Fine cashmere specialist, Amicale is hosting a sample sale where a vast array of cashmere and cashmere blend items are priced significantly under retail. Customers can choose from an assortment of hats, gloves, scarves, wraps, throws, and sweaters for men and women.
Prices start at $20 for cashmere scarves and top out at $135 for large cashmere blankets. Some of the highlights included boxed items from John Varvatos, Hicky Freeman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus. There are even a few higher-end brands, which we've been restricted from naming.
In the men's sweater 'room' there is a rack of samples where most items are priced at just $50. Other standouts include a men's cashmere quilted jacket for $95, cashmere baby blankets for $50, women's cardigans and loungewear for $95 (or three for $250) and hats with fur poms for just $40. Cashmere scarves are priced at just $40 (or three for $100) and many still had retail tags with prices upwards of $250. Click here to see lots of pictures from inside the sale.
This sale is a wonderful opportunity to pick up a luxurious item for yourself but it is really ideal if you need to buy gifts. Boxed items are ideal for office gifts and an extra something nice to accompany a holiday tip. You can click here to see some of our gifting suggestions.
We suggest you attend this sale during the first or second day because the best items tend to go quickly. It's best to buy extra. After all, who hasn't left a hat or gloves in a cab.
Amicale Sample Sale
Wednesday, December 4 through Friday, December 6
Wed & Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-3pm
148 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor
Chanel is one of the hardest brands to track during the markdown season. The company is secretive and riddled with rules that are always changing. This season, Chanel is hosting a private sale of last year's merchandise with a discount of 40%.
Chanel sales are comprised of merchandise over one year old and this season's markdown will follow the same formula. The sales selection is comprised of Pre-Fall 2018, Fall "Act 1" 2018, Fall runway 2018 and some Coco Neige styles from late winter 2018 deliveries.
The sale will officially go live on Friday, December 6. Some stores are allowing presale. Other stores won't allow the merchandise to even be previewed until Friday. Before you get too excited, there are no bags included in the markdown. Most of the sale selection is comprised of clothing. There is also a bit of jewelry and shoes.
Today's snow slowed down our "fieldwork" but we were able to gather some pictures. You can click here to see what we put together. We will be sure to update this post as we assemble more details. Below is a list of salespeople who specialize in Chanel.
This is usually my favorite post of the year. I like to reveal the items I shopped and purchased for the upcoming holiday season. Thie idea is to help inspire your seasonal shopping. I usually pick up a few gifts for my girls, something nice for my husband and a few nice things for myself.
This year, however, I got NOTHING. I didn't' make a single purchase all weekend. As far as I'm concerned, Black Friday sales were a flop. I'm not even sure what I will buy my kids for the holidays because they don't need another Brandy Melville sweatshirt or anything Glossier (20% off now).
Maybe Cyber Monday will feel more inspiring. The kids will be in school and I can focus on my scroll. For now, I've listed a few places I'm browsing. I will continue to update the post if purchases are made and promotions emerge.
Bandier Warehouse Sale
Deal: Extra 50% off a selection of sale merchandise
Code: n/a- extra discount is taken at checkout
Considering: Monrow sweatpants $50 from $155
The holiday spirit is in the air. There are festive lights, cheerful music and, yes, plenty of sample sales. The shopping sale calendar will hit a crescendo over the next three weeks. It's a good thing because it's the season of giving. There is no better time to buy holiday gifts for yourself and loved ones. Also, keep New Years in mind. It never hurts to pick up something sparkly, especially when there is a great discount.
Below is a list of what we believe to be the best bargain bonanzas of the month. You can continue to check back here and we will add updates commentary. Feel free to ask questions, leave feedback and comments below. You can also follow along on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook to get quick and immediate updates.
Amicale Cashmere Sample Sale Stock up on great gifts and everything you need to stay warm during the darkest and coldest months of the year. Shop from a variety of lush color cashmere capes, hats, gloves, scarves and throws. Prices usually start at just $25 and include lots of boxed gift-ready items that anyone on your shopping list will adore.
Wednesday, December 4 through Friday, December 6
Wed & Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-3pm
148 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor
Marc Jacobs Sample Sale Marc Jacobs's creativity is endless and his collections have been overlooked for several seasons. After opening a throwback 90s pop-up on Madison Avenue, it's only a matter of time until he is trending on Instagram. We think this will be a great sample sale and suggest you take advantage of this sleeping giant. Discounts will be up to 85% off and the sale will include Marc by Marc Jacobs and Little Marc.
Tuesday, December 3 through Sunday, December 9
Tue 9am-7pm, Wed & Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri & Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-5pm
260 Sample Sale, 150 Greene Street
Ulla Johnson Expect to find a large assortment of Ulla Johnson's boho-chic dresses, tops, and sweaters at the upcoming sample sale. The sale will also feature the designer's shoe line. Last season, this sale was packed with shoppers and there were some lines during the opening hours. We suggest waiting it out until day two. During the course of the sale prices were discounted an extra 25% off. You can click here to see the price sheet from last season.
Thursday, December 12 through Sunday, December 15
Thurs-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-5pm
151 Wooster Street
Black Friday was a bust. We were much more entertained by Singles Day, which was already two weeks ago. All weekend we've been awaiting Bergdorf Goodman's holiday weekend promotion to start on Sunday. It's un-officially on and you can use this link to access the extra 25% off. (Items are continually added.)
Like most of the weekend, promotions this sale is overhyped too. There is only an assortment of the merchandise included in the extra markdown. The highlights are a scattering of Givenchy and Balenciaga bags. There are no women's designer shoes included in the extra discount promotion.
If you have a warm-weather vacation planned you can do a size sort and find a few pieces to pack for fun in the sun. This Petersyn maxi dress is $178 from $1600 and this Jonathan Simkhai top is $77 from $300.
Bergdorfs will have a one day sale on Dec 2. Be sure to mark your calendar for the official second markdown on December 12. We are quite certain that sale will be better than this.
The kick-off to Black Friday weekend has already started. There are so many places to spend your money it's hard to choose. Our official guide to Black Friday got so long that we are nearly lost in the sea of shopping options.
To expedite your shopping weekend, we chose three of what we believe to be the "best" sites to shop. Take note, that usually the best selection of merchandise isn't the most discounted and sites with the steepest markdowns don't usually have the best selection.
Below are three sales we highly recommend, along with a few of our favorite grab and go items. In this case, they might be more lust-anguish-and-quickly-check-out-before-overthinking. (Warning, editorial decisions are subject to change and there is a chance we can update this post with alternative options.)
Moda Operandi The Moda Operandi sale offers a great selection of already reduced merchandise and the extra discount provides big savings on a great assortment of high fashion items. Sizes are patchy among the merchandise already reduced 50% off. We found this Zimmerman floral print jumpsuit that comes to just $185 from $530 and there is a full range of sizes available. The site also launched a private sale of Prada and Miu Miu, which you can access here. There are lots of great options for men too! The discounts are 50% off clothing and 40% off shoes, bags, and accessories.
Deal: Extra 30% off Sale
Code: X30 (Prada / Miu Miu Private code: PRIVATEX
Dates: Through Dec 2
Farfetch
Shopping on Farfetch can feel like shooting at a moving target. Each product listing can represent a dozen retailers. As each item sells, the price changes according to the different store that's being represented. We suggest you check back often as there is always something new and different popping up. This Graffiti Balenciaga bag is about $1000 from $2150 and a Balmain tank is $165 from $395 at US stores. Code: FFX30 Dates: Until Dec 26
MatchesFashion
The discounts on MatchesFashion aren't the deepest but the selection is still very good The additional 10% off isn't restricted, which limits the disappointments. This Balenciaga Shift bag is a great price, considering we haven't seen it on sale at many other retailers and this Khaite blazer is a stunner at about $800.
Deal: Extra 10% off sale
Code: Extra10
Dates: Until Dec 26
As Thanksgiving Day approaches it's hard to choose between cooking, eating, and shopping. You can guess our predication. This holiday season is turning out to be the most competitive since 2009. Black Friday is already upon us and the Thanksgiving floats haven't been inflated. Good thing that we have all the inside scoop and can lend you a little preview of the markdowns to come.
European online luxury retailers seem to take Black Friday even more seriously than American retailers. Head to Farfetch to save an additional 30% off sale prices. Our favorite Lake Como boutique, Tessabit is offering an additional 20% off sale prices. We are also looking forward to Sunday when Bergdorf Goodman will offer an extra 25% off sale merchandise and Intermix will start a savings promotion on Wednesday.
Below are our top picks for Black Friday. We will continue to add information and links to this post as it becomes available. Remember, it's always a good idea to add all your purchase considerations into your cart and edit out the items as sales go live. There are lots of markdowns to come and one of the miracles of fashion is that there is always something new to buy.
It couldn't have been a more perfect afternoon to "sale" down Madison Avenue. The bright sun, changing leaves and ubiquitous sales make it ideal conditions to browse, shop and absorb all the beauty of luxury fashion.
Discounts range from 30% to 50% off at many Madison Avenue boutiques. Most stores are officially on sale but there are a few still holding out until Friday. Historically, department stores are priced better than brand-owned retailers, but this doesn't seem to be the case this season.
Take note, Saturday, December 7 begins the 'Miracle on Madison'. Between the hours of 10am and 5pm, Madison Avenue stores will be donating 20% of all sales to the pediatric initiatives of the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering MSK Kids. There are dozens of participating stores and lots of extra sips and snacks to enhance the holiday shopping festivities.
You can click here to see a full list of participating stores.
Balenciaga
Who is gaga for Balenciaga? Not as many people as last year but still enough to maintain the heat. The discounts range from 30% to 50% off. Most bags are 30%. Shoes are half-off and sneakers are 30% off. Those BB mules we've been eyeing are 50% off. It will look great with Winter white and transition easily into Spring. Click for pics.
Mark 212-328-1671
Christian Louboutin
This is the first season that we remember Christian Louboutin going on markdown at the same time as all other brands. The discount is 40% off on all sale styles. Nothing was jumping off the shelves as we shopped. Frankly, the sale selection is much better at Bergdorf Goodman. We have all the sale pictures over this way.
Jose 212-396-1884
Dolce & Gabbana
Expect to find a fresh bloom of discounts and floral prints at Dolce & Gabbana. The markdown is 40% off on most seasonal merchandise. Be sure to check out the velvet floral print collection. We have an assortment of colorful pictures of the Dolce & Gabbana sale merchandise over this way.
Billy: 212-249-4100
Emilio Pucci
The discount at Pucci is 40% off for the fall and winter collections. There are a few shoes and bags included in the sale. We suggest you browse the large assortment of sale scarves. There are lots of swim items that will be perfect for your Carribean getaway. We also spotted small pouches that come to just $180 and make a great gift. You can click on the jump link to see what we found on sale at Pucci.
Mo: 212-230-1145
Givenchy
Givenchy switched up the store a little and it feels less like a labyrinth with a focal point of Cruise collection bags in the middle. Markdowns are 40% off. There are only two racks of clothing included in the sale but no bags have been reduced. This is an instance where you will do better at a department store. See for yourself.
Karina 212-650-0180
Tom Ford
There is little that Tom Ford doesn't do well and sales aren't discluded. Right now, there is a large assortment of bags, shoes, and clothing all reduced 50% off. The best bet is a clutch that's 50% off and comes to about $700. Here is a picture of the clutch and an overview of what you will find at the store.
Veronica 212-359-0300
Valentino
The Valentino boutique has started its sale. The discount on shoes, clothing and most handbags are 40% off. The sale started last week but there is still a nice selection of options. You can check our pictures here to see what we found. The discount at Bergdorfs is 40% off on bags too and they have a few more classic items than the Valentino boutique.
Neusa 212-772-6969
Zimmerman
This is Zimmerman's first sale cycle on Madison Avenue. The store was surprisingly busy considering that the sale doesn't start until Friday. We are told that nothing from the current collection will be reduced but, instead, items from the past Summer season will be brought back out at a discount. The markdown will only be 30% off but items that were previously reduced will be discounted even more. You will probably do much better shopping from Shopbop.
Annie 212-486-8080
