This is the time of the year you look for bargains to fill your gift list. Not that long ago, heading to an outlet store or mall would score you an incredible deal on an item that didn't sell at the brand's retail store. However fashion brands have realized that we are more likely to spend money if we think we're finding a deal. Come to find out, most clothing you find at factory outlets were specifically made to be there and made of lower quality materials. If you know this going into an outlet and are fine with the lower quality, then you’re all set. But there are also times when outlet items are sold online without disclosing their origins. Fortunately, there are ways to determine if something was made especially for the factory outlet. For instance, Banana Republic and Gap clothing from the outlet has three small diamonds underneath the brand name on the tag. Kate Spade clothing from the outlet has an embroidered spade above the label name, and the tag stitching is greenish instead of gold. Brooks Brothers clothing made for the outlet will have a "346" on the tag. J. Crew merchandise from the outlet has two small diamonds underneath the brand name on the tag. Coach outlet items will have a serial number that starts with “F.”