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.

Nordstrom’s designer section is the best it’s ever been. Cruise items are just arriving and it’s the perfect opportunity to grab those fabulously indulgent items. The Gucci assortment is particularly incredible. Check out these rainbow stacked platform sneakers, the classic Gucci mule that have been updated with a slingback and the new version of the Yolo loafer with a wraparound snake motif. We can’t get enough of this Givenchy leather jacket with a detachable racing trim and this Saint Laurent bag with star patches keeps calling my name.

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)

The New York City marathon is over but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t run over to the Andrew Marc sample sale right now. After scoring discounts up to 80% off you can carry home your purchases like a winning medal. Head this way to read all sale the details.

Writing a shopping blog sometimes feels like managing a hedge fund. In both fields we work to identify vulnerabilities in the market. Sometimes that means spotting a trend before prices rise, as was the case when we first spotted the Celine luggage tote, in 2011. (Back then the retail price was just $2000!) Other times that means hitting the streets to scope out great sales or finding new and interesting places to shop.

Most recently, we’ve been haunting the european-based luxury market place, Vestiaire Collective. At any given time, the site boasts 300,000 items from more than 10 countries around that world. The best part is that each item is authenticated and guaranteed, which takes a lot of the risk out of overseas consignment shopping. (Hedge funds specialize in mitigating risk.) We have found the site is particularly great for resourcing for designer items that might be rare, vintage or brands that aren’t as popular in the US.

For instance, we have been stalking Delvaux bags for about the past year. Retail prices normally top $8000 and spotting one locally is like seeing a unicorn. The company launched its first bag at the Brussels World Fair, in 1958, and the bags have been a steady part of royal European fashion. Resale prices for the bags are quite reasonable when they become available. Vestiaire Collective has one of the most steady streams. Here is the brand’s most classic style, The Brilliant, that’s like-new and priced at just $578. The same one is sold at Barneys for $4300.

It doesn’t hurt either that the dollar is super strong. We found these brand new Gucci loafers that come to just $387 and here are a super pair of Princetown Gucci slides for $588. If you’ve been stalking the Chloe bags or Anya Hindmarch, this is a great place to find one within your budget. The currency conversion makes almost any European item more attractive.

Unlike other sites, Vestiaire Collective allows you to set alerts when an item you’re looking for is posted, it lets you track markdowns or send a seller an offer. So, if you’re lusting after a Chanel Boy Bag tote, like me, you can stalk it and track it and place offers. This especially works well if you’re looking for clothing in a particular size. Just think, we have almost all the same tools as a hedge fund manager– minus the Bloomberg terminal.

Take note, items shipping from Europe that cost more than $800 will have import duties and taxes. We suggest trying to negotiate item prices to be less than $800 whenever possible to save on those extra fees.

Madison Avenue Spy readers can take advantage of a super special discount. Right now, you can use the code MADAVESPYVC and save 10% off anything on the site and receive free shipping on purchases over $200. There are no restrictions, but the code does expire on November 10. Let your heart be your compass– but don’t wait too long.

So just when you begin to think that hedge fund managers have all the fun, ask one about their collateralized debt obligation (CDO). We bet dollars to donuts you can have a lot more fun sourcing vintage Chanel jewelry.

Charlotte Olympia is kicking off the Madison Avenue markdown season, on Monday, with a private VIP presale. Shoes and bags from this past pre-fall and fall collections are all now marked down 50%.

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There is a large assortment of merchandise included in presale. Just remember, the store only has one size of each item. You can browse through the sale assortment using this link. Some of our favorite styles include the Mid-Cenutry style sparkle Kitty Flat that are $284 from $565, a lips pouch that’s $270 from $545 and this feline backpack that’s about $920 from $1845.

All sales are final and orders called in over the phone can be secured by payment and shipped to the customer. Take note, the company is hosting a sample sale on November 17. (The details are here.) Decisions. Decisions.

Charlotte Olympia Boutique
22 East 65th Street
Harlina 212-744-1842
harlina.senfleur@charlotteolympia.com