USA shopping

[Mrmcgregorsrake]

Which beauty/ clothing products are worth buying in Florida I'm looking for cheaper. Or stuff you can't get in uk . I've heard Mac is cheaper but not sure if this is still the case . Sorry if this has been done to death .

[Lightbulbon]

Id like to know this too, specifically ate kids holiday clothes/trainers/sunglasses cheaper there?

[andadietcoke]

Pharmacy - Maybelline Full & Soft mascara (discontinued in the UK, best day to day mascara I've used), Crest Whitestrips (not available in the UK)

Sephora - Fresh cosmetics sugar lemon body lotion (not available in the UK), Tarte (much cheaper), Kat Von D liquid lipstick (not available in the UK). I stock up on Sunday Riley skincare too as is a bit cheaper. Clinique too.

[andadietcoke]

Clothes - Levis are loads cheaper and designer clothes (DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren type brands) but only really cheap at the outlet malls. Have a look for Simon malls near where you're staying.

[StrawberrytallCake]

7 for all mankind is less than half price compared to here and their jeans are great - this is at Vineland outlet stalls

Classic Burberry trench coats are also much cheaper. I didn't find much make up I couldn't get here or at the airport for the same price.

Nike & Gap also brilliant prices there and target has ridiculously cheap clothes for children like Disney tshirts and swimming costumes.

[CiderwithBuda]

We are going in July. My sis is coming and has already done her shopping list which apparently is basically the entire contents of Sephora!

I love a good mooch around Sephora - I like getting stuff you can't get here.

We always hit Target first. DH hates shopping usually so stocks up on tshirts and shorts. I usually buy some sports wear and toiletries etc.

DS used to like the clothes but is a fussy almost 15 year old now so will prob be more into the outlet designer stores. Trainers are usually a good buy.

If you are bringing presents back for people Target is much cheaper for Disney tshirts etc. I usually buy for nieces and nephews.

[Mrmcgregorsrake]

Thankyou I'm going to make a list now of your suggestions . We are staying in Orlando . Is Sephora within a mall or is it a place on its own ?

[BubsAndMoo]

Sephora Sephora Sephora. Love it. I got makeup there by Nars, Tarte, Becca, Kat Von D, Bite, Marc Jacobs, all cheaper than UK/not available in UK. Mac is cheaper too although not by masses but still worth it IMO. Also check out Living Proof hair stuff, haven't seen that over here, and I hit Walgreens up big time for over the counter meds you can't get in the UK- mainly GI & sleeping meds, and funky themed band aids (like Star Wars ).

[carrie74]

I usually buy jeans (I like Lucky Brand, but make sure to get the smallest size you can squeeze into); trainers; US brands (so yes to MAC, I think it was about £6 for an eyeshadow pot); uggs; sportswear, J Crew, Gap, Old Navy & B Republic.

The outlets are a good bet, and look out for sales in normal stores too, you may get a better bargain (and often there's more off at the till).

Take as little as possible, and bring an empty suitcase (or 2, or buy there, often much better value). I buy all the kids' summer clothes while in Florida when we go over Easter.

[Onsera3]

Cosmetics are cheaper definitely. Drugstores have good selection and nail polishes cheaper.

MAC is definitely cheaper. If you are in Orlando you want to go to the Premuim Outlets malls. There are two and you can hit up both. Go to the 'Cosmetics Company Store' and here you will find all the Lauder brands (Estée, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Clinique) even cheaper still. They only have selected stuff so if you need something particular you can go to the dept store after.

Victoria's Secret outlet is very good. Also shoes will be found cheaply.

Clothes I don't think are that worth going crazy for in States.

The Sephora sets are where you really save money. You'll need to go to a regular mall to find Sephora.

[StrawberrytallCake]

When you go to the outlet mall make sure you go to the information desk, you can buy a discount brochure for around $5-10 which will get you between 5-25% discount on top of prices!

[BabCNesbitt]

Seconding Target. I love the place! I seem to remember seeing Pixi products in Target when I was there over Xmas, including the Glow Lotion for about $15 or so.

[Waydugo]

We found a really seriously cheap Tommy Hilfiger outlet on the

[Waydugo]

Ooops posted too soon. On the 192. Got a nice jacket there for about £13 and t shirts were £8. Lake Buena Vista outlet is good as well.
Be careful with Gap outlet though as I've bought stuff in there that was cheaper at Gap in the malls.
I definitely think clothes are a good buy. The quality of the fabric is miles better and they just stay nicer for longer.

[BubsAndMoo]

Ulta is good for cosmetics too, and they have a few brands that Sephora doesn't like Lorac.

[Lululooselips]

There's a Sephora at the Florida mall and mall at millenia, some JC Penney stores have Sephora in them too.

Florida mall, millenia, lake buena vista outlets and premium outlets all have coupon books that will make shopping cheaper. Simon malls charge for the coupon book so print out an Orlando magicard or pick one up from the visitor centre

[homebythesea]

Things like Hollister and Abercrombie are often way cheaper than here- same $ as £ to start with plus discounts. Best I had were Hollister t shirts for $7!

[homebythesea]

Also handbags are $ for £ - Michael Kors tote for under $300 would be £300 here

[bojorojo]

Most American brands are cheaper. We used to buy A &F for the children. DH loves Cole Hahn shoes. It is fun just looking around shops for a bit to see what you can find. Some brands do not export to the uk so they are also worth a look but you cannot do price comparisons. Yes to jeans.

[dogdaydisaster]

We're just back, was fab.

Teens love bath and bodyworks (me too)

In Target, Wallmart, CVS - good brands for make up are wet and wild, milani and physicians formula. I love picking up random things I've not seen here.

I bought a lot

[Mrs9C]

Bath & Body works would be my first stop! Then I'd probably return there every day

[WoodleyPixie]

American brands such as hollister Abercrombie are cheaper. In the outlets Ralph Lauren was cheaper.

We found better deals in Florida mall than the outlets either end of international drive.

Sephora is in Florida mall. I would say miss out on the outlet shopping and head to Florida mall for regular shops and millennia mall for higher end.

Gap is not worth the saving as in the uk there are so many discount codes it often works out more expensive in the USA. However if you like gap take a look in old navy.
Children's place sell lovely kids clothing as do Gymboree.

Teenage dc like Tilly's. It's a skate wear shop and had good offers on.

Really check up on pricing in the uk and what discounts are available. Eg my sister brought a Michael kors bag but it was cheaper in Costco here she was disappointed.

[Anna275]

I'm an American living in the UK and I definitely have a list of things I like to buy when I go back home. Outlet malls can be good (majority of Simon Malls are regular malls though so just be aware of that) but you have to be careful. Brands like J Crew and Gap do have factory stores but the majority of the merchandise is not sold in normal stores and isn't the same quality. Nordstrom Rack and Neiman Marcus Last Call are great for last season's designer brands. When I lived in DC there was a Last Call that would get shoe shipments from Bergdorf Goodman in NYC and there were always Manolos, Jimmy Choos, etc on clearance. Just stay away from the NM/Nordstrom store brands because they're not worth the money.

As someone else mentioned, Ulta is a good alternative to Sephora. They sell drugstore brands and some department store brands like Clinique, but you won't find premium stuff like Chanel there.

Before I moved to the UK I asked on an Expat website what I should buy and almost unanimously everyone said bedding. I never would have thought of this if so many people hadn't mentioned it, but high quality high thread count sheets are so much cheaper in the US, and there is a lot more variety in patterns. So if you're in need of new bedding I suggest picking some up and bringing it home in one of those vacuum sealed space saver bags.

[KitKats28]

The cheapest Hollister is at Altamonte Springs Mall, about a half hour drive. It's way from the tourist areas and they had better reductions.