Chicago Premium Outlets
Category: Shopping Shopping Centres Shopping Centres
1650 Premium Outlets BlvdAurora, IL 60502
(630) 585-2200
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10 am - 9 pm
Sun 10 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
140 reviews for Chicago Premium Outlets
Review Highlights
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"The Kenneth Cole store was AMAZING." In 15 reviews -
"Those shoes at Kate Spade." In 11 reviews -
"Some of their awesome stores include." In 76 reviews
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140 reviews in English
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Review from Hina Q.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Decent outlets in the outskirts of Chicago. The first time here is always nice and a surprise to see the different store. Now it is more of a place we come to when we have family or friends visiting from out of town.
You can find some good deals here but you have to look around! Not every store has their latest merchandise.
Some of the better stores, I personally like are:
Coach Outlet
Coach Outlet for mens
Calvin Klein
Lucky Brand Jeans
Guess Accessories
Kitchen Collection
The Cosmetics Company Store
Under Armour
If you come with the family, this is probably one of the better shopping areas to go to (I am speaking from experience!) there is definitely something for everyone to like or love and you don't have to stick together the entire time! We had evereyone with us from a 6 year old to In-laws and everyone had an enjoyable shopping experience!
The only suggestion I have is they need more selection of eateries in the food court! -
Review from Taylor M.
5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I agree with Candice that Aurora outlets have some really old merchandise and they prices are not even discounted that much.
I found that a bunch of the stores were super messy and disorganized which frustrated me and that the sales people did not seem to care about their jobs or the customers. I guess you get what you pay for. The stores that were an exception to this were Coach, Vera Bradley (my reason for coming) and Carters.
I also find it annoying that they did not make enough parking spaces for the shoppers. Every time I have gone, there have been people parked in the grass.
The mall itself is pretty, but the setup seems a little off. I feel like I have to walk in circles to get anywhere... but maybe I have not fully figured out how to navigate this mall.Listed in: Shopping Addictions 101
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Review from Nicole L.
Glendale Heights, IL
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
This outlet mall is ok. It's probably more appealing to people who must own the latest trends and/or brand-name clothing. I'm not one of those people, however, so I only walked away from this place with a single sweater I got on clearance at The Gap. I was happy that the $17 price was further discounted to $12.59 at the register too. I love a good deal, and if I was into clothes I could see really liking this place. As it is, I doubt I'd come here very often.
Visited: February 20, 2012 -
Review from Antionette L.
Aurora, IL
5/24/2012
So I finally made my way to the mall, its been 8 months and my experience was good and somewhat bad. Some of these stores aren't even outlets first of all. I went to journeys to look at these cute Steve maddens and they were the exact same price as fox valley mall, and online. I went into lids to buy a hat for my boyfriend, but never again; the sales staff was so unprofessional and sounded "ghetto" they kept starring at me and creeping me out so I left. Michael kors was filled with a Bunch of stuck up rude workers who looked at me like, I was a bum. I did have some good experiences at Calvin Klein, Cole Haan and Guess. Calvin Klein has some really cute stuff, I found my boyfriend a sweater for 25$ originally 80$ also, their not an outlet, because I see the same stuff online but their is a BIG difference compared to other stores here in saying CK is actually discounted so A+ to CK. Guess had some really cute jeans I couldn't resist getting and the staff was nice, not to mention the somewhat loud music that I really enjoyed. Lastly, Cole Haan, I am sooooo glad they now have a Cole Haan, I no longer have to drive to kenosha Wisconsin. The staff here were so helpful and this truly is an outlet, I got 50% off plus an additional 20% off heck yea! They have so much goodies. These are the only 3 stores that I would definitley recommend. Though, I did not go into all the stores at this mall.
P.S. if you are going to shop in the weekends, be prepared to drive around the mall like 20 times to find a parking spot, I ended up parking up the curb. Oh, and be careful not to hit a kid, those irresponsible parents let their kids run crazy. -
Review from Peter J.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2012
This is a great place to get a lot of shopping done quickly. It is not too far outside of the city and they have a good selections of stores. People are all nice, but if you go on the right days the prices are very very low.
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Review from Amanda S.
1/28/2012 3 Check-ins Here
This mall kiiiinda sucks because......
A. They're not really giving anything away. I've seen things in the Zumiez, Aldo etc and they've been the same price as at Fox Valley mall. I'm talking exact same shirt, same price, same day.
B. The selection-- again, not great. I just don't see the point of dealing with the rest of the b.s. this mall has to offer to save $3.
C. Parking sitch. Total clusterf*ck..like traffic backed up to 88, everysingle spot taken, slow walking, huge family having, dumbass people milling all around.
D. Selection. I personally think the selection at a lot of these stores sucks. Sure, there are a few stores that are worthwhile (CCO/Kenneth Cole) but for the most part they offer straight garbage, the Guess and Juicy Couture stores are laughable. Ick.
I could probably go on for a lot longer complaining about the tourist factor, the freezing ass-ness in the winter etc but just thinking about this place puts me in a pissy mood. If I ever need to return to check out an item at CCO or accompany a friend, I will do it on a weekday, the lack of a crowd makes this place so much more bearable. With warm weather, it could be bumped up to three stars. -
Review from Liz K.
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't really do outlet shopping because I picture a big messy store...and I hate digging for clothes. So when I was told "let's visit the outlet mall"...I thought "why not". The mall's layout and parking is a bit odd, but we found parking.
On a positive note....the stores were not a mess like I expected...they were actually organized. Yet I didn't feel like some were "outlet"...for example J.Crew looked just like a regular J.Crew and the prices were the same as J.Crew.
For a cold January Saturday there sure were a lot of people, so I can guess that people love this mall. Some of the stores were insanely busy...like coach and many of the purse stores....but since I am not much of a purse person I can see why I didn't have as much fun. If you like purses and want to save...this is the place to go. -
Review from Maria P.
Glen Ellyn, IL
1/8/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Parking is the biggest problem at this mall. They have the typical stores along with a few higher end stores like Juicy, BCBG, and one of my favs, Aldo.
The line at the Coach store is always out the door with a long line no matter when I go. So if you're going there to go to Coach, be prepared to stand in line.
The food court isn't anything exciting, it's just a food court. But they do have a Starbucks which is great year round. -
Review from Jeff J.
Elgin, IL
2/19/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I ahve been here several times before, and have always been impressed with the deals I find, the abundance of stores, types of merchandice, and for it being an open air mall, how easy it was to stay out of bad weather.
Yes, not every store had a covered walkway, but we still managed to stay warn and dry for the most part.
However, the parking was the worst I have ever seen in my life. I feel it easier to park down town Chicago.
I still find the parking the only drawback, lots of deals outweigh the issue.
It's large enoug for hours of shopping, and deal hunting, has a foodcourt, and on sunny days, relaxing outdoor walking between shops. If the weather does take a turn, covered walkways are over the main areas, so you can continue to shop while avoiding the rain, or snow.
I would love to go again, and will, I Ihope you find it as worthwhile of an experience as I did. -
Review from MARIA O.
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
It took me 30 mins to find parking and then I had to wait in line OUTSIDE of the Coach store just to make a return and then make a line INSIDE of the Coach store. HOW RIDICULOUS. I really should be reviewing the Coach store, huh?
An in and out visit to the mall turned into and over an hour long visit to the mall. Their parking situation really needs to improve. I don't think I'll be driving out here any time soon. I -
Review from Nina I.
11/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really hate coming here because I always have a goal not to over spend and that's exactly what I always do here! On the bright side at least everything is mega cheap and I get twice as much for what I spend.
Some of their awesome stores include:
Guess Accessory Outlet,
Guess Outlet,
Lacoste Outlet,
Banana Republic (my fave!) Outlet,
NIke Outlet,
Puma Outlet,
Spyder Outlet,
True Religion Outlet,
Lucky Brand Jeans,
Levi's Outlet,
And many many more, but these are just some of my favorite.
I do wish they had an Abercrombie & Fitch or a Hollister, or maybe even a couple more sport stores with a wider array of winter and summer collections, but overall I can't complain because I'm typically very happy with my purchases.
The worst thing, unfortunately, is how cold it gets in the winter and since this is an outdoor mall I wish they had thought more about it's architecture before they decided to place it in Chicago.Listed in: Highly Recommend!
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Review from Lauren V.
3/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Great stores like Kate Spade, 7 for all Mankind, Ann Taylor, Le Creuset, Polo, JCrew, Gap, Coach, Lacoste....the list goes on. However, this place is PACKED on the weekends and parking is ridiculous-be prepared for lines everywhere and people galore.
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Review from Nelson M.
12/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Landmark Review:
So many great savings, so little time. Whenever I go bargain shopping, the outlet mall in aurora is the place to go. The can't miss stores include Nike, addidas, timberland, coach, banana republic, tommy, and polo just to name a few. End of the season sale is the best time to go visit as the prices are usually at there lowest. One downside is the difficulty in finding parking during holidays, so avoid at all cost as you will spend 30 minute circling around the parking lot trying to find a space.
Pro: wide variety of outlet stores, good prices
Cons: super busy during weekends and holiday, avoid the highway if possible as that backs up
Hidden gem: Sign up on the premium outlet website for the VIP club. You can print out coupons at home and also redeem a coupon at the information desk for a saver booklet. -
Review from John D.
Chicagoland, IL
Updated - 8/9/2011
Tag Heuer & Under Armour are now located here. If you're familiar with this mall, Tag Heuer is right next to Le Creuset on the west side of the mall. Under Armour is located on the northeast portion of the mall near the Oakley store. From what I saw, the discounts at Tag Heuer were pretty significant. Under Armour just opened so only time will answer that question.
Two nice rebounds to replace those who left recently. I hope to review both stores in the near future. Previous rules of mine still apply. If you go on a Saturday, go after 5:PM unless you LOVER traffic and having people on top of you.Listed in: Chicago Metro Retail, Malled
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/4/2010
I'm a big fan of this place a while back. For the most part I still am. You can get some solid deals… Read more »
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Review from Vicky D.
Lombard, IL
10/4/2011
I have a love/hate relationship with this outlet mall. Sometimes I think, "This is where I got my beautiful Michael Kors purse and favorite BCBG top and skirt!!." Other times I think, "Seriously? A line to just browse the Coach store?"
First, parking really is a nightmare. One time I made the biggest mistake you could possibly make. Coming here on a Saturday afternoon. I thought it would be bad, but not as bad as the time I came for Black Friday (on that particular morning, there was a huge line ON 88 just to get into the exit lane). NOPE. Just as bad. I actually drove around and said, "If I don't get a regular, non-grassy spot, then I'm going home. It's not worth it." Some guy was nice enough to point out an open spot and I gave him a thumbs up. Way to go, random stranger!
Second, the deals aren't always that great. Some stores are better than others. If you're not looking for something specific, then you'll probably leave very disappointed. Also, some of the stores are incredibly small. I recently walked into the BCBG store and realized I couldn't even look at all the products because there was a huge line for the fitting room in front of a wall of clothes. I immediately left.
In the end, this mall requires a lot of patience and stamina. Also, I will NEVER wait in a 45 minute line to get a discounted Coach purse. It's not worth it. -
Review from Nick L.
10/14/2011
This is probably one of the better premium outlets in the area. It's outdoor so be careful in the winter. It also gets packed at the weekend and Black Friday is madness. For some reason the Coach store has a line most days?! Beats me.
Parking is therefore troublesome at times where you randomly park places and even then there might not be enough. It takes a while but you'll find one eventually.
You can sign up and get the coupon booklet but you're not likely to spend that much to use many of them unless you are a tourist on a spree.
They have a good selection of shops ranging from the nicer ones like Salvatore Ferragamo, Armani, etc. to Reebok and shoe depot or whatever it's called.
The layout of this premium outlets makes it easier on the feet as it feels more compact despite having many stores. -
Review from Catherine P.
Schaumburg, IL
8/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
My fiance and I decided early Sunday morning last weekend to head out to the "new" mall (I know it's not new anymore, but it is to me) we haven't ever been to check it out and see what we can find.
Their deals are abundant, the facilities are pretty clean, but parking is kinda ridiculous. We drove around for about 20 minutes looking for a spot. Didn't really realize until we left, but their parking lots are not that far out from the building. Cars actually parallel parked on the drive around the perimeter of the parking lot and not just one or two cars, the entire perimeter. I had no idea the place was that popular, but it was! People were pretty polite throughout and while it was crowded, it moved. One thing I noticed is that most of the "halls" throughout the entire outdoor mall were covered, so if it began to rain, you could keep shopping. Big A+ if you ask me.
I was surprised I did not spend as much money as I thought I would normally at a mall. You could attribute that to the fact that I'm planning a wedding and funds are a little tight right now, but I don't think we spent more than $100.00. Got a few gifts and I spend $4 on a new measuring cup for myself. Where they got us was at the Godiva store. I love chocolate. :)
Took us about 45 minutes to get here from Schaumburg on a Sunday afternoon late morning. I recommend you get there early if you want to park your car in the same zip code as the mall itself. There aren't really any restaurants nearby which really surprised me. Couldn't believe that all the regular chain places aren't popping up all over the place over there, but hey, perhaps they are pacing themselves. The economy is rough right now, I hear. ;)
I intend on returning, because the outdoor part itself was very nice, but I will do my homework first...I don't know how "outlet-y" mall the prices actually were. -
Review from Sherwin C.
Palatine, IL
A solid choice for high-end shopping. The entire Chicago metropolitan area is filled with plenty of shopping choices, both indoor and outdoor otherwise these outlets would stand out more. With that said, it does have a pretty good selection of stores with decent prices and could be interesting to walk around during the summer.
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Review from Cat C.
New York, NY
8/30/2011
The outlet stores are pretty hit or miss, depending on whether there are sales going on. The thing that irks me the most though is the terrible parking. Seriously, even on a normal weekend, they have to bring in traffic control (which is an improvement from when they didn't have traffic control and there was general chaos and bumper car battles) and have people parallel parking all over the place. You can imagine what a disaster it is on Black Friday (I speak from experience ...). It's not like this is a new problem either... if anything, it's only gotten worse over the years. Could you please please please build more parking lots so you don't have to have people parking willy-nilly all over the nearby fields??? /rant
The stores they have are pretty good... like I said, if they have sales going on, you can sometimes find great deals. (recent haul: Gap slouchy tee for $2.99?! Aldo clutch for $9?! Guess harem pants for $19?! Van Heusen scarf for $6?! get in mah closet nao, please) Otherwise, the outlet prices are still pretty pricey for someone like me. I'm sure there are folk out there who would be drooling over $500 down to $200 discounts or $60 designer t-shirts, but I'm not one of them. Give me a few years to start making bank and I'll come join your ranks after I solve poverty and hunger.
Truncated review for the Lazy: Go on a weekday. Never on a holiday or weekend. Go when there are sales. -
Review from Joel G.
6/18/2011
This outlet mall has a pretty good selection of stores and it's simple to get around thanks to the rectangular layout. Parking seems intimidating upon arrival, but simply driving to the other side of the mall opens up a much easier experience. It seems people are all parking at the entrance.
Didn't do a ton of shopping, was mostly along for the ride, but there seemed to be some good deals in a lot of the female driven stores. I'll assume that by the number of bags we left with. For me, the Puma store is always the store I am most excited about. The selection of clothing only seems to be worse with every visit. It's pretty generic as far as selection goes. GAP is pretty average. Nothing great, but dependable. I was able to walk out with a couple pairs of pants for pretty cheap.
Probably the best part would be the people watching. It's a pretty diverse crowd of people. Things get interesting when it gets hot out. -
Review from Foster R.
Chicago, IL
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love the Chicago premium outlet mall! They have so many stores to choose from, my favorites are the Nike and the ecko store, these are the first two stores I check into every time I come to this mall. If you are looking for a nice coat or leather accessories, make sure you check out the Wilson's store, they have very great deals! My wife always hit up the Coach, Dooney, and the Zales outlets. I come here at least three times a year and each time the trip is always worth it.
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Review from Stephanie M.
Lemont, IL
A fun place for a walk outdoors and great shops as well! Great deals on some very nice brands along with a fun and safe atmosphere.
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Review from Candice G.
Naperville, IL
12/2/2010
I don't live incredibly far from here but I've only ventured into the place twice- once when it first opened years ago and once a few weeks ago when my attempt at plasma donation went awry. My second visit reminded why it took me so long to come back.
The first time I came I ended up leaving with an automatic tweezer... it broke not too long after. The second time I ended up getting a pair of slip-resistant shoes from the Crocs store (don't judge me, they were for work) and that was it... and this is coming from a person who could drop a grand in a 7-eleven if the moment struck her right.
I went in a lot of other stores but I never even felt the urge to purchase anything. Weird. I attribute that to things not even being just from last season but maybe from like a few years ago and not s'much for being in style (hello, turtle necks). And for the most part, the prices aren't exactly outlet-y. I don't remember thinking anything was worth it's price; in fact, I don't even remember seeing anything on sale. Full price for old azz merch? N'thanks. LAME.Listed in: Aurora Borealis.
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Review from Ashley H.
Plainfield, IL
7/17/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Things I like: Large variety of stores, decent prices, nice change of pace from the mall (read: you are outside so you can enjoy the weather, but the long rows of shops are covered so you can walk around even if the weather isn't cooperating).
Things I don't like: The parking lot. I dread it every time I decide to come here. People are aggressive, rude, and inconsiderate. Come to think of it, they are the same way when they're shopping, too. The overall attitude of this place is kind of... stuck up.
*Disclaimer: This obviously doesn't mean EVERYONE who goes there is stuck up, by any means. Don't want to offend anyone out there who, like me, goes there to SHOP. I'm annoyed at the people who walk around like they own the place- those who don't notice other people around them, slam the door in their face, butt in front of them in line, or think they are generally better than everyone else. -
Review from George B.
Chicago, IL
6/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
This will be brief...
I came here on a Saturday, and was very disappointed with this outlet mall. Parking was crazy aggressive. Prices at the outlets were not as reasonable or discounted as the Premium Outlets in Pleasant Prairie, WI.
Maybe I'll give this place a second chance at another time. But until then, I'll stick to the other outlet mall up north where the tax is lower by half and the prices much lower. -
Review from Michelle C.
Chicago, IL
3/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love this place, but only because it has coach factory and I am a huge coach addict.
It's a pretty good place to shop at on holidays like "black friday". but it becomes very crowded. It's an outlet mall so yes you get discounts but don't be looking for 50-75% discounts you'll probably save between 20%-40% depending on the day.
The store choice is kind of limited so if you are commuting from far away I would look into which stores you'd want to shop at.
Stores that I usually go to: Nike, Puma, Adidas, Coach, Aeropostale, J Crew... -
Review from Christina C.
Columbus, OH
12/14/2010
Hello one-stop-shop for holiday shopping!
On my recent trip to Chicago with the women in my family, my aunt put her foot down and demanded we go to this outlet mall. First impressions were, well, kind of unimpressive, BUT I'm happy to report I did 92.8% of my holiday shopping in one place (and it didn't completely break the bank.)
I was ecstatic to finda Lucky Brand store (those are the only jeans that fit), an Armani Exchange, and a Coach. I also picked up awesome deals at Wilson's Leather and Kenneth Cole!
I'm not sure if it's just the holidays that bring out the deals - but WOW! There were some serious bargains here and I didn't even have to hunt!Listed in: Yelpin' On The Road, Bargain Hunting, Chicago from a Visitor
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Review from Sarah M.
2/21/2012
meh. i was on the hunt for black heels, but apparently this entire mall only caters to teens and the over-40 crowd when it comes to shoes. i walked in to every shoe store this 'mall' had to offer, glanced around, and knew i'd never find a cute, functional professional black heel. i admitted defeat on the shoes, but decided to see if i couldn't find a new purse or pair of jeans, but on the two occasions i came across something that kind of caught my eye, my size was nowhere to be found. i won't be returning- there are about a hundred bigger and better stocked shopping areas much closer to my home.
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Review from Val B.
Chicago, IL
11/22/2010
FYI, Chicago Premium Outlets are not in Chicago. In fact, it's probably about an hour's drive from Chicago. But I digress...
This mall has a nice selection of stores - from higher end like Coach and BCBG to J. Crew and Eddie Bauer. It's not too spread out, unlike some outdoor malls, so you can park and walk to all the stores. My only complaint is that some of the stores aren't really outlets, and it seems like it's not leftovers/discounted merch, but just a regular store. The J. Crew is an example - the looks are current, which I'm not complaining about, but so are the prices. Then again, some are great, like the Banana Republic which has a great selection at discounted prices.
Overall, a great place to do some shopping... and spend way too much money. Wish it were closer to where I live! -
Review from Paul C.
7/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Good selection of stores, decent prices, parking is a zoo, and the shoppers are animals.
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Review from Scott M.
Aurora, IL
2/3/2012
If you go near this place on a weekend or holiday, you should have your head examined. The parking is nonexistent, and actual physical confrontations have occured as you search for a place to park your auto.
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Review from Grace L.
Glenview, IL
10/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
It's always been crowded here, so be prepared to be a parking hawk to find a spot, not even a "closer to that store spot" but just a car sized piece of legal real estate for your car. This is an all outdoor mall, but partially covered overhead.
Most stores are your typical outlet fare, but they do have Dooney and Burke, Armani ( exchange and Giorgio), Kate Spade, Michael Kors...so a few not so typical.
There is a food court and in the food court you can get coupon books for 5 bucks. Or if you have AAA, you get it for free. -
Review from Andrea R.
4/8/2007 1 photo
When it comes to shopping I'm a boutique gal over a chain store gal, but there's nothing like a good deal. And when I"m craving some bargain shopping I make my way to the Chicago Premium Outlets, where I can shop all I want and not feel as guilty.
I highly suggest parking near Kenneth Cole because the majority of the "good" stores are in this area.
Stores WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Tahari: Personally, I would drive to this outlet mall just to visit Tahari. I love their clothing, but I hate their prices! The Tahari outlet is about 40% less than what I find in department stores...still a little expensive, but more manageable. They typically have really small sizes (seriously, who out there wears a size 0?), but I've gotten lucky with a few amazing items in my size here.
Theory: Another brand I love that I typically can't afford, but it's also about 40% less expensive at this outlet store. The sales associates are also very friendly and helpful here.
Coach: An absolute madhouse, but they have all the basic coach purses and wallets for less if you're into them. I bought a great work bag here a few years ago that I used forever!
Puma: Not the most organized store, but they do have quite a selection of cute sneakers. Some great workout clothes and sweatshirts as well!
Nike: This used to be one of my favorite spots until I started buying lululemon to workout and now I can't seem to wear anything else! However, if you haven't discovered lululemon (stay away because you'll love their $90 workout pants too much!) this Nike is a great stop to stock up on workout necessities.
Lacoste: If you're one of those people who can pull off that cute pretty golf look (I can't) they have pretty much every color and they are only $50.
Auntie Anne's Pretzel: Chain store outlet shopping always makes me crave this yummy pretzel chain. Go for the cinnamon sugar pretzel bites! And if pretzels aren't your thing their is a coldstone nearby as well!
Kenneth Cole:
I'm not a huge Kenneth Cole fan normally, but I always end up buying something from their outlet stores. Fabulous shoes at prices that can't be beat!
Stores I've learned to AVOID:
Banana Republic & The Gap:
You'll spend over an hour in line waiting to try on all the crap in this store and it really is crap...so not worth it.
Miss Sixty: I used to be a fan, but when I stopped in there yesterday it looked like a store for teeny boppers. Their clothing line has gotten younger or I've just gotten older...the latter is probably the case.
BCBG: I'm a big fan of most BCBG stores, but I've never been able to find anything in this outlet store. However, my friends always seem to be happy here so maybe it's just me...
Well, there you have it...my guide to the Chicago Premium Outlets. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time because they seem to do things slower in Aurora...I'd suggest about 3 hours to get through the entire mall. Happy Shopping!Listed in: Shopping in Chicago
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Review from Caroline M.
Chicago, IL
3/17/2010
We drove.
We shopped.
We conquered!
40% off in Kate Spade?! Is this for real? 30% off in Coach, plus an additional 20% off your entire purchase coupon.....?? What's the catch? There wasn't one. Between those two stores and two girls, we bought 3 purses, one wristlet, sunglasses, and a lap top bag for about $300.
I solemnly swear, on my new pink Coach purse, that I will visit these outlets annually, bare minimum. -
Review from Katarina X.
Chicago, IL
4/5/2009
Ray Ban sunglasses?
Coach purses?
White Ruffled Bikini?
Juicy Couture panties?
Le Creuset wedding registry so overwhelmed and color-blind guests don't have to try to color coordinate?
Good times.
Oh and 8% sales tax. Remember those days Chicago? Somehow this isn't squandered. You go here to shop and wonder what's different... there are no potholes. No panhandlers. No litter. No loiterering city workers or construction crews. No angry people freezing their overtaxxed butts off. Decent shopping where there are no boarded or papered storefronts. It's like a time warp to back when shopping looked and felt good! -
Review from Crystal L.
Chicago, IL
6/16/2008
The Chicago Premium Outlets is located about 15min from my parent's house so it's really convenient for me to make a trip out there. Otherwise, I'm not sure how feasible it would be for city dwellers to drive to Aurora for some discounted shopping especially with the gas prices these days. Without further due here is my take on the stores at the outlet...
BCBG Max Azria - In my opinion BCBG is probably the best store at the entire outlet. I'll admit I don't find something eveytime I go but when I do the deals are awesome! For instance, I got a dress that was retail $200 for $50 and a long down coat that was $400+ for $170. My friend once bought a $300 purse for $100. The store has a pretty good selection of dresses, shoes, purses, work clothes and casual. As long as you don't mind not having the latest BCBG trends immediately I think BCBG outlet is a great alternative to get the same goods for much less.
Puma - I don't really wear Puma gear but the shoes are extremely comfortable and great for everyday walking in the city. The sales here are similar to those at Famous Footwear (Buy 1 Get 1 Half Off) but with much more Puma selection, obviously. I had been planning to buy some new Pumas and was not ready to cough up $100. I found a pair that I really liked for $60 at the outlet. Since my boyfriend was already buying a pair, mine turned out to be $30 so he bought them for me =)
Coach - I use to be a fan of the Coach Outlet because I was able to snag great deals on the purses. However, now that I'd had these purses for a while I'm starting to think the quality is not as good as Coach. You would think that the same purses from Coach get shipped to the outlet and indeed that is true in some cases. I also believe Coach Outlet makes their own line of purses as well. Now that Coach purses are more affordable you see many high schoolers walk around with them and it's devalued the Coach name in my eyes. However, if you're a huge Coach lover then the Coach Outlet does have pretty sweet deals and is worth a visit. Just keep in mind that when there are huge sales, the lines outside the store are as long as the opening day at the movies.
Ann Taylor - They have good deals on their suits. I bought a pinstripe jacket/pants set for $129. The jackets itself are usually more than $129 at the Ann Taylor store. The suit landed me my second job so it did its job well.
Nine West - I've bought a couple pairs of boots here. Boots that are usually priced at $100 can be bought as low as $20 and $30 at the outlet. They have a nice variety of pumps here too.
Liz Claiborne - Also has good prices for work shoes.
Guess - It's a hit or miss.. as I get older I'm growing out of the Guess look so it's getting harder to find things I like.. the prices are great here.. I bought a bikini 2-piece set for $44 whereas each piece would normally be around $40 each at Guess stores
Juicy Couture - Another store I think that I'm outside the age group but according to my sister it does have some good deals
Banana Republic, Calvin Klein , Gap - I usually can't find anything here but my boyfriend seems to be able to find something i.e. dress shirts, khakis, boxers ;)
J.Crew - It's not really my style but I am able to find nice collar shirts for work and for only $20/each
Diesel - My sister has found a few cute things from here and my friend has bought diesel shoes here for a good price.. I haven't found much..
Elie Tahari, Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo - Still too expensive for my pockets.. you're looking at $1000 Armani suits going for $600
** Dates to avoid if possible - The day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) and the day after Christmas... The outlet is complete chaos. Unless you have a particular outfit in mind and you're determined to push everyone out of your way to grab it, it's really not worth fighting the massive crowds! ** -
Review from Michelle H.
Bolingbrook, IL
7/31/2008
If you are designer and brand conscious, these are the outlets for you. Dolce and Gabana, Calvin Klein, Crabtree and Evelyn, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Nine West, Armani Exchange, and I probably could go on forever.
But I am neither, and I had gone here in search of an elusive brown dress for an upcoming wedding. I went home empty handed in that department, but I did find a great deal on shoes instead.
I went the day before Independence Day, and they were holding some kind of sidewalk sale. We got there early enough in the day to find a parking spot without much hassle. But when we left, it was a trip into hell. Even trying to get out of the parking lot took fifteen minutes. And that was with people directing traffic (OK maybe not directing, but they were dressed up in neon colored vests and waving the light-up cones around a little).
Will I find myself at this outlet mall again? Well, since it's outdoors, in the winter, hell no. In the summer, maybe. If it's not too hot, and not an insanely busy day. Maybe during the week! (Oh, if you want to get from the city without driving, you can catch the Metra BNSF from Union Station!)
Oh, and stay away from the food court. You will be ass raped by the exorbitant prices and shitty quality.Listed in: Call me Cheap
-
Review from Carolynne M.
Chicago, IL
12/28/2008
It used to be that the only choices in the Chicagoland area for outlet shopping was Michigan CIty or Kenosha. Michigan City is a pain to get to and for the drive, it hardly seemed worth it. Kenosha is a complete horror show, unless you like shapeless, boring mom clothing and orthopedic shoes.
But with the addition of Aurora we have completely changed all of that. Now we have fabulous, fashionable brands like Armani, BCBG, Calvin Klein and Diesel for clothing, Guess, Puma and Nine west for shoes, and Coach, Michael Kors and Dooney & Bourke for handbags. It is a rare day we go there and I dont find at least one incredible deal. Last time I was there I got a new pair of Pumas for $35 and a wool Benetton sweater for $20. Cant beat that!
Also, the Lindt chocolate store is devastatingly alluring - be careful with that one!
Yay for the Aurora Outlets! -
Review from Kelly A.
Los Angeles, CA
4/4/2008
Several times a year, a small group of my friends and I will trek out to Aurora for a day of serious shopping. The deals to be had here are second to none. It would take me days to list all of the fantastic finds, so I'll just make note a few highlights.
Benetton - My favorite store HUGELY discounted makes me one happy girl. I've purchased several full suits here at absolute steals and I just got a pair of pants that fit me like they were tailored specifically for me for 25 freakin dollars!!!
Cosmetic Company Store - Did someone say discounted Kiehls??? Yes, at nearly 50% off of retail, I'm stocked up for the next year.
Kenneth Cole - Had a half price boot sale a few weeks ago. Half off already reduced prices so most boots were around $50/pair.
BCBG - This store is hit or miss for me. Sometimes I'll find nothing, but the last time I was in they had several full racks of cocktail dresses marked down to $40 - $50 - SCORE!
Theory/Tahari - While quite a bit cheaper than regular retail, these stores are still pretty expensive. But if you hit on the right day, there are finds to be had.
Diesel - I never have luck with the jeans here, but I've scored on a few pairs of shoes.
Kate Spade - Still pricy, but somethings are worth it. They had a big shoe markdown last time I was in.
Coach - Avoid! It never fails to be a complete madhouse. The Michigan City store is much better.
Banana Republic - While there are a lot of deals to be had here, it's sometimes not worth it to fight the crowds. It takes some serious energy to get through this whole mall, so I'll usually reserve mine for the stores I really want to get to. Again, the MI City version is a little better.
Other things of note:
- Parking can be a bitch.
- The food court is a joke, so either eat before you go or buck up for some scary Chinese food. There's one sit-down restaurant on-site, but I've never tried it.
- Also, beware the Juicy Couture store. While I would never set foot in there, I have experienced the deafening jams being pumped by their DJ - who you can see and hear from outside. I despise Juicy.
- Finally, if you visit their website before you go, you can print coupons for many of the stores for even MORE savings. -
Review from Cristina G.
Aurora, IL
6/23/2011 138 Check-ins Here
Ugh. The parking situation at this mall is enough to drive you crazy! It's the most horrible parking lot ever. If you come here on the weekends, be prepared to circle around for a while trying to find a spot before settling for curbside parking on the road. The actual mall itself has a decent amount of stores. I used to work here so I got bored with the store selection quickly. The food court is terrible, 2 asain places, great steak, ranch 1 and sabbarro pizza. The main attraction here is the Coach store. If you're willing to wait in line for 40 min to get into this crowded store and spend $150 on an ugly purse, then this mall is for you. If you are into brand names they do have a nice selection of high end stores. Word to the wise: come here during the week and avoid this place between the hours of 12pm-5pm on the weekends.
