Le Chateau Outlet Opens the Door to Upscale French Fashions
This we hope will be a trendsetter: an upscale Beverly Hills retailer with an outlet just beyond the posh neighborhood.
Several years ago when bargain shoppers headed for downtown Los Angeles in search of deals, Gucci opened an outlet for discounted goods on Canon Drive. Unfortunately, it didn’t last.
But seven months ago, a French manufacturer with a women’s apparel store at 314 N. Beverly Drive opened an outlet in the Pico/Robertson area.
The inventory at Le Chateau Outlet Store includes markdowns from the Beverly Drive store plus items made in Paris specifically for the outlet. The markdowns may be last season’s merchandise reduced 40% to 80% off the original price.
One three-piece suit (jacket, skirt and pants) that sold for $650 was tagged at $398. Some silk blouses that were $70 were reduced to $30, and the day of my visit they were deducting another 50%. A shirt once tagged at $70 was selling for $15.
Just about everything in this pleasant shop is at least half off the original price. A black lace dress went from $189 to $95, some summer rayon dresses that were $79 are now $39, and linen skirts that sold for $109 are moving quickly at $49.
The selection of accessories is not extensive but the quality is good. A shopper could save $20 on a pair of Donald Pliner suede boots, and the price on a Nicole Miller satchel handbag that read $149 was scratched out and replaced with $75. Gucci sunglasses were a nice deal at 20% to 30% off the original price.
The designs here could be described as tasteful classics with a contemporary flair. Sizes run from 4 to 14.
Le Chateau Outlet Store, 1499 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 203-0650. Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5:30 p.m. All major credit cards.
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Weekend Super Sale: There’s more summer weather in store and you can make inexpensive additions to your wardrobe at the Cotton USA Parking Lot Sale. Irregulars and seconds sell at ridiculous prices here, such as $5 for separates, $10 for regular cotton dresses and $7.50 and $15 for the cotton linens. Sizes run small to extra large.
The parking lot is in the rear of the outlet store. Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Cotton USA Factory Outlet, 22559 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills; (818) 225-8725.
