Hides to Go Seek : Not only are price tags drastically cut at Wilson’s sole outlet store, but a small rip can mean a huge bargain on leather.

When a new season is around the corner, what a pleasant feeling it is to have some dazzling out fit, new and just waiting for the first cool and appropriate occasion.

When I stopped to research the new location of Wilson’s Outlet store, my son spotted a silky suede bomber jacket in an elegant shade of coral. The price tag read $49.95, and he crowed, “Hey, I saw this somewhere for $200!” He hasn’t been into this bargain shopping very much, but became a believer instantly. Now that splendid suede is waiting in his closet for the first nippy day of fall.

This new Wilson’s store in Burbank is located in what was a Security Pacific bank and just around the corner from its previous location. A sign in the window screams, “Nothing over $99.99,” which foretells of the bargains, if you’ve priced leather apparel lately.

As you enter, on the left you’ll see the women’s department and will learn just how drastic the price cuts are. Some brightly colored and very supple leather halter tops that were $69.95 are tagged at $19.95 with skirts to match for $29.99 (originally $119.99). So an outfit that was close to $200 can be purchased for $50. Suede shorts in a multitude of colors are $9.99, one-third of the original price.

Most of the inventory at this sole outlet store is made up of close-outs from the 500-plus stores of the Wilson’s chain across the country. It might be merchandise from last season or overruns from the current season, or perhaps some broken sizes from the current line.

There are, however, some racks for damaged goods on the right and in the middle of the men’s department, and it’s these that the seasoned shoppers, looking for a treasure, check out on a regular basis. They might find a $400 leather coat for $50 because of a small rip--it has happened. Some men’s leather pants that originally were selling for $149 were slashed to $29.99 because of a scratch, and a man’s handsome black leather car coat that was $325 is now $99.99, due to a one-inch rip that could easily be covered with a colorful patch of some sort.

In the bins toward the center of the store are accessories--a few scattered handbags, gloves and attache cases--all drastically reduced and always worth checking. I still wish I had picked up the $245 attache case for $39.99, and by not doing so broke one of the cardinal rules for bargain shoppers. Don’t procrastinate--pounce!

Sizes for both men and women run from extra small to extra large.

WHERE TO SHOP

What: Wilson’s Outlet store.

Location: 3117 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa.

Call: (818) 841-7789.