension cords in a dozen colors ($3), cordless telephones (from $40) and phones shaped like beer cans ($20) or high-heeled shoes ($25), cassette tapes by popular artists (from $2) and recorders (from $18).

If you get tired browsing, you can watch clowns, mimes and jugglers (weekends) or free kiddy shows (Saturdays at about 4 p.m.). The Swap Shop also periodically presents concerts and entertainers. Tickets cost $5; call (305) 791-SWAP for schedules.

In Lauderdale Lakes (northwest of Ft. Lauderdale), N.W. 19th Street is lined with discount outlets and small factories.

Jessica’s Hosiery (No. 3681) sells Bali lingerie, famous brand men’s and women’s at 50% off, Softouch leotards ($15) and tights ($10), pantyhose in beige or a variety of colors (six pairs for $10) or lace (six pairs for $22).

Elsie Gorin (No. 3887) has Oscar de la Renta cotton leisure suits ($35), shorts ($8), multipocketed safari shirts ($10), cotton sweaters ($13) and sequined evening dresses ($225).

Cancellations Unlimited (No. 3907) sells men’s Bally, Pierre Cardin and Scotch shoes for $20 and up, as well as women’s Perry Ellis, Casadei, Shoe Biz, Pancaldi and Anne Klein dress shoes and loafers for $30 and up.

A & J Menswear (No. 3927) stocks cotton trousers ($28) in pink, yellow, lavender and coral, plus Oleg Cassini dress shirts ($17), Phillipe Gabriel tussah silk jackets ($159), Pierre Cardin terry cloth shorts ($17) and Stanley Blacker navy blazers ($150).

Bedspreads & Draperies, Plus (No. 3947) has queen-size sheet sets for $32 (twin sets for $17), as well as Fieldcrest ($3 to $6) and Moonstone ($10-$13) appliqued towels and dish towels (99 cents).

More Discount Outlets

Shoe Bazaar (No. 3993) features Joan & David pumps ($39), Calvin Klein sport sandals ($30) and other attractive women’s footwear, plus Bostonian and French Shriner men’s styles at about 25% off list. Men’s alligator loafers are $199 and Sebago docksiders are $59.

Nearby, Oakland Park Boulevard has more discount outlets: Software City’s (No. 3700) buys include ProBasketball ($56) and ProFootball ($20) computer games, plus programs such as Word Perfect ($350, reduced from $495) and Typewriter ($32).

A. J. Fashions (No. 3718) sells men’s and women’s casual clothes, including Diane Von Furstenberg cotton slacks ($4.50), Yves Saint Laurent cotton jackets ($19), Braxton jeans ($26), Sands Point shorts ($7) and terrific kids’ togs.

The Lingerie Factory (No. 3734) has Christian Dior panties ($8), Lily of France strapless bras ($8), Miss Elaine white lace robes ($36) and red lace teddies ($15), plus Papillon cotton nighties ($22) and other excellent buys in sleep and underwear.

The Corning Factory Store (No. 3746) serves Revere stainless covered skillets (10-inch, $9), Pyrex baking dishes ($6), Visions 13-piece cookware sets ($89), Corning Ware covered casseroles ($13), Corelle dinnerware sets ($70, service for six), pretty mugs ($1) and long-stemmed glasses (99 cents).

Carter’s Childrenswear (No. 3766) sells clothes for newborns through six large for girls and seven for boys, including thermal underwear sets ($4), sleepers with pink or blue elephants ($6), fitted crib quilts ($12), cotton dresses ($10) and pantsuits ($14), plus School Mate book bags ($10) and rubber duckies ($3).

Eel, Snakeskin Shoes

In Hallandale (south of Ft. Lauderdale), N.E. 1st and 2nd avenues, nicknamed Schmatta Row or Fashion Avenue, have shops with discount men’s and women’s attire and personal accessories.

On 1st Avenue, The Elegant Eel (No. 120) sells attache cases ($490), notebooks ($45), belts (from $28), purses (from $100) and shoes (from $65) in eel skin or snakeskin.

Sheila’s (No. 122) has stylish women’s Levante washable silk jumpsuits ($80), Marc D’Alcy silk shirts ($35), Hanson Sport silk separates (about $50) and Metropole mix and match outfits (about $80).

B ‘n’ B (No. 320) features linen shorts ($11) in many colors, Kenar linen tops ($62), mix-and-match silk separates (50% off list) and cotton knit dresses neatly gathered at the knees ($60).