The Fashion-Forward Go to Factory Outlets

Bargain-shoppers know they can find fairly good quality children’s clothes at reasonable prices aJ. Maxx or Marshalls. Sometimes there’s even top designer names on the racks. But finding the very upscale stuff, sold only at pricey boutiques, takes some doing. Usually it means tracking down a factory outlet.

First, let me restate my philosophy that a bargain doesn’t necessarily mean cheap--anyone can buy cheap. You can go to the alley behind Santee in downtown Los Angeles and get a lot of cheap stuff. Unfortunately, it’s often several seasons old or damaged. If you could find an $80,000 Rolls Royce for $40,000, it wouldn’t be cheap, but it definitely would be a bargain.

All of which sets the scene for a factory store in Newbury Park where fashion-forward moms who want more than basic, boxy styles in pink or blue polyester can find clothes for their youngsters, size 0 to 14. This is apparel you will find in the closets of well-heeled children with indulgent relatives.

Marcia’s Rainbow is a label carried worldwide in ultra-chic children’s boutiques that would elicit a “you can’t be serious!” from most of us. An outfit for little Debbie that retails for $360 can become more palpable to some adoring grandmother at $180 wholesale. Tapestry appliques, laces, faux pearls, ribbons, bows and tiny satin roses adorn the denim jacket and skirt, and the matching turtleneck is similarly trimmed.

A two-piece cropped sweat shirt and jeans set wholesales for $52 (double that and then some for the retail price). The sweat shirt has chiffon woven through the hem and is trimmed with silk flowers; the same chiffon is wound around the waist of the acid-washed jeans, and the legs are liberally sprinkled with the same silk flowers. I would find it utterly charming even at $100 plus, and at $52 I’m trying to think what little girl I can buy it for.

Marcia’s designs are sometimes one-of-a-kind. Perhaps the concept was never put into production--the garment was too expensive to make, or the materials too difficult to obtain. Walking down the street, little Debbie could be almost certain of not seeing a duplicate garment, unless it would be on her mom. Two-piece sets of capri-length Lycra pants with coordinating sweat shirts or T-shirts (tops appliqued with the same fabric as pants) are $42 for little missy and $487 for mom. Baskets of like pants or capris and cotton overalls (size 0-7) for $10 make this a deal for any budget.

Marcia’s Rainbow Factory Outlet, 1111 Rancho Conejo Blvd. Suite 201, Newbury Park. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. (805) 375-1414. Cash or check only.