Lucky Eights

Rarely in the fashion world does being a size 8 guarantee you a score at a sample sale. Thanks to funky shoemakers Faryl Robin, if that's you, your number just came up. A shoe sale exclusively for size 8s! Which happens to be both Bingers' shoe sizes...bingo! I'll report back later, but for now, the deal:

Hayden-Harnett: Surprise Sample Sale!

I left the last Hayden-Harnett sample sale empty-handed, but they made up for it with this sale. They announced it on Tuesday afternoon on Facebook, but sadly I wasn't able to get down to the Nolita store until last night after work. It was obvious from the largely empty racks and the disaster-zone dressing room that they'd had quite a crowd during the day. Amazingly enough, the sale featured actual samples from the fall 2010 line, meaning mostly small sizes. And yet...she shoots, she scores!


The salesgirl was sort of instrumental in convincing me to buy this cool bomber, the Cromwell jacket, in charcoal herringbone. It also comes in brown (below, far left):



Only $60, and guess what it retails for? $538! Jeebus. (Methinks H-H's price points are a wee bit high, but their sample-sale prices, in this case, were just right.) In any case, I win. Is it time for wool jackets yet?



I also got a cozy, cropped sweater vest (above right, worn open). Love that scoop neck! And the zipper! Needed no convincing. $60. No word on retail price, as it's not on the H-H site yet. After a long, annoying day, that's what you call retail therapy, folks.

Some other things from the fall collection that I'll be on the lookout for at the next sale:


Welles large hobo tote, $544, and I guess a Welles hobo/cross-body bag (as yet unavailable)—love that poppy color!



Pistol & Dagger scarf, $95, in many awesome fall colors.



Coats and jackets galore!

The sample sale is at the Nolita store in NYC, on Elizabeth between Houston and Prince, and runs through Sunday, from 12-8 each day. Everything is $20-$70. Long live Hayden-Harnett!

Lovely People's Lovely Shoes

After snapping up two pairs of shoes at Shoes for Lovely People's one-day sample sale yesterday, it's safe to say I don't need to buy any more summer shoes. The sale was weird, taking place largely in a hallway and smelling, oddly, of b.o. (nasty!). Or was it f.o.? On the plus side, there was cake. And broccoli. Eclectic! The sale started at 5:30 and was well underway by the time I strolled in a few minutes past 6. There wasn't a ton of merchandise, but I nevertheless managed to snag the following cute sandals:


Lovely People Mariane wedge in black, $40 at sale; $99.99 at Sears right now. I love the mix of patent leather and suede, and the contrast of the patent with the rope wedge. Four inches, and comfy, too!


I wasn't totally in love with these Fiona sandals, $40 at sale; $50 at Endless, in a bunch of colors. But one can never have enough summer sandals, especially ones with slight heels, and I love red shoes, and so: purchased. Yay!

Watercolor Skirts

Jeez, these things are everywhere, huh? Check out the beaut I snagged today at the Twinkle by Wenlan sample sale. It made me feel like a lady, even though I was trying it on over my Old Navy jeans.



Twinkle by Wenlan Spin and Twirl Skirt in Yellow Art Class, $141 for you; $50 for me. I win!

Faryl Robin Sample Sale: Resistance Is Futile

I tried not to go. I really did. I said to myself, "You don't need new shoes." But, truth is, I probably do! It's a new season (summer in NYC, apparently), and many of my old sandals have seen better days. And so: shoe sample sale! I got two uber-practical pairs of sandals which seem comfortable, have heels of moderate height and above-average cuteness, and rang up at $49 each. Why the hell not?


Faryl Robin "Dakota," $199 retail. This is going to be a staple of my wardrobe. Is it possible I don't have a pair of decent black wedges?? Well, I do now.



Faryl Robin "Elise," $199. The ones I got were uniformly taupe, although they did have this pair, with the peach and citron straps. I thought taupe would go with more stuff. Love that heel!

They also had most of the other spring styles available, most of them for $49 but a few for more. Lucky 7s can peruse the boot section as well. This is one instance in which being average pays off: The sale is ONLY for sizes 7, 8, and 9. It runs through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 200 Park Ave. South, Suite 1610. NEW YORK CITY BABY!

Charlotte Ronson New York Sample Sale!

It's that time of year again -- the Charlotte Ronson sample sale!

Wednesday, December 2 - Friday, December 4, 2009
10am-7pm

1071 Ave of the Americas, Suite #301
Between 40th and 41st Streets

Hayden-Harnett: The Love Affair Continues

With a $400 security-deposit check in hand from a recent vacation rental, a.k.a. free money, I headed on down to Nolita at lunch today for the Hayden-Harnett studio and warehouse sale. And, as usual with one of their sales, they give you good price! One girl (possibly from Racked?) was doing some serious reporting, using her iPhone's recording feature to take notes on the cost of seemingly every single item in the store, a practice that would seem to miss the point: shoppping! (Hope you got something, intrepid reporter!) Rest assured that although the store is small and there doesn't seem to be the volume of stuff as at previous sample sales, there are deals: wallets for $40, dresses for $70, leather bags for $100 and up. My loot:


Hayden-Harnett Athena tote, regular price $548; sale price $219. I've been coveting a gorgeous gray bag for a couple of years now, and this one fits my criteria, which is basically: big and beautiful. It has no fewer than three compartments and plenty of pockets. And the cherry on top? The lining, in the "Boudoir" print, which you might recall I bought in scarf form a while back:



My other purchase was a gorgeous, classic black tote—again with a wowee lining:



The Hayden-Harnett Athena tote, regular price $464; sale price $186. I love the large outer pocket, the rivets, and most especially the swirly lining in bright green, blue, and white. Absolutely gorgeous, and perfect for work. And these bags will last me years, maybe even "forever" as the salesgirl assured me.

I'm almost tempted to check out the selection at the Greenpoint store....

Anyone else going? If you do, let us know about your scores!

Built by Wendy Sales Again

The selection for the latest Built by Wendy sale appears to be extremely limited online, but maybe the real-life sale will have more to choose from. Perhaps not, though: Doesn't look like an actual sample sale, since it goes on for two freakin' months, supposedly. Anyway, my picks:




Grid tennis dress, $82.50 (down from $214). It also comes in chambray for $99 and supercute navy with green trim for $107. Not sure how effective those butt pockets would be for holding tennis balls though....um.


99 Red Balloons dress, $138 (down from $198).





Patio stripe sport tank dress, $94 (down from $188).

One beef: Don't tell me to wear a slip. Line your dresses! I don't pay $282 retail to have the outline of my thighs visible, thanks. (Actually, I don't pay $282 retail, generally, ever, but that's not the point.)

New Yorkers, here are your details:

When: Sale starts Wednesday, July 1, through Monday, August 31
Where: Built by Wendy, 7 Centre Market Place (between Broome and Grand streets), 212-925-6538; 46 North 6th Street (between Wythe and Kent streets), Williamsburg, 718-384-2882; or online at builtbywendy.com.

Brian Reyes Sample Sale -- NYC -- TODAY! Tuesday, June 23

Tuesday, June 23, 8am—7pm.
304 Hudson St between Spring and Vandam Sts, fifth floor (212-488-3800).
Up to 70% off Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 womenswear, shoes, and belts

Anyone been yet? Report back plz!

Doucette Duvall June Sample Sales In New York City!

Get thee to Doucette Duvall's NYC sample sales to score one if not several of their gorgeous versatile yet super stylish dresses. GO GO GO!

thursday, june 25th
at lancome boutique in nyc
201 columbus avenue at 69th street
noon to 8pm
*with jewelry by keri starker

tuesday, june 30th
at butterfly studio in nyc
149 fifth avenue, 2nd floor
5pm to 8pm

Sample Sale SCORE: Notte By Marchesa Gown!

DOOOODS! I was g-chatting with Lani of Sugar Rock Catwalk (g-chatting makes us sound like we did something DIRTY... or like we're gs...), and I was SO MAD at her because she posted this HUGE round-up of New York City sample sales --- gr gr GRRRR!... And I showed her the result of the Marchesa sample sale I went to back in February. It's the reason I REALLY shouldn't go to sample sales... Because...
I got THIS amazing Notte By Marchesa leopard-print dress (last one in my size -- and it fit, but barely) for $250... Now that is a LOT of fucking cash, don't get me wrong/ believe you me, whatevs, BUT, um... it was originally $1265, so I mean, technically I saved $1015... Right? Right? I also will probably wear it to my rehearsal dinner. Which might be at a pizza place. So?

Private Sample Sale: Foley + Corinna Bags

Not sure if this is still going on (sorry dudes - late pass), but Foley + Corrina in the Lower East Side is (was?) having a private handbag sample sale. Call 'em up at 212-529-2338 to see if you can get an appointment to check out what's left of their selection of bags at 50 - 75% off.


I wouldn't be mad at their Mid City Tote in Ombre for like $200 or so. (Normally it's over $400.) Anyone gone? Went? Lemme know!

Charlotte Ronson Sample Sale: She Shops, She SCORES!

NYCers, get thee to the Charlotte Ronson sample sale. You WILL NOT leave sorry. Or emptyhanded.

Stuff I got:
Bijou espadrilles -- AVEC pyramid studs! For $30! Whut? This will be my FIRST foray into espadrilles and/or wedges. I'm skeeered! White ones available at 6pm.com.


Denimy motorcycle jacket. Originally $279. Sample sale: $50. It's a little big, but whatevs. The asymmetrical zipper = win.


For real-cute embroidered top, except I got it in heather grey, and I'll somehow be able to resist the urge to pull it up and reveal my navel. Somehow, I'll just be able to do that. I think it was like $15! Srsly!


Charlotte Ronson sample sale:
Wednesday, May 27th through Friday, May 29th
10am—7pm
1071 Sixth Ave between 40th and 41st Sts, suite 301 (212-643-4810)

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale: New York City, May 6 - 10

Run, don't walk to score some sweet Rebecca Minkoff bags at the New York City sample sale, going on now. It's the RIGHT thing to do.

Deets:
Wednesday, May 6 - Sunday, May 10
10 - 8
33 W 17th Street between 5th and 6th

Not in spending mode? "Windows" shop (get it?) -- check out photos of Rebecca Minkoff's Fall 2009 apparel and handbags, and check out a few of my favorite Rebecca Minkoff bags, mmmkay?

Delman Sample Sale

Juwanna check out the Delman sample sale?

Flat Sandals, Gladiators. Metallics, Ballets and more.

All shoes $89 to $109 up to 75% off retail

Wednesday, May 6th and Thursday, May 7th 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday, May 8th 10:00 AM - 3:00PM

145 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
(6th - 7th Avenues)

Metallic Gladiators and Sandals – originally $295, at sale $89

Printed Floral Flats – originally $295, at sale $89

Supple Leather Wedges – originally $350, at sale $89

Brightly Colored Classic Ballet Flats – originally $195, at sale $89

Snakeskin Heels – originally $365, at sale $109

Save Fashion! Go Shopping! In Port Authority!

For once in your life you can pick up something at Port Authority besides crusty sandwiches and used prophylactics! You really need to go check out Save Fashion -- a month-long pop-up shop/ hardcore sample sale of stuff by real designers you actually really love and usually can't afford/ justify paying for. And by "you," I mean "I."

When I stopped by the launch party, I saw amazing Charlotte Ronson pieces for $30 (I kept turning the hang tags over, looking for extra 0s), VPL, and gorgeous Wren pieces for around $70, if memory serves me. Rick Owens tanks are just $28. Ridick, right?

Currently Save Fashion's lineup is all women's stuff, but men's clothing is coming soon.

Here the lineup of designers for week 1:

A Peace Treaty

Alice Ritter

Boy/Band of Ousiders

CARDIGAN by Lynne Hiriak

Catherine Holstein

Charlotte Ronson

Elise Overland

Filippa K

Gryson

Jeffrey Monteiro

Lerario Beatriz

Lyn Devon

Madewell

Melissa Shoes

Rachel Comey

Steven Alan

Victoria Bartlett/VPL

Earnest Sewn

Sophomore

Wren

Save Fashion is located at 641 8th Avenue (NW corner of 41st)

Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat 10-9pm
Thursdays, 5-9pm Sundays, 11-7pm