Nordstrom’s shoe clearance sale is underway, and we’re liking these simple open-toes by Stuart Weitzman, available in both “cognac tartaruga” (pictured) and navy patent. Like the button detail, like the patent, like the general look. The shoes were $335, now marked to $199.90 at Nordstrom (lots of sizes still left). Stuart Weitzman ‘Dabba’ Pump

N.B. Open-toe shoes will not be appropriate in every office — know your office!

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I’m always a fan of Marc by Marc Jacobs bags, and this lovely satchel is no different — LOVE the print on the inside, the numerous pockets, and the size.  I’m normally not a brown-purse kind of gal, but the caramel color strikes me as just right.  It’s $369 (was $528) at ShopBop.  Marc by Marc Jacobs Damisi Patchwork Leola Satchel

It’s time for end-of-season clearance at Naturalizer — including markdowns on these fabulous zebra-striped shoes.  Love the walkable two-inch heel, the conservative buckle paired with the zebra print, and the great padding inside the shoe.  It’s also available in black leather and a great “saddle tan” leather.  Was $79, now $39.99.  Naturalizer Lockhart

(Pssst – if you’re a fan of Naturalizer, check out the sale going on today at 6pm.com, as well — this shoe isn’t among the sale items, but lots of other fun things.  The sale ends 8/6.)

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Reader J writes in to suggest this fabulous bag, noting “Saw this bag while checking out Nordstrom’s anniversary sale this morning and thought I would share. I think it’s a great work bag– the red is an eye-catcher, and the black is classic.” Love! A friend of ours owns a few Brahmin bags, and we can vouch for the quality — they’ve held up really well for her. They seem to be sold out of black at the moment, but we really like the yellow — it’s a great, sunny pop of color for either spring or fall. Currently $216, it’ll be $325 after the sale.  Brahmin ‘Manning – Louise’ Satchel

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

Color us psyched: the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is on!! Tons of pieces from the fall collections are on sale — the items will return to their regular prices on August 2.  Today, we’re liking this simple cardigan — we like the range of colors offered, the three-quarter-length sleeves, and the floral appliques on the shoulder. Normally $68, it’s priced at $44.90 during the Anniversary Sale.  Caslon® ‘Flower Bouquet’ Cardigan

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line.
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We always forget about Johnston & Murphy for women’s shoes, but they consistently have some really cute heels.  Today, we’re liking these “cognac” platform Mary Janes — we like the tiered look to the leather, as well as the color.  The price isn’t bad, either — was $228, now $89 — but if you buy two pairs of shoes you get the second pair 50% off.  EMILY HIGH-HEEL PLATFORM MARY JANE

A happy lunch tote can make you feel downright excited to eat the lunch you brought, can’t it?  Today we’re liking this adorable purple/orange/red tote from Built NY — and it’s even on sale!  Was $24.99, now $19.99 with the eBags summer sale (20% off everything). Built NY Cooler Tasty Lunch Tote Pattern Nolita Stripe

In the “sometimes a good sale is a curse” department, Endless is having an amazing sale on bags right now (ends today), including bags like Cole Haan, botkier, Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade, and more.  Four separate Cole Haan bags are currently hurtling their way through the mail to me via free shipping.  (Three are going back, I swear.)  But:  Yes.  Good sale.  One of the bags I bought was this Cole Haan bag, which I’ve lusted after in the department store — supremely soft, nice size for when you don’t need to carry papers or notebooks, and can go from work to weekend without much problem. Was $428, marked to $235.40 (in black and red); price drops to 164.78 with 30% special offer. (It only shows up at checkout!) Also available in gray (for $428). Cole Haan Prudence Small Soft Tote
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For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.

Amazingly, it won’t be summer for a few weeks still — and yet we’re digging this seersucker suit.  We like the pieces together, but would probably wear them just as much apart:  the blazer on top of a navy or black sheath dress, or the seersucker pants with a white blazer and white tee.  The suit is on sale, also — it was $280, now $140 in sizes 2-18.  It’s also available in plus sizes 14W-24W, on sale for $160.  Tahari Suit, Seersucker Jacket and Pants

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This weekend — spurred by the beautiful weather and the fact that I haven’t been shopping for far too long — the hubs and I trekked to Woodbury Commons, a Chelsea Premium outlet mall about 50 miles north of NYC.  The whole trip was doomed — we arrived too late, couldn’t find parking, then separated before realizing both cell phones were dying.  At the end of the day, the hubs had lost his sunglasses — and my only purchase of the day was napkins from Crate & Barrel.  Oh, the humility — it was as if I were an amateur.  Learn from our mistakes…

If you’re planning any big shopping expedition — outlet mall, regular mall the day of big sales — you need a strategy, and a commitment to execute it. Roughly ninety percent of a successful trip is due to a solid plan.

Planning

1.  Be aware of bad timing – If it is one of the first nice weekends of the season (or a big sale), plan for crowds — plan to get there first thing in the morning. (The stores will be neater then anyway, and it will be easier to enjoy the shopping experience.)

2. Go online for deals — almost every outlet mall has a “VIP coupon book” that you can get for free, as well as store-specific coupons.  The only hitch is that you have to go to a specific spot in order to pick up the coupon book.

3.  Print a map of the place if you can. Know where you need to go in order to pick up the coupon book, and try to plan your route — where will you park first?  Which stores are your priority?  Which stores might net a heavy or awkward purchase, requiring a trip to your car?  (Pictured:  map of Woodbury Commons.)

4. Know the difference between a “factory store” and an outlet store – an outlet store has merchandise from previous seasons, at a discounted price.  A “factory store” (sometimes also called a “company store”) may only have merchandise that was created particularly for that store — i.e., stuff that was never sold in the stores.  This can be good, in that the top or dress will be more scarce — but you should keep the difference in mind when you’re assessing each piece, because the quality may be different from what you normally associate with that brand.  Furthermore — it helps to know your brands, and know what a good “sales” price is elsewhere, particularly on the Internet or at a discount store like TJ Maxx or DSW.  This will help you assess whether the price at the outlet mall is a good price, or if you should just use the opportunity to suss out your size.

5.  Assess your gear – particularly your handbag.  Are you wearing one that is comfortable to carry all day, along with any purchases?  Will it still be comfortable to carry if you find a ton of clothes to try on and sling them over your arm?  (For our $.02, we prefer a bag with a shoulder strap for just that reason.)

6.  Charge your cell phones, especially if you are planning the trek with someone else.  It is very likely that you will get separated.

7.  Pack some water, if possible, to keep in your car — if you are particular about food, you may also want to pack a small snack or two.

Once you Arrive

1.  Keep a running total in your head of how much you’ve spent – and stop spending when it gets too high.

2.  Drink water frequently to keep your energy up.

3.  Take notes. If it’s your first time at this mall, try to remember which stores are particularly good, and for what.  Sometimes there are surprises — such as the great lingerie frequently for sale at Off Fifth.

Readers, any other tips for surviving a trip to an outlet mall?  Any victories at the racks that still stand out?