Ready, steady, shop!

Although canny shoppers have benefited from the joys of outlet shopping for years, in these financially challenging days there\'s never been a better time for dedicated fashion followers with wallets on the lighter side to give it a whirl.

Giving your wardrobe a boost for less is a must in 2011, but that doesn\'t have to mean a ban on shopping splurges. Here we bring you the top 10 outlet shopping destinations from around the world. From Oxford and New York to Milan and Barcelona, we have picked the best outlet villages that house all your favourite luxurious, designer labels and high street brands with massive reductions, so you can still save money without compromising on style. Happy spending!

1. Woodbury Common, New York

Dedicated bargain hunters with a day to spare in New York should head to Woodbury Common - the crème de la crème of designer discount outlets and a sprawling space of over 220 stores. Established American labels - think Levi\'s, Gap, Banana Republic, Nike, American Apparel and Converse - sit alongside high-end designer brands in this 800,000sq ft shopper\'s heaven. The village boasts designer stores, such as Christian Dior, Valentino and Burberry - rarely seen at other discount malls. The brilliant American department store, Saks Fifth Avenue, also has a plot at Woodbury Common with stock prices slashed by more than two-thirds. If that wasn\'t enough of a treat, many pop-up clearance shops appear throughout the year, with even bigger discounts to be bagged. This is a must for designer label snobs that still love a good old bargain.

Reductions: from 25% to 65% off.

Key labels: Balenciaga, Chloé, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel and Jimmy Choo.

Best for: up-market shoppers and loyal fashion followers.

Getting there: Woodbury Common is situated in Red Apple County, New York and just a 50 minute bus ride north from Manhattan. If you choose to travel by train, take the Metro North Port Jervis Line and head to the Harriman station, where a shuttle bus runs to the mall.

Find out more: premiumoutlets.com

Picture: Backstage at the Chanel spring/summer 2009 show

2. La Vallée Village, Paris

Close to France\'s Champagne region and just a short 35 minute train journey from the centre of Paris, lies La Vallée Village - the chicest and most exclusive shopping outlet in France. The village boasts many designer brands, such as Jimmy Choo, Longchamp, Armani and Christian Lacroix, that you simply won\'t find in any other outlet complex in the country. Not only will visitors bag themselves bargains of up to 60% off, but they\'ll do so in stylish and sophisticated surroundings and pedestrian only streets. Shopping bliss, non?

Reductions: from 33% to 60% off.

Key labels: Christian Lacroix, Cacharel, Celine, Zadig & Volitaire and Maje.

Best for: shopping French. This is your chance to buy chic French pieces for a snip of the price.

Getting there: there\'s a daily Cityrama shuttle bus service that runs from the centre of Paris. Call +33 (0) 160 310101­ for more information. Or hop on the RER express subway train from Paris\' Val d\'Europe station. For those that want to go posh, La Vallée Village also runs a limousine service. Ooh, get you.

Find out more: lavalleevillage.com

Picture: Cacharel spring/summer 2009.

3. Marni Outlet Store, Milan

Nestled in a residential suburb of Milan, this haven for die-hard fashion fans is quite tricky to find, but looking for it only adds to the fun. You\'ll know you\'ve found the right place when you spot the small, bronze Marni plaque on the gate outside. Ring the bell and in true Ali Baba-style the gate will open. Walk down the footpath to the right and once inside you\'ll find bundles and bundles of Consuelo Castiglioni\'s ultra-pretty clothes marked down by a purse-friendly 50% or more. All of the hallmarks of the Swiss-born, Milan-based designer\'s collections are here: chic tailoring and unique, quirky pieces. Also take the chance to stock up on the label\'s eclectic accessories, such as slouchy handbags, statement wedges and resin necklaces for a fraction of the price. Purses at the ready...

Reductions: at least 50% off.

Key labels: Marni.

Best for: lovers of Marni\'s colourful and eclectic chic.

Getting there: head to the Lambrate district to the north east of the city and the outlet lies on the Via Filippo Tajani at number 3. The outlet is best reached by taxi but pssst, be sure to tell the driver to take you to Via Filippo Tajani not Via Tajani. Many people don\'t even know the exact address, as the Marni stores like to keep its location under wraps.

Find out more: marni-international.com

Picture: Marni spring/summer 2009.

4. Prada Outlet Factory, Florence

For serious chic on the cheap while in Florence, head out of the city and hop down the A1 motorway until you spot a vast warehouse-style factory with no sign on the building. That\'s Prada. Or I Pellettieri d\'Italia to be precise, as that\'s the name the outlet store still goes by. Bargain hunting fashionistas can expect to snap up Prada\'s luxurious, elegant clothes for less than half price, last season\'s It-bag for a not-bad-at-all £100, plus items slashed by more than 50% from the Italian brand\'s sister label, Miu Miu. Now that\'s a bargain.

Reductions: at least 50% off.

Key labels: Prada, of course.

Best for: fans of Prada\'s timeless sophisticated chic and Italian craftsmanship, without the bumper bank balance.

Getting there: take the train from Florence\'s Santa Maria Novella station to Montevarchi (one hour tops) and hop in a cab to the outlet.

Find out more: prada.com

Picture: Prada spring/summer 2009.

5. Fidenza Village, Milan

This is a must for fans of Italian fashion. And let\'s face it, who isn\'t? Situated just an hour from Milan (it is in fact closer to Parma and is located on the motorway between Milan and Bologna), it stocks fabulous clothes from the previous collections of top-end designers, with reductions of up to a very-wallet-friendly 70%. Give your credit card a bashing in the Missoni, Versace and Calvin Klein boutiques, as well as the more local Italian brand stores, like Lanificio Columbo and Frette.

Reductions: up to 70% off.

Key labels: Missoni, Versace, Calvin Klein, Furla, Guess and Pinko.

Best for: well-made, classic, Italian goods.

Getting there: the Fidenza Village Express train departs daily (every 40 minutes) from Milan Piazza Castello direct to the shopping outlet. You can also catch the train from Bologna too.

Find out more: fidenzavillage.com

Picture: Missoni spring/summer 2009.

6. La Roca Village, Barcelona

This beautiful outlet shopping village on the outskirts of Barcelona has the picturesque architecture of a traditional Catalan market town with bargains of up to two-thirds off luxury fashion and accessories. It boasts over 100 outlet boutiques including of-the-moment Spanish label Loewe, as well as Versace, Burberry and La Perla. What\'s more, it features heaps of local designers too, such as Antonio Miro, Armand Basi and Sita Murt, so you can indulge in the best style Spain has to offer. Just a 40 minute car journey from Barcelona city centre, weary shoppers can also relax and indulge in gourmet Spanish treats in many of the outlet\'s scrumptious restaurants before giving their credit card another workout.

Reductions: up to 60% off.

Key labels: Loewe, Armand Basi, Versace, Burberry and La Perla.

Best for: bagging bargains in picturesque Spanish architectural surroundings.

Getting there: from Granollers Station to La Roca Village (to go by shuttle train), from Fabra I Puig Station in central Barcelona (by bus) or head down the A7 motorway (by car).

Find out more: larocavillage.com

Picture: Burberry spring/summer 2009.

7. Maasmechelen Village, Brussels

We say Brussels, but in fact this outlet shopping destination lies within easy reach of Antwerp, Maastricht, Düsseldorf and Cologne too. Situated in the beautiful, scenic Belgian countryside lies this haven for devoted shopaholics and fashion followers. This pretty outlet village has all the trademarks of a typically Belgian shopping experience - picturesque canals, Limburg architecture and cycle paths - but with credit crunch busting savings of up to 60%. The shopping village boasts everything from cult European brands to world renowned international labels. This is guilt-free shopping at its best.

Reductions: between 30% and 60% off.

Key labels: Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, BCBG, Pringle of Scotland, Barbour and Diesel.

Best for: a truly Belgian shopping experience.

Getting there: go straight from London\'s King\'s Cross St Pancras station on the Eurostar, prices start from £59 to Brussels. A shuttle bus service runs between Genk and Hasselt stations in the city to the village.

Find out more: maasmechelenvillage.com

Picture: BCBG spring/summer 2009.

8. Bicester Village, Oxford

Located equidistance between Birmingham and London in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside, Bicester Village is a picture perfect traffic-free shopping village and host to more than 130 outlet boutiques of leading brands with something for everyone. Trust us; this place has got the lot. In fact, many labels have their only outlet store in Europe here, including Matthew Williamson, Alexander McQueen and Temperley London. Other highlights include DKNY, Vivienne Westwood and La Perla boutiques. Shoppers can expect year round discounts of up to 60% in the stores alongside gourmet British eateries and quaint tea rooms.

Reductions: expect savings of up to 60%.

Key labels: Alexander McQueen, Mulberry, Anya Hindmarch, Paul Smith and Agent Provocateur.

Best for: buying British. Enough said.

Getting there: shoot down the M40 motorway and exit at Junction 9 and follow the A41 to the village. For those without a car, a shuttle train runs from London\'s Marylebone station to the village daily.

Find out more: bicestervillage.com

Picture: Temperley London spring/summer 2009.

9. Kildare Village, Dublin

Dublin is not just for Guinness lovers, oh no. In the city and fancy a shopping splurge? Then Kildare Village, situated just an hour away from Dublin city centre, is the place for you. With more than 50 shopping boutiques this charming outlet village is open all year round offering affordable luxury to loyal fashion followers, with up to 60% off brands.

Reductions: up to 60% off.

Key labels: Calvin Klein, Bally, Cath Kidston, All Saints, Reiss, Petit Bateau and Levi\'s.

Best for: stocking up on wardrobe staples from trusted designer and high street brands.

Getting there: trains run direct from Dublin\'s Heuston station to Kildare Town. Hop on the complimentary shuttle bus from Kildare Town station to Kildare Village.

Find out more: kildarevillage.com

Picture: Calvin Klein spring/summer 2009.

10. Foxtown, Mendrisio, Switzerland

Situated near the charming Swiss town of Mendrisio and close to the border of Switzerland and Italy is Foxtown, a one-stop shop for discounted high-end designer togs. Despite being situated in Switzerland, Foxtown lies just 50km from Milan and is brimming with Italian designer brands at slashed prices. Think Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Missoni, Prada, Versace, Etro and Fendi, to name just a few. Other brands to keep a beady eye out for include Yves Saint Laurent, Jil Sander, Burberry and Christian Dior. The outlet also boasts four restaurants, two bars and a casino just to keep you busy.

Reductions: from 30% to 70% off.

Key labels: Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Gucci, Burberry, Jil Sander, Fendi, Missoni and Prada.

Best for: exploring a cross-section of luxe, high-end brands under one roof.

Getting there: for visitors in Switzerland buses run daily from Chiasso and Mendrisio to the shopping outlet. For peeps travelling from Italy, shuttle buses run daily from Bergarmo to Mendrisio via Milan with the Zani Viaggi company.

Find out more: foxtown.com

Picture: Yves Saint Laurent spring/summer 2009.