Michael Kors Outlet Shopping: How to Tell the Difference Between Boutique Items and Made-For-Factory Merchandise

While I still have a lot to learn about Michael Kors, I have picked up key insights to empower an MK outlet treasure hunt. Here are four simple, practical tips to distinguish products designed for a boutique from the products that were designed to be sold in an outlet. (More on boutique vs. factory)

TIP 1: The interior logos on boutique handbags repeat the MK circle logo. 

The MK logo is repeated throughout the interior
of a boutique bag

This simple tell makes outlet shopping so easy - and it will also empower you when purchasing merchandise second-hand or online.  

The interior lining of handbags made for the boutiques repeat the classic “MK” logo. By this I mean just the letters “MK” in a small circle. Here’s an example from my own handbag purchased full-price at a mall boutique (right). 

"Michael Kors" spelled out on two lines signifies
a made-for-outlet bag 

In contrast, made for factory bags (MFF) repeat a different logo in their interior that spells out “Michael KORS” in full, as in the bag on the left.  

This logo is on two lines (“Michael” in smaller letters on the top line and “KORS” in larger letters on the bottom). Here is an example of the outlet bag logo. 

Boutique tag marked
down post-production

TIP 2:  Boutique apparel has a different tag. 

Michael Kors “Lifestyle” line apparel (i.e. the non-couture line that sells in mall boutiques) features a price tag that has been modified post-production. By that I mean, the tag was produced with only one listed price. At some point afterwards, the reduced price you see in the outlet was added to the tag after the fact, either with a sticker or pen (see image on left). 

MFF clothing has a price tag that advertised two prices from the get-go. The tag will list a "Retail Price" with a dollar figure next to it. This is followed by a second line that says “Our Price” with a reduced rate. This may well be marked down further in the future, but the key to look for is whether or not the two prices were listed from the beginning. 

TIP 3: Ask the sales reps. 

In my experience, the staff at designer outlet shops are informed and won’t try to deceive you if ask outright about the origins of their products. 

A good way to get the conversation started is simply to ask if they have a section of merchandize designed for the boutiques.  Outlet stores generally put the botique items together - often in the Clearance section, which brings me to my last tip...

TIP 4: Head to the “Clearance” section.  

A high proportion of merchandise in Michael Kors outlet’s clearance sections are discontinued or out-of-season products from the boutiques. This method of merchandising is common in other outlets as well, including Coach and Kate Spade. 

Want to learn more about buying MK bags? A good article on distinguishing an authentic Michael Kors bag from a fake is available here.