We must say it was a busy Monday. We can't remember the last time we took on a double header. We started the morning investigating the Diane von Furstenberg sample sale and then headed further downtown to Century 21 to sniff out Cire Trudon's luxury candles.
Here's our full report:
Diane von Furstenberg
The first day of Diane von Furstenberg's sample sale always starts off with VIP early access. This is where you normally find scurrying employees, editors, d-list celebrities and, sometimes, some models. Today we found nobody. The sale preview was basically empty, despite the fact that fifty people were waiting outside. The reason could be because the DVF sale has lost a lot of it's excitement.
For starters, there is no sample sale rack, which was always a big hit as everything was priced at $50. The end of an era, we suppose. What you will find are plenty of dresses, jumpsuits and tops from this and last season's collections. All dresses are $100 and wrap dresses are $125. Gowns are $175. Coats, outerwear and leather goods are $250. On the racks we found lots of lace dresses in assorted colors, this silk print wrap dress that hasn't even hit stores yet and a few of these ivory leather moto jackets in assorted sizes.
We think the sale is still very pricey but we know that there will be discounts later in the week. We would suggest holding off until prices make the trip worth while. Considering the quite morning, we don't think it's going to be a problem finding pieces to buy. You can click here to see pictures from our shopping trip and the full price list.
Cire Trudon
Lighting a candle that doesn't properly envelop the room with fragrance feels like setting a $100 bill on fire. That's why we always like to stay loyal to the candle brands that we trust. Cire Trudon has earned a space at the top of the luxury candle hierarchy for their handmade votives and hand-poured waxes. We also love that the fragrances aren't so floral and sweet that it makes you feel like you sprayed perfume at CVS.
Prices are a straight 50% off retail. Classic candles are $50, gifts sets containing three candles are $100, extra large size candles are $275, travel room sprays are $40 and Carriere Freres classic candles are the best deal at just $25. The available fragrances are La Marquise, Pondichéry, Mademoiselle De La Valliere, Solis Rex, Aed El Kader among others.
The inventory isn't huge but prices are a bit high for a sample sale setting. We suggest heading to the sale by Tuesday morning if you're a big fan of the brand's candles. If you're just a casual shopper, you might consider waiting until Wednesday.
It's still 60-degress outside but Thanksgiving is just over a week away. That means that presales and first markdowns are imminent.
We recently learned that Barneys shoppers can begin to presale for the first markdown starting Monday. The sale becomes official and opens to the public on November 21. The discount is 40% across the board-- clothing, shoes and bags for men, women and children. Besides the outstanding selection, 40% discounts make Barneys the best department store to shop for holiday deals.
Among the reduced items are a large assortment of Valentino, Giuseppe Zanetti, Manolo Blahnik and Aquazzura shoes and a larger than expected verity of popular Chloe bag styles. There are also some Saint Laurent bags included in the early markdown but we think that more will be added later on in the holiday season.
You can finally stop stalking the Chloe Drew and Faye bags on resale sites. There are several colors and styles available at a discounted price. A small Drew bag in 'Fresh Blue' is about $1200 from almost $2000 and a Faye bag with fringe is about $1400 from $2450.
Among the Saint Laurent selection is the cross body Kate that's reduce to $1379 from $2290 and the High School chain bag is $1200 from $2000. Other handbag brands included in the markdown are Givenchy,...
Sometimes with very little information we get a hunch that a sample sale is going to be great. That's exactly what happened when we noticed that Zac Posen was scheduled to offer his samples and overstock to the public. We needed to investigate further.
The sale doesn't actually start until Monday, but we were given a sneak peak while the boxes were being unpacked. The inventory is impressive. There are lots of gowns and dresses and everything is priced between 70% and 80% off retail. We found a strapless fuscia cocktail dress reduced to $690 from $3490, a heavy floral tapestry day dress priced also at $690 from $4450 and a less formal floral silk dress for $490 from $2690. (Click here for pictures.)
It's always our belief that you should keep a few gowns in your closet even if they aren't worn often. A wise shopper will bank a gown and wear it as needed rather than risk spending five-figures for the need-it-now situation. This is a perfect opportunity to get ready for the winter party season.
Take note, the sale is taking place at the handmade bag manufacturer Hayward. Prices are 70% off retail and there is a variety of beautiful box bags and cross bodies. Definitely worth a look but the gowns are certainly the highlight.
If you can't make it to the sale, we've scoured the internet for similar discounts. Happy holiday readying!
Zac Posen Sample Sale
Monday, November 14 through Wednesday, November 16
10am-6pm
33 East 33rd Street (12th Floor) between Park & Madison
Most people have been so distracted by the election that shopping has been brushed aside. As part of the back-to-reality process we started to surf online stores while still keeping an eye on CNN. We were excited to find that Nordstrom is hosting a Fall clearance sale where discounts are about 40% off.
The limited-time promotion runs through Sunday in stores and online but we suggest you start browsing now before CNN-fatigue sets in. (As if, we all aren't exhausted enough.) These insanely popular Stewart Weitzman thigh-high boots are now $518 from almost $800. We are surprised to see them online at all since some stores have sold out.
We just love the assortment of brightly colored coats. Here is sunny yellow coat from Lafayette 138 that's $688 from $1150, here we found the perfect shade red wool 3/4-length coat and this Max Mara jacquard ombre coat is double breasted and the perfect combination of dress up and cool. It's 40% off and reduced to $890 from $1500.
Among the clothing, our eye keeps being drawn towards bright colors. You can't get much sunnier than this Rag & Bone yellow sweater that's $236 from $400 and these Gucci sunglasses that are $200 from $340 and make the perfect cheery combination.
As the saying goes, 'See something, Say Something.' If you see an item for less at another store, we suggest calling Nordstrom operators and they will price match and even sometimes even add an extra shopping incentive. It's just a nice little perk....
The holiday season isn't technically underway but that doesn't stop the Salvation Army bells from ringing. We all know that means the pressure to buy gifts for everyone isn't too far away. Before you go for broke pleasing and impressing, we suggest you take these final Fall moments to shop for yourself.
Over here is the Roksanda dress that Maliania Trump wore during the RNC convention. It's no doubt a little piece of political history. You'll be sure to be the most fashionable person, at even the most avant-garde gallery party, wearing this Junya Wantanabe 3D cut top or this Mira Mikati rocket themed coat. The matching sunny flower skirt will warm even the chilliest of souls.
As always, online shoppers should take advantage of Nordstrom's great customer service, which features free shipping and free returns. If only everything about the holiday season was as easy to shop as Nordstrom.
November is always a premium time for sample sales. Next week is turning out to be extra buzzy with an abundance of noteworthy announcements. There are so many fantastic options that it's going to be hard to choose which ones to attend. Read below to see our highlights and plan your shopping strategy.
Be sure to follow along on Instagram for inside pictures and real time updates.
J.W. Anderson The J.W. Anderson sale technically starts this weekend but we couldn't help from wanting to take advantage of getting some of the Brit designer's high fashion for low prices. The sale will include womenswear, menswear, shoes, bags, jewelry, and accessories priced up to 70% off. Perhaps there will be steeper discounts as the sale comes to a close.
Saturday, November 12 through Monday, November 14
Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-5pm, Mon 10am- 4pm
Bryant Park Hotel, 40 W. 40th St. 24th Fl (btwn 5th & 6th)
Credit Cards Only
Armani The Giorgio Armani sample sale has always had a very large turnout. There are often waits to get in from the start of the sale and the crowds tend to thin later in the week. There are also lots of discounts as the sale draws out but we've also waited and been disappointed by the lack of attractive merchandise. It's really a crap shoot. Expect to find clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry and accessories along all the designer's lines including, Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Collezioni and Armani Jeans.
Saturday, November 12 through Wednesday, November 16
Sat & Sun 9am-6pm, Mon & Tues 9am-7pm, Wed 9am-5:30om
Soiffer Haskin- 317 W. 33rd St.
Cire Truden Move over Dyptique, Cire Truden is lighting up the season as the most popular fragrance sale of the season. This is the brand's first sample sale. We are sure it will draw large crowds who want to stock up on luxe holiday gifts.
Tuesday, November 15 through Thursday, November 17
8am-9pm daily
Century 21: 21 Dey St. (btw Broadway & Church St.)
Diane von Furstenberg The queen of all sample sales is back. Last season, was the first sample sale after a long hiatus. The outcome wasn't thrilling -- there wasn't even a rack of the designer's famous samples. We are hoping the winter sale will be better. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, November 15 through Saturday, November 19
Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-7pm
260 Fifth Ave. (btwn 28th & 29th)
Zac Posen We haven't been to a Zac Posen sale in ages and we must say we've missed them. Years ago, we found gowns marked just $200 and even had a run-in with the designer. Lets hope that he will lend his styling assistance to shoppers again.
Monday, November 14 through Wednesday, November 16
10am-6pm
33 East 33rd Street (12th Floor) between Park & Madison
Alexander Wang Fans of Alexander Wang go crazy when the designer hosts his famous sample sales. It's not ever year and when it's announced shoppers get excited. You can always count on super merchandise at great prices. At the last sale, handbags started at just $200.
150 Greene St. (btwn Houston & Prince St.)
Tuesday, November 15 through Saturday, November 19
9am-8pm
Charlotte Olympia We couldn't be more excited to grab shoes from the quirky Brit. At the last sale, Kitty flats were $250 and more ornate style boots ran up to $600. The best styles get snatched up quickly. If you want the best selection we suggest you don't hesitate-- there isn't any restocking.
Thursday, November 17
11am—7pm
Roosevelt Hotel, 45 E. 45th St. (Vanderbilt Suite)...
Our August suntans are almost fully faded, which means it's time to get vacation plans underway. Part of proper planning requires that everyone in the family to be outfitted correctly in new clothing. After all, nobody wants to pack a faded bathing suit from the past summer.
Our entire family is partial to the playful swimsuit prints of Vilebrequin. In conjunction with the Andrew Marc sample sale, Vilebrequin is offering their French luxury resort wear at up to 80% off. The sale will feature a wide assortment of high-quality beach appropriate items for women, men, boys and girls starting at just $20.
Expect to find swimwear, cover-ups, shorts, tees, polos, button down shirts, hats and beach bags. We are told that there will be no restocking. So that means it wouldn't hurt to get your beach bum over to the sale right away.
Vilebrequin Sample Sale
Through Sunday, November 13
Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat& Sun 10am-6pm
401 Seventh Ave @33rd St. (Penn Plaza Pavilion)
It's not too often that we find discounts pushing 80% anywhere before Thanksgiving. Outside of discount stores, these types of markdowns are usually saved for temporary special promotions. We were very happily surprised to find a large assortment of merchandise at the UK-based Matches discounted a full 80% off.
Head this way to browse pages of items selling for just a small fraction of their retail price. Here is a lace trimmed Christopher Kane skirt that's just $165 from $916, a Marco de Vincenzo top is $185 from $1029 and these Tabitha Simmons heels are $196 from over $1000.
Among the items that are less discounted, but no less desirable, we found this Anya Hindmarsh tote that's reduced 60%. It's still not inexpensive but we've loved the style since it debuted this past Summer.
Matches offers free delivery and returns and even this highly reduced merchandise can be shipped back if it isn't right. That's even better than a sample sale-- and some boutiques-- where you have no recourse.
