We are just days away from the formidable Black Friday and most retailers have already taken their first markdowns. Today, SSense joined the ranks for the online sale community. The markdown isn't officially live yet but you can use this link to save up to 50% off right now.
This sale isn't known for its explosive discounts but it's a great site to find merchandise that may not be discounted at other retailers. For example, a pink sparkly Balenciaga Bolide-shape bag? Have you seen it anywhere else? It's 15% off. The Jacquemus 'Le Chiquito' bag is sold out at most retailers but is 20% off or $403 from $510. Looking for those Saint Laurent Betty shades? They are 20% off. Fendi tights are $142 from $175.
At this point, you get the idea. Search Ssense for a designer you like and you're likely to find an interesting item on sale. It might not be the biggest savings but sometimes you only need a little discount to make the purchase worthwhile.
It's been nearly 10-days since Nordstrom started presale at its stores and now discounts on designer merchandise are finally live online. You can click here to access the sale now.
Among the clothing, we spotted this Versace silk blouse that's now $700 from $1175. (Don't say we didn't warn you about the Versace takeover coming in the Spring. This top looks gorgeous under a black blazer and could be worn with jeans or dressed up with leather.) This cashmere sweater with hearts from Halogen is wallet-friendly at $100 from $150. We found this plaid La DoubleJ plaid coat at 60% off.
You can click here to see pictures of what we found on sale at the store. Remember, Nordstrom is very good at price matching. Even if the Nordstrom isn't discounted as much as another retailer they will adjust the price to close the deal....
Last year, nearly every store started their markdowns on the same day. It was chaos for the consumer and everyone who watches sales-- mainly us. This season, the discounts have been a little staggered and we are even waiting for more to launch.
Before we go into the weekend, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the status of sales at our local stores. Usually, our comparison sheet is focused on Saks, Bergdorfs, and Barneys. Sadly, we are knocking Barneys off our standard comparison paradigm but will continue to track the liquidation status on its own. This season, we welcome NYC newcomers, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, to the spreadsheet.
Most stores are discounted "up to 50% off" but only some retailers have taken a big cut from this season's top merchandise. For example, Neiman Marcus has some items reduced 50% off but merchandise anything good from this season is reduced just 30%. Below is our famous markdown spreadsheet. Take note, Nordstrom's online sale won't go live until Sunday. For now, we left all its fields as N/A.
After browsing through all the stores we feel that Bergdorfs offers the best selection and deepest discounts. If you're looking for Gucci, however, you'll need to head to Saks or Neimans.
Feel free to reference the Excel schematic for all your weekend shopping needs. In addition, don't miss the Net-A-Porter sale, which is excellent this season and Luisa Via Roma is extending an additional 20% off sale items with the code BF20 as part of a "pre-Black Friday" promotion.
All weekend long we will post great finds on Instagram. If you see something, say something. We need all the eyes searching for that prize.
The Net-A-Porter sale went live early Thursday morning. Usually, this markdown isn't worth much excitement but the online luxury site is a little more aggressive with its markdowns than in past years.
NAP usually starts a fake-break early markdown and then, moments later starts a real sale by adding the big designers and lowering prices. This season, this first cut much better than past seasons but there is still more to come.
The markdown is up to 50% off and most items fall in the 30% to 40% category. The 50% reductions usually consist of heavy inventory levels or leftovers from a prior season. This Balenciaga top is older and a little awkward but reduced 50% off and this Bolide-style bag is still $1500 from $2150. I was surprised to find this Valentino V-Lock bag for 50% off or $1180 from $2375.
Some goodies that I have socked away in my cart include these Balenciaga square-toe BB mules but they aren't on markdown yet. I did spot a YSL small camera bag that's 40% off and comes to $690 from $1150 and this Givenchy GV3 is a good deal at 50% off or about $1300 from $2600.
The shoe section is a lot of sneakers and summer sandals, which were more highly reduced three months ago. There are some good options among the Gianvito Rossi selection. Among the more exclusive designers, there is a wide selection of Fendi options. These PVC flats are $390 from $650.
Bergdrof Goodman's sale is bustling with loyal shoppers as most merchandise is already discounted 40%. Over at the Hudson Yards Neiman Marcus, the story is much different. The sale racks are out but nobody knows or notices. The discounts range from 30% to 50% off.
The Prada sample sale kicked off today to VIPs. This is the first Prada sale in over a decade, which caused lots of excitement among shoppers. Unfortunately, the discounts weren't as high as many attendees were anticipating and a majority of shoppers left the sale left empty-handed.
As we predicted, the markdowns aren't any higher than what you would normally fund during the first markdown at Prada retailers. Handbags and accessories are 40% off and shoes and bags are discounted 50%. On the bright side, there is a selection of merchandise from the most recent Prada collections.
Early VIP shoppers arrived at the sale at about 7:30am. When doors opened at 10am, there was a line around the block. By mid-afternoon, there was no line to get into the sale and very few shoppers inside.
For Women, you will find an assortment of knapsacks, pouches, and totes and small leather goods with this season's lightening and rose motifs. There is also a selection from last winter's accessories, which was a combination of nylon and leather bags with studs. Pieces from the Ouverture and tye-dye collections and studded bags can be found in various sizes. This padded Prada clutch with a small chain is probably one of the best items at the sale and comes to about $600 from $925.
The clothing options, which are 50% off, consist of a lot of items from the Summer tie-dye collection. There are a variety of skirts and dresses. The Miu Miu standouts are snakeskin coats and rhinestone items.
The men's selection contains the same themes as the woman's. In addition, there are some travel items like suitcases on wheels and briefcases. There are also some more sneaker options and nylon coats and jackets.
Photos are not allowed. As a matter of fact, the lenses on everyone's phone were taped. Yes, even the front lenses. The photos above will give you a good idea of what you will find at the sale. Not everything is exact but it's a good start.
Nothing Prada is ever bad but it's hard to endorse running to this sale and waiting on a long line. There are so many avenues for discounted Prada that this should be on the itinerary of only the brand's biggest fans.
We are told that the sale will be restocked throughout the sale dates but we don't expect many new additions. Any price cuts won't be drastic. Feel free to share your questions and observations below. Even if the discounts aren't extraordinary, it's always fun to go to a Prada sale.
Prada Sample Sale
Wednesday, November 20 through Saturday, November 23
10am-8pm daily
150 Greene Street
You thought you were safe while stayed isolated to in-store shopping but online sales are beginning. MatchesFashion and Farfetch started their sales today. Both sites are offering discounts of up to 50% off but most of the best merchandise is reduced by 30%.
The designer offering in MatchesFashion's sale section isn't extensive. Before you dive in, scroll with a critical eye. Most of the sale selection is from prior seasons, which has already been reduced for six months with periodical promotions of an extra 20% off.
The best bets are the Loewe bags reduced 30% and shoes that are 40% off. There are also new logo Burberry bags in the sale section but beyond that, there aren't many handbags worth attention.
Heading over to Farfetch, you will discover more add-to-cart options but this still isn't the full sale deluge. There isn't a lot of Balenciaga in the sale section, which is a big fake-break indication. We did happen upon XXS Shopping tote that's $140 from $1490. Pointy toe mules with belts are $600 from $1220.
In contrast, there is a huge amount of Balmain. We spotted this Balmain tank for 60% off or $155, which is a very good price considering in the US they are close to $400. Here is a sweatshirt for $230 from $575. There is also a lot of Off-White priced at 50% off. A classic Binderclip bag is $488 from $1220 or an Arrows tote is $190 from $275.
This Summer, there is going to be a huge Versace push as a result of J.Lo crashing the Internet. We suggest you prowl the sale section now before the trend catches on. This bucket hat is $188 from $375 and this logo cardigan is $550 from $1100. You can never go wrong with a classic print silk blouse.
Beware, sometimes the same item is listed multiple times on Farfetch. Once you land on an interest, we suggest you do a search just for a particular item to make sure you're carting the one for the best price.
Stay tuned. More merchandise will be added to the sale sections soon.
Update: Access the hidden VIP online sale now. The photos below are all active with the sale prices too.
Bergdorf Goodman is usually the most conservative of our local stores when it comes to markdowns. This season, however, the "Lavender Lady" is not playing coy and offering discounts of 40% off bags, shoes, and clothing. The sale started at the store and becomes official online on Wednesday, November 20NOW.
The main floor of handbags is buzzing with activity as customers revel over the great deals. Valentino bags are 40% off. Balenciaga is 30% off. Loewe is 40% off. Saint Laurant is 30% off and Fendi is 30% off. You can click here to see pictures of what styles are included in the markdown. Our favorite finds were this two-tone Loewe Hammock bag $1500 from $2500 and a mini crossbody Saint Laurent camera bag comes to $700 from $995.
Upstairs in the shoe department, you will find a fantastic assortment of shoes for presale at 40% off. Usually, the first markdown is just 30% to 33% off. The sale selection includes Celine, Christian Louboutin, Fendi, Prada, Manolo, Valentino and so much more. There is no Gucci, Chanel, Dior or included in this markdown.
The presale was bustling and it's hard not to understand why. The selection and prices are great. We believe that sizes will go very quickly once the sale lands online. We suggest that you use our pictures as a guide to what will be included in the markdown and cart it now for easy reference.
