I’ve never been to New Orleans. It’s sad, I know… but luckily, I can live vicariously through the stories of Paula and her trip back to her old stomping ground – including a visit to the famed United Apparel Liquidators. Haven’t heard of the place? Read on!
After living in New Orleans for several years, there is not much that can entice me into a trip to the city of hurricanes (the blowing kind and the hangover kind), humidity and really tacky beads (which for some reason drives people to extreme measures in order to possess…)
However, my husband, who knows me way too well, needed only to promise a shopping trip to my favorite store in New Orleans – United Apparel Liquidators (UAL) – to get me packing my bags faster than a plucked chicken runs for cover.
So now you are likely wondering why someone would go several hundred miles to shop (well, possibly you are not wondering which makes me warm and fuzzy all over). Either way, allow me to explain. UAL is a wonderful store that sells designer clothes at steep discounts, has an ever changing inventory of sought after brands and crazy not-to-be-believed clearance racks (no joke, on this particular trip I found Current/Elliott, Joie, Sanctuary and Vince items all for under $20 on those clearance racks). Even regular sale priced items, 50% off and up, rivals the best online sales. Some will complain that the small store is crowded with inventory (I say, the more the merrier), and that sizing and selection can be sporadic (but hey, with all that crowded inventory you can always find something to want). Me? Well, I love a good treasure hunt and UAL never disappoints.
Alright, now that you know the cause of my frenzy, let me get back to my story.
Stale beer stench of Bourbon Street aside – I was ready to make a b-line for UAL before the car had rolled to a stop in front of our hotel. However, fate had other plans in mind for no sooner had we arrived in New Orleans when my son came down with the nastiest little flu – leaving the poor guy to ponder where was the justice in making it through an entire school year without being out sick only to spend the first week of summer as an invalid and me to wonder if my shopping karma had once and for all deserted me… But, alas, karma preserved, my time finally came and what a time it was!
If you are ever in the New Orleans area I suggest stopping by for your own shopping adventure – I guarantee there is a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow. But, I strongly recommend avoiding the hurricanes… umm, both kinds!!
My favorite finds:
J Brand Lowrise Lovestory – $45
Current/Elliott – Elephant Bell – $45 (bummer – the under $20 pairs were not in my size)
Yigal Azrouel – wool and linen scarf – $41 (okay, more than I would usually spend for an accessory but I fell in love with the color and feel and I couldn’t take it off so it was either pay or face retail wrath)
Joie Cargos – $10 (ok, not jbrand Houlihans but… what is with those anyway??)
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Seattle definitely needs one of these stores.
wish I could go!
It is the coolest store. I have clothes that I bought there before Katrina (when they were in Metairie) that I still get compliments on. Incredible deals and super cool finds, especially if you’re able to go often. I no longer live in NOLA and miss a lot of things about that city, UAL being one of them!
Hello,
i NEED absolutely the current elliott elephant bell jeans! I’m from Italy,there is anyone that can help me to buy these jeans for me in this store or others store were these are selling with discount prices?thanks anyone can help me!!Nicole
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