I think we have another rumor going here! lol! Many of the soft leather bags have outer pockets on them that are in the boutiques. They are very nice and fully lined with the signature interior. The saffiano bags that have outer pockets such as the Zip Top Jet Set Satchel, but are not lined with the signature lining, like the soft leather bags are.
While this could be and probably is an outlet bag, the outer pocket is not really any way to determine. The funny thing is, that many of the outlet bags are quite spendy. I have seen the Astors there for almost 500.00! Most of them are the soft leather bags that generally retail for 400.00 on up. They are now selling some of their luxury bags from the Michael Kors Collection, not only in the outlets, but retail stores as well, such as Nordstoms and a couple others. I really think it has come to what the individual outlets can get their hands on. Many of the boutique bags are sent there because of overstock, etc.
Just to clarify, yes, the pocket does not dictate that it is an outlet bag, just that I saw them there with the outer pocket and the one's in the boutique didn't from what I saw. Agree with CinthiaZ, again the outer pocket does not mean it is an outlet bag. The interior lining would determine outlet vs boutique.