Each time Tom Ford shows a collection, fashion reporters say the designer is pulling reference from the glam-90s, the earlier era of Studio 54 and sexy times at Gucci. At some point, it’s time for us all to agree that this is simply the Tom Ford aesthetic. Sexy enough to be worn on a reunion show of Real Housewives and rich enough to be chi-chi-chi Beverly Hills.
This season Tom Ford showed all his staples; sexy suiting for women, long slender gowns, unbuttoned blouses, luxe velvets, and opulent furs. Monochrome ensembles, street-wear inspired hoodies and puffers, and sparkle were among the independent variables for Fall ’19.
The collection also incorporated several Instagram-ready hues, like rich red and blue jewel tones for day and softer lavender and silver for the night. Of course, there were plenty of black ensembles that can slink into the sexy shadows of a Tom Ford orchestrated evening. Our favorite pieces where the gowns that featured oversized chains draped around the shoulders and backs. A new handbag is also imminent utilizing the oversized chain accent. (Click for more pics.)
The designer omitted some of his staple animal prints, like zebra, leopard, and lizard which is an understandable method to avoid self-inflicted clichés. In a new season of Tom Ford, customers can seamlessly embrace their inner hypebeast and hold court in Andy’s clubhouse.
Popular culture has decided that Valentines Day bashing is more fun than celebrating. We couldn’t agree less. Who cares if it’s an imagined holiday to promote retail and antiquated relationship philosophies? It’s February!
We’ve had months of cold and darkness and now is the perfect opportunity to indulge yourself or someone you love. After all, how did shopping and love become an enemy? Below are some items we love and we think you will too:
It’s February! The month of love. We are up to celebrate all types of love; self-love, relationship love, crush love. After all these months of cold and darkness, now is the perfect opportunity to warm the heart of someone you love.
Shopping and love do go hand-in-hand. I love those boots, I love your dress. I love that bag. Go ahead. Go after whatever you love. Below are some of our favorite upcoming sample sales and some sample sale-like online markdowns (and sometimes even better). Don’t forget to share the love.
Illesteva It might be the darkest days of winter but the sun still shines brightly. Head over to the Illesteva showroom to save 60% off. The sale runs through Saturday. The Leonard is priced at $100 and the Leonard II is $120. We expect price cuts towards the end of the week. Be sure to keep your eyes open.
Tuesday, February 5 through Saturday, February 9
Tue to Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm
456 Broadway, 4th Fl
Jocelyn Sample Sale You can brighten up winter with colorful winter coats and accessories from Jocelyn. The designer recently held a sale at her showroom and fur-lined parkas were $750 from $1500, bomber-style puffers were priced around $400 and full fur coats started at about $1500. We expect prices to be a little higher considering this is an off-site sale but there should also be more variety.
Tuesday, February 12 through Sunday, February 17
Tues 11-7pm, Wed to Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-5pm
260 Sample Sale, 260 Fifth Avenue
Paul Andrew Sample Sale
British shoe designer and Ferragamo creative director, Paul Andrew, is hosting a showroom sample sale. Last season, prices started at just $25 and extended to $250. Most flats and heels were priced between $50 and $150. Most boots were $250. Note that there is a sale preview on Tuesday and there will not be restocking. We expect that the most desirable sizes and styles will go fast.
Wednesday, February 14 & Thursday, February 15
11am-6pm daily
41 West 58th Street, 2A
Global Fashions Bargain shoppers will be able to snag up to 80% off European designer clothing, shoes and accessories. During past sales, we found great assortments from high-end designers like Stuart Weitzman, M Missoni, Red Valentino/ Valentino, Marchesa. Stay tuned for more details.
Monday, February 18 through Wednesday, February 20
9am-6pm daily
49 W. 38th Street btwn 5th & 6th
The Manolo Blahnik boutique’s final clearance sale started today and we couldn’t wait to see the treasures with our own eyes. This sale is legendary for the plush discounts that top 75% off. This season, the markdown categories were simplified and start at a higher price point. Don’t worry, it may work out in your favor. We found several shoe styles that price out at about the same as the notorious sample sale.
As usual, the shoes are marked by colored dots. This year, prices start at just $225 and go up to $450 for boots and exotic pumps. In past seasons, the prices started at $175 but locating that rock bottom style was nearly impossible. We welcome the more straight forward pricing.
This season, the $225 level encompasses most shoe styles, including flats, heels and even some embellished styles. The next category is $295, we only saw one or two pairs that were ornate evening shoes. The $350 category contains anything Hangisi, Hangisi-type, and assorted boots. The last category, $450 encompasses exotic skin shoes and ornate boots. (Click for pics.)
There was a line all Monday morning, with waits spanning up to an hour. The atmosphere inside was pleasant despite some hoarding and overbuying. Most customers left with two or three pairs of shoes. There are also several extra salespeople were on hand to assist with the higher volume. We must say that even with the stressful crowds, the salespeople are wonderful, helpful and warm.
Before you go, be sure to be mindful of the hour. The store closes at 2pm to restock and reorganize the merchandise. It’s always a bummer to forget and show up to find locked doors. The sale goes until Thursday.
Manolo Blahnik
31 West 54th Street
Monday-Friday 10:30am-6pm
This Superbowl thing is even more boring than usual and you know you’re in real trouble when the half-time show causes you to recoil. Scrolling designer deals seem to be a much better sport and we know exactly where you should play the field.
Starting Monday NOW, Neiman Marcus is hosting a promotion where sale merchandise is an extra 30% off. In some instances, the most reduced items are already 75% off and the additional promotional discount brings the total markdown to 85% off. It’s really almost hard to believe. It’s part of the reason we are so picky about sample sales.
In the shoe department, the total discount is 80% off on a large variety of shoes. Glitter booties might not be your thing but it’s hard to pass up this Saint Laurent pair for $271 from $1300. They can look cute with a pair of jeans and a pink sweater. These Stuart Weitzman velvet low boots will come to just $120 from $575. Perfect to pair with cropped jeans or pants on a cold day. How can you deny yourself Balmain slides for $103 from $500, Aquazzura mules for $180 from $865 or Valentino hiking boots for $400 from $1600?
We admit, we have a little crush on Gabriela Hearst. The quality of the fabrics and the designs are both so amazing but the prices are insanity. Now is a great time to snag an item that might otherwise jeopardize a mortgage payment. Here is a croc embossed leather trench is $872 from $5000, a corduroy blazer will be $440 from $1300 and a houndstooth long sweater coat will be $440 from $2500. Some other high fashion considerations include a Red Valentino gown for $700 from $4200, Oscar de aa Renta tee dress for $500 from $2900 and a Marchesa lace dress for $530 from $3000.
Obviously, none of us need closet filler at any price but it’s hard to say no an item you know will be useful. We suggest you begin browsing now. The promotion just went live and the best items are already selling out. The sale will run through Tuesday and that will be the last of this season’s big clearance sales.
It’s time to start planning your pregame strategy and we aren’t talking about the Superbowl. We are referring to Manolo Blahnik’s final price markdown!!
Starting Monday, Manolo will begin their last markdown of the season. This four-day sale is the perfect opportunity to stock up on classic and ornate shoes from the designer’s winter collection at up to 75% off.
Sale styles are from the exclusive boutique collection and include a variety of Hangisi styles. Prices are always marked by sticker dots, which usually range from $175 and go up to $450. Last Winter, most shoes and low boots are priced at $250, Hangisi styles were $295 and low-boots and ankle boots were $350.
The boutique sale isn’t quite as inexpensive as sample sale prices but the selection and convince are well worth the cost. We pulled some good Manolo deals you can find online but it’s nearly impossible to find Hangisi styles at prices this low.
The markdown will run through Thursday, February 7. Once the sale ends the Blahnik boutique will close for a breather. The planned re-org will continue until Monday, February 11th, when the store will reopen with the new collection.
The boutique is often congested during this markdown but at least there aren’t usually long lines to get in. The sale will only run for four days and styles and sizes run low quickly. If you’re looking for a great deal we suggest you switch out of your heels and take a run over to the boutique asap.
For a full rundown of past final markdowns, you can check out our past story from last Winter here.
Manolo Blahnik
31 West 54th Street
Abby: 212-582-3007
Monday-Friday 10:30AM-6PM
The boutique will close from 2pm to 3pm to restock (read: for lunch)
Winter sales started a few weeks early and the rest of the season unfolded in a hurried stride. This is usually the time of year that the sale assortment starts to feel like orphaned fashion. This week we were surprised to find that retailers are already beginning to pack it up and ship it out.
Barneys is always the first store to end it’s sale season. If you go to the Madison Avenue flagship, you will find that the racks of sale shoes have been taken away and the few remaining racks of clothing are getting packed up to be sent to BarneysWarehouse. The situation wasn’t much better at Bergdorf Goodman. All the sale shoe racks are gone. The third-floor designer selection of discounted clothing has disappeared. Only F5 sale racks remain.
If you want to do some serious shopping this weekend, we suggest you click online. It’s not such a bad thing considering the freezing temperatures. Below is a comparison chart between Net-A-Porter, MatchesFashion and Moda Operandi. Take note, the Net-A-Porter sale wraps up on Feb 6th, which means it’s the last weekend do some heavy duty scrolling. Enjoy!
