Periodically, we wander the shoe department flipping over assorted shoes and shake our heads from the prices. A simple pump for $1600 is downright offensive. We've never been one to compromise and neither should you.
It was the quality of Qüero shoes that caught our eye while walking past their pop-up, at the Refinery Hotel, in the Garment District, but it was the price that sealed the deal. From first sight, we knew that Qüero was offering something really exceptional at a price point we didn't think was possible.
We soon came to learn that Qüero men's and women's shoes are handmade from the top factories in Spain, which matches or surpasses what you would find at most luxury stores but at a fraction of the price. Each style utilizes the highest qualities of leather from France, Italy and Spain and all the shoes are hand stitched and not glued. Could you imagine finding that type of quality that retails from $185 to $295?
Get this: Before going back to their headquarters, the Qüero team will be hosting a sample sale of all remaining shoes and offering amazing discounts. Every shoe at the sale will be priced at $99. Be sure to check out the gorgeous men's loafers and oxfords. We also love women's slides and lace-ups.
The best part is that Qüero shoes are incredibly comfortable. After all, should any man (or woman) would ever endure style over comfort? As a matter of fact, the brand offers a comfort quality refund guarantee. You can't beat that.
The sale will run from Monday to Wednesday. If you don't find what you desire at the sample sale you can use the code MadSpy and save 20% off your custom order. A vast majority of Qüero customers return to purchase more. We could see this becoming an addition but at this price point we would consider it a gift.
Qüero Shoe's Sample Sale
Monday, June 3 through Wednesday, June 5
10am to 6pm
63 West 38th Street
We were just informed that starting Thursday, Bergdorf Goodman begin a promotion where designer discounts are an additional 25% off. The promotion translates to deeper reductions than a second markdown. For instance, clothing that is currently 50% will be 63% off and shoes and handbags that are reduced 40% will be discounted 55%.
Lucky thing we spent the afternoon scouting Bergdorfs in anticipation of the second markdown. You can click here to see pictures of what we found still available at the store. As this news became available we couldn't help ourselves from shopping online.
Among the shoes, we were very surprised to spot these Manolo mules is $270 from $645. If you haven't grabbed a pair of Hangisis, now would be the time. You don't often find them for $460 from $1025. Get them now, while sizes remain.
This promotion will only run through Tuesday, June 4. We suggest you load up your cart this evening and pull the trigger once the sale goes live. Then head over to Bergdorfs to see if you find anything better.
Today Neiman Marcus started an online promotion where clearance merchandise is reduced an extra 25% off. This sale doesn't include the most recent markdowns but has a lot of past season merchandise discounted up to 80% off. It's a little hard to find the correct section on the site but you can click through right here for an "easy pass."
We might be getting ready for Summer but this Alanui cashmere sweater is perfect for a day like today or when the beach air turns chilly. It's normally $3200 but comes to $612. This Shoshana dress is ideal for the beach and comes to only $69 from $375, an Acynetic jagged-edge denim skirt is only $42 from $225 and these Talitha silk print pajama-style pants are pretty perfect for the beach too for $117 from $630. Actually there is a lot from the Talitha Collection that would be a perfect summer wardrobe addition, especially at 80% off.
Among the shoes, we found these rose gold Prada sandals reduced to $216 from $590, Saint Laurent wedge heels for $223 from $1000 and Manolo cap-toe ankle strap pumps for $299 from $815. Take note, most of these shoe styles only have one or two sizes available. We suggest sorting by your shoe size before you start to scroll. The only bag worth mentioning is this Balenciaga market bag that's $460 from $1250. We aren't even sure it as worth the mention but it's a good markdown.
This extra discount promotion will run through May 31. Starting in early June, we will see more designers added to the seasonal markdown. There won't be an official second markdown but all sale merchandise will be an additional 25% off starting June 9....
The Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale is back. This is Nordstrom's biggest sale of the year. The discount is 50% off most all Spring and Summer merchandise. The sale only runs through June 4 (thereafter another markdown begins).
Some items may not be discounted as much as other department stores but some brands are reduced even more. Nordstrom is also notorious for price matching. If you see an item priced less at another store make sure to contact customer service and Nordstrom will match the price in most situations.
Since Nordstrom added more luxury designers it's become a great place to find things that might be gone from other retailers. We were very surprised to find this classic floral print Gucci dress and double-G silk blouse reduced 50% off. There are also a few Gucci bags and shoes on markdown. This "Guccy" crossbody is $1200 from $1800 and Yankee slides are $590 from $980.
It's sale season-cum-Summer and just because everyone has headed out of town, doesn't mean the discount hunt comes to an end. So while you're sipping your rosé, you can browse the hottest sale items on the internet.
You can scroll through the slideshow below to see some of the most wanted sale items and find a full list of available holiday weekend discounts. As always, shoes and handbags are a hot commodity but uptown girls will never underestimate the value of a great dress.
Bloomingdales Deal: Take an extra 20% off to 50% off select sale & clearance items and $50 gift card when you spend $200 on regularly priced merchandise Ends: May 27 Favorite Item:Burberry "Tisci" Logo Baseball Cap
Most stores have already started their first markdowns on contemporary and luxury lines but there are always a few brands that hold off on discounts. Starting today, you can begin to buy sale merchandise from Christian Louboutin.
Louboutin discounts are 40% off just about everywhere, including the boutique, Bergdorfs, and Barneys. The only exception is Nordstrom and non-Manhattan Saks Fifth Avenue stores which are both offering discounts of 30%.
Traditional department stores aren't offering online discounts. As a matter of fact, most retailers removed the sale styles from their online selections. Don't worry, you can pop-over this way browse pictures of the entire sale selection from the Madison Avenue Christian Louboutin boutique and Barneys. We also found Louboutins discounted 45% off at Century21.
The sale officially went public today. We don't know when markdowns will be put into effect online but we will be sure to keep you posted.
Anyone with an active email address has been bombarded with markdown deals. Most sites have sales of up to 50% off but discounts vary from item to item. Below is our breakdown of online sales.
We also scoured each site to find the best pieces of the season on sale. Below each retailer, we highlighted some of the best pieces of fashion on their site. You can also scroll through the images below to visually see all of our favorites and click here to see even more. Let us know in the comments if you think we overlooked any of your favorite shopping destinations or if there is an item we omitted.
FarFetch Discount Amount: Up to 50% off Don't Miss: Loewe Mini straw bag ($950 from $1190) Valentino Case Bag ($1830 from $3045) Suecomma Bonnie crystal buckle "Birks" ($332 from $500) Off White Industrial belt ($135 from $270) Report Card: C+ Farfetch isn't really taking sale season seriously yet. Lots of items are from last season and not discounted nearly enough. Items from this season can be found on other sites for much less. We think Farfetch can do much better.
MatchesFashion Discount Amount: Up to 50% off Not on sale: Gucci, Golden Goose Sneakers, Current season Prada
Don't Miss: Fendi- Fila Kan I ($1883 from $2690) Burberry Trench ($1386 from $1980) Balenciaga Logo Sweatshirt ($626 from $900) Balmain tee ($165 from $275) Report Card: B+ We were really excited when we saw runway pieces from Burberry included in the markdown but they seem to have removed them from the sale section. The Logomania pieces from Fendi are good and so is the Balmain selection, which includes some classics.
Moda Operandi Discount Amount: Up to 50% off Don't Miss:
Almost everything Prada discounted 50% with this link and using the code SECRET50 Prada bucket hat ($115 from $330) Prada tie-dye sweater ($600 from $1200) Givenchy bag ($1134 from $1890) PVC Boyy Bag ($508 from $725) Report Card: B You don't shop M'O for the trends, shop M'O for the Fa-Shun! It's hard to compare the discounts to other retailers because their selection is so different. Many of our top picks were already sold out. We suggest waiting for another markdown before you finalize your looks.
Net-A-Porter
Discount amount: Up to 50% off Don't Miss: Prada wicker bucket bag ($685 from $1370) Fendi Tee ($462 from $770) XXS Balenciaga Techno bag ($925 from $1850) Jacquemus pumps ($325 from $650) Report Card: A- We were disappointed when the sale broke because Balenciaga and Valentino weren't included. Since then, there has been a major update. We just wish that the discounts on the new collection of Prada was closer to 50% as it is at the boutique and some other stores.
MyTheresa: Discount Amount: Up to 50% off Don't Miss: Balenciaga classic tee ($311 from $445) Balenciaga logomania sweater ($660 from $945) YSL shoulder bag ($1711 from $2245) VLTN hat ($247 from $500) Report Card: B+ There is a lot of great hype-life swag on the site but most discounts are at just 30%. We would be much happier to see discounts hit 40% and 50% off. Some classic pieces are worth snagging right now. We haven't seen classic Balenciaga tees on sale but it's not worth waiting for another markdown if you will wear all Summer.
Ssense
Discount Amount: Up to 50% off
Don't Miss: Gucci Marmont bag ($950 from $1200) Balmain tank ($207 from $510) Fendi Roma sweatshirt ($770 from $1100) Report Card: B+ We found no sale Prada or Valentino but the Gucci bag selection made up for it. We wish the discounts were higher but we will keep an eye out for additional markdown promotions....
The Manolo Blahnik sample sale kicked off this morning without a hitch. Early birds first arrived at the Warwick Hotel starting at 4am. Ticket numbers were handed out at 7:30am, which made many shoppers unhappy because there was no priority given to those who arrived early.
The sale was opened employees, press and at 9:00am and the first group of "public" shoppers was allowed to enter the sale at about 11:00am. Normally, we are not big fans of waiting in lines or waking up with those in a European timezone but this sample sale is always special. (It might even be fun if you plan with a friend.) The best part is that once you get your ticket you can leave and come back.
When we finished shopping, at 11am they were just about to give the first public shoppers entrance. Arriving shoppers were given #50 at that time. We can't say if there will be any selection by the time the #50s enter because some sizes were running slim even when we first arrived at the sale.
This season's inventory is really a mixed bag from assorted seasons and years. Prices start at $125 for styles that are plain, suede, leather or satin. Add some ornamentation and you'll pay $150. Boots cost a bit more but are priced equally as attractive. Shoe booties, styles below the ankle are $200 and those above the ankle are $250. Styles from mid-calf to the knee are priced at $300 and OTKs $400. Prices on boots top out at $500 for OTK styles with fur, lizard, embellished or shearling.
The best selection is for those wearing a size 35 to size 37 and than those wearing shoes larger than a 39.5. The assortment is very small if you don't fall into those categories. We did notice a few Hagisi styles, which is like spotting a unicorn at a sample sale. This season we found it hard to choose between gorgeous novelty style shoes and everyday basics. (Perhaps we've reached our quota for sky-high occasion shoes? Nah!)
Even after with all the crowds, every shopper was admitted by 3:15pm. We are told there was still a tiny bit left over when the sale closed at 4:30. We have a feeling lots of New Yorkers are going to be strutting into Memorial Day with new heels.
Despite the rock-bottom ticket prices of $125, we prefer the boutique's end of season sale. In August, shoppers can score shoes at 75% off and can find a full-size assortment. Did we mention that there is never a wait at the boutique?
Also, most of our local retailers have sales of 40% off and there are lots of Hangisi options. We linked to some above. Feel free to ask questions in the comment section or on Instagram.
Manolo Blahnik
Wednesday, May 22
Doors open at 9am and close when inventory runs out (about 3pm or 4pm)
Warwick Hotel, 65 W 54th St. & 6th Ave, 2nd fl.
CASH ONLY
