Good Buys Tailored for Rich Shoppers

Most of the best deals I have found over years of bargain shopping were uncovered in small shops where you deal with the owner and the overhead is low.

The best bargain hunters of all--those with more than a few bucks in the bank--have found Velazco’s to be one of those little treasures.

Specializing in custom apparel for men, owner Fred Velazco has designed and tailored clothing for many celebrities over the years, including former Lakers Coach Pat Riley, and Magic Johnson, once voted best dressed man by GQ magazine.

Custom-made clothes are not cheap of course, but Velazco’s prices are better than most. Figure $1,400 for a suit, which includes $200 for the fabric. Most custom tailors in town charge anywhere from $1,800-$5,000.

If custom is too expensive, Velazco’s has a small and choice inventory of ready-made suits and sports coats that would retail for $500-$700 but are tagged here at $275-$420.

There also are some excellent deals on piece goods, such as cashmere, mohair and other fine fabrics at cost or below. A 2 1/2-yard piece of cashmere, for example, that would retail for about $2,000 was marked at $500.

If any or all of the above would break the budget, how about a custom-made shirt or two, on sale right now for $70-$110? Yes, even the rich folks enjoy their bargains.

Velazco’s, 317 1/2 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 659-5606.

Weekend Super Sale: Another high-end bargain source is Master Design where the focus is on the woman executive. Starting Saturday, they will take 30%-75% off the original price. Some suits that sold for $850 are $212.

Master Design, 383 Van Ness Ave., #1605, Torrance. (310) 787-6770.

For more bargains visit BargainsLA.com.