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October 1, 2012
Inspecting Loehmann’s Back Room
By ManhattanMataHari
Loehmann’s has seriously stepped up the designer clothing game in their Back Room designer area. While we find the prices are anywhere from 40% to 70% off retail (essentially the same as the department stores sales through final markdowns), their selection of current seasonal styles is great. Plus, Loehmann’s is always sending coupons to Insider Club members (it’s free to join) and extra 25% off weekends puts your savings more in the sample sale range.
We stopped by the Loehmann’s in Chelsea to scope the selection. On the accessories floor, fans of Loeffer Randal, Siegerson Morrison and Bruno Magli footwear will fare best. We spotted some $370 Stella McCartney booties, Casadei short boots for $340 and even $160 Charles Jourdan slipper pumps. Overall, they have a pretty extensive selection of boots.
There isn’t much in the handbag department, although we did spot a couple of exotic skin Prada handbags that were around $2000 from $6400. If you have a keen eye, definitely head to the sunglasses section where you can find Oliver Peoples for $160, Chloe oversized frames for $120, $140 Derek Lams, as well as $110 Tory Burch sunnies. Even if the classic styles and colors aren’t usually available, we always find Tom Ford in the mix and this time we found three covetable pairs for just $200.
In the designer Back Room you will see a large selection of Armani suits and some nice evening gowns hanging on the back wall. Upon further inspection we found several lovely Pamella Roland gowns, with long versions for $900 and short for $600. Elegant Naeem Khan and Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti gowns for $400 also surprised us quite a bit.
Be sure not to miss the $400 Dolce and Gabanna suits and D&G trench jackets. Metallic collection label versions are a bit pricier at $600. There is a great selection of outerwear by Brunello Cuchinelli , Akris, Brioni, and Cacharel. We fell hard for a cashmere lined Loro Piana trench that was priced at $1300. There is also a huge section for Valentino, replete with elegant styles of jackets and coats.
For separates, there are three racks of M Missoni mostly around $200, as well as Jean Paul Gaultier, Etro, Escada, See by Chloe and Moschino Cheap and Chic. Be sure to leave plenty of time for browsing since it seems that now Loehmann’s will be filling the designer discount void left behind when Filene’s Basement went under....
September 28, 2012
The It-it: Smoking Slippers
By ManhattanMataHari
While nicotine dependence is definitely not fashionable, smoking slippers are set to replace your go-to ballet flats for Fall. Most versions are a traditional velvet or satin. Others variations incorporate floral designs, embroidery, studs or even eye-catching glitter and gems. Either way, your feet will finally get a fashionable reprieve from the sky-high platform heels of the season without resorting to the same cliche flats that we've been wearing for years.
For a more classic take on the trend we love the purist plush velvet look à la Tom Ford. Charlotte Olympia’s spiderweb embroidered velvet version is cute enough to stay fashionable long after Halloween. Valentino has a more elegant take, incorporating caviar-crystal embellished floral lace over leather. Prada is offering a glitter slipper with their signature namesake hardware.
The best part of this footwear trend are the limited edition collaborations and ability to customize your own pair. Del Toro, which is at the forefront of starting the slipper trend, offers many different iterations of the smoking slipper. Our favorite is the rose embroidered collaboration with fashion week darling Theophilus London, which pays homage to his Tour de Roses concert series.
Palm Beach slipper staple, Stubbs & Wootton even teamed up with J. Crew to release high-end embroidered velvet slippers. Before you make a final decision take note that the Madison Ave J. Crew offers bespoke monogrammed versions. If you go that route you can take advantage of J.Crew's current promotion of free shipping and 25% off with code STYLE25.
The best part about the slipper trend is that they come in varieties that fit almost every budget. Whether you like it or not we are confident that this smoking slippers trend will not going out of style anytime soon....
September 27, 2012
Loro Piana Sample Sale
It doesn't take much of a chill for us to to start thinking of warm sweaters. The time couldn't be better for the upcoming Loro Piana sample sale, which starts this Sunday.
During past sample sales the discount was about 50% off clothing and 40% off shoes and accessories. Just keep in mind that these finaries normally range from $1000 to $3000.
At last year's sale we found scarves ranging from about $300 to over $1200, cashmere coats for about $1500 and sweaters ranging from $400 to about $2000. So even a half-off discount can be a bit more than some customers want to spend.
Loro Piana Sample Sale
Sunday, September 30 to Thursday, October 4
Sun to Mon 9am to 6:30pm & Thurs. 9am to 5pm
Soiffer Haskin, 317 W. 33rd Street (off 8th Ave)...
September 25, 2012
Bloomies Friends & Family
Bloomingdales friends and family will begin Thursday, September 27 and run through Monday, October 1. It's been a while sine we've had a good friends and family sale but we're not sure if this sale really counts as good. The discount is 20% but almost all luxury brands and cosmetics are excluded.
Presale is already underway in stores. Online shoppers can use the code FRIENDS and stack an additional 10% off by registering your email address. When shopping in the store we suggest calling for a manager to arrange for the same additional discount.
Those waiting for the Saks friends and family promotion will need to wait until the third week of October. The discount is the same 20% off and the exclusions are similar....
September 24, 2012
Pucci Madison Opening Oct 15
Pucci's flagship Madison Avenue location will be opening October 15, according to our Spy sources. The boutique, which is in YSL's old location, will be setting the tone for the brand's updated aesthetic.
For some time the Pucci brand has become a bit redundant and waned in popularity. For Fall 2012 the brand's designer, Peter Dundas, took a powerful turn to tone down the flashiness of the brand right in time for the Madison Avenue store opening.
Expect the collection in the new Pucci boutique to be more sultry than you would expect. The Fall 2012 collection fits in perfectly with neighbors Tom Ford and Celine. Of course,there will be lots of house prints too. We just hope the new flagship has some housewares too because sometimes a room needs a pocket of flashiness.
Photo credit: Vogue.com...
September 21, 2012
The Row Sample Sale 70% Off
The Row's first ever public sample sale started today and fans of the brand were thrilled to find that most items were discounted about 70% off. Just be aware, the Olsen twin's fashion designs are as popular as their straight-to-video programing and the line to attend extended surprisingly long.
Our resident The Row expert was thrilled to spot leather pants for $450 from $1500 and a brand classic silk blouse for about $250 from almost $900. Ostrach leather mini-skirts in brown and gray are an absolute show stopper for $2500 from $8500. If there's one item you can't leave without it is the sleek driving gloves, which start at about $95 from a retail price of $325.
Some The Row fans will be excited to see a nice assortment of bags but we prefer other options in a similar price point. Purists can indulge in a Day Luxe tote for $1620 from $5400 or a small shoulder bag for about $1500 from over $5000.
The sale is generally very organized and sizes range from from a tiny-tiny 0 to a still pretty small size 10 or XXS to L. The sale runs through Sunday but we don't anticipate any restocking but there should be price cuts. Don't you love a silver lining?
The Row Sample Sale
Through Sunday, September 23
Fri & Sat 9am to 6:30pm, Sun 9am to 5pm
Soiffer Haskin: 317 W. 33rd Street (off of 8th Ave.)...
September 20, 2012
TJMaxx Filled with Fendi & Lanvin
By ManhattanMataHari
While the Columbus Circle TJMaxx sees a lot of traffic, the Queensboro Bridge store is an underrated treasure trove. It is consistently chock full of designer goodies and tends to be better organized than other stores.
After scoring a Deborah Lippman nail polish upstairs for $6 (retail $18) and headed downstairs, which set us directly across from the jewelry display with some nicely discounted Judith Ripka. While not as cheap as the sample sale, year-round 40% discounted pricing is still pretty good. Candy colored gemstone earrings are $200 to $250 while a large jeweled bracelet is $500.
Moving onto the nearby Runway area, you will find a well stocked selection of designer separates and dresses, as well as outerwear and shoes. We spotted a buttery soft pair of tall Lanvin boots for $600 next to some furry $400 Sergio Rossi booties. It’s nearly impossible to miss the bright yellow tower of Fendi boots ($600) and booties ($400).
Be sure to check out the clothing racks for some great deals. An amazing mod Theysken’s Theory dress is $150, along with knit Catherine Malandrino styles. A sultry La Perla satin and lace number is $130 and M Missoni dresses are $250. Our most surprising dress find was a lovely $400 beaded Valentino evening gown.
The selection of sweater separates for $100 to $150 from Helmut Lang and Vince is great, although a $300 Moschino double blazer caught our eye. Keep alert for Valentino, Escada, Pucci and Tory Burch.
While you're browsing, don't forget to scope the outerwear section. There are loads of nice Dolce & Gabbana jackets for $700 and under. We fell hard for a short $500 Celine cashmere jacket, which is relatively inexpensive....
September 19, 2012
Dolce & Gabbana Sample Sale
The Dolce & Gabbana sample sale starts is stated to start Wednesday at 1pm and an insider tells us there will be a very large assortment of spring 2012 merchandise. The sale is stated to start at 1pm but we all know that means that insiders will be admitted in the morning. (Wink, wink.)
At the last Dolce & Gabanna sale, the most recent merchandise was priced at 50% off. We expect that the markdown will run the same, which would mean that spring 2012 will be 50% off, 2011 will be 60% off, 2010 will be 70% off and anything older will be discounted 80% off. If early shoppers are lucky they might be able to spot some items from the now discontinued D&G line all priced at about $130 or below.
The sale runs through Sunday and markdowns often occur as the end date nears. Don't worry too much if you can't make it to Metropolitan Pavilion for the sale, Dolce & Gabbana has a outlet in Woodbury Common that offers similar discounts all year round.
Dolce & Gabbana Sample Sale
Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23
Wed 1pm-6pm, Tues to Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm
123 W. 18th St. (bet. 6th & 7th Ave.), 5th Fl
Cash and Credit...
