This past Saturday, I took a spontaneous trip to Woodbury Commons for a little retail therapy. We got there in the afternoon—probably not the wisest move on a sunny weekend—but it was a last-minute plan and, truthfully, I wasn’t aiming for a shopping spree. Still, it turned into a bit of an adventure.

Let’s talk crowds: intense. And with the heat? Even more reason to be picky about where I was willing to wait. Some stores had lines stretching out like they were giving things away for free (they weren’t). SKIMS had one of the longest, which I skipped without hesitation—never been a fan of the brand anyway. Prada also had a crowd, but honestly, the hype is feeling overdone lately. I’ve noticed the quality has taken a hit—especially now that so many of their bags are made in China. Not worth the time or price, even at outlet discounts. Funny how Gucci used to have the longest line, but this time there were none.

One store that had a surprisingly efficient line was On Cloud. People were buying sneakers in bulk like they were stocking up for the apocalypse. I get the appeal—they’re light and trendy—but I’ve been loyal to Hoka for a while now. More support, more comfort, and (dare I say) better style. My Hokas also last longer than my husband’s on clouds.

We popped into Anine Bing too, but everything was still full retail. No thanks. You can find better deals online—Saks, Shopbop, and even seasonal promotions have better prices if you’re patient.

Now for the highlight: Fendi. Easily my favorite stop of the day. The store had 40% off, which is rare for their accessories. I scored a pair of sunglasses that I’ve been eyeing for a while, and I spent a little time admiring their shoe section—Fendi always delivers when it comes to quality and pricing at outlets.

I also stopped by Celine, where I’ve started a slow but steady collection. I didn’t go big this time, but I did pick up a small gold necklace to kick things off. It’s simple, elegant, and wearable every day. I’m already saving for one of their bags next—something timeless and clean.

Loewe was a mixed bag (pun intended). They can be hit or miss depending on inventory, and this weekend was more of a miss in the bag department. But I did snag a pair of earrings at 40% off, so not a total loss.

Other honorable mentions were the Tumi store (scored a few deals- will be separate blog), and Lululemon (they recently moved to a bigger space). Prices as Lululemon aren’t that great, but I did get a pair of shorts.

Overall, Woodbury was its usual mix of chaos and hidden gems. If you’re willing to brave the crowds and skip the hype lines, there are definitely some great finds to be had. Just maybe go earlier in the day—or better yet, wait for a weekday, which I typically do.