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    YSL Sale IS Live Online

    Hi this is a message for Lila. This is Mike from Saint Laurent. I’m calling you because we are going on sale. So give me a call when you get a chance. The number here is 212-400-xxxx.

    I call back to get the scoop but Mike was with a customer. So I asked the sales associate who answered the phone, “Can you tell me the current markdown.”

    The associate replies, “There’s no markdown. Everything is still full price.”

    I respond, “Then why did Mike just leave me a voice mail about a sale.”

    She answers, “Oh the private sale. I’ll have to put you through to Mike’s mailbox.”

    I leave Mike a message and he calls me back a bit later and says, “Oh Lila, would you believe the sale has started? Most bags are 30% off, many shoes are 50% off and clothing is up to 60% off.”

    And that’s the way it all goes down in the boiler room of luxury fashion. Oh and just an FYI, markdowns at ysl.com are already live.

    Tune in tomorrow for a transcript of a conversation with boutiques.

    Now LIVE: Net-A-Porter Sale Up to 60% Off

    The (real) Net-A-Porter sale went live early Monday morning. The markdown that occurred in November, wasn’t a real first markdown and we can’t say that this new round is exactly what we’ve been craving either. Right now you can click here and save up to 60% off. 



    Most bags are still full price but there are a few new additions that are reduced 30% to 40% off. This Balenciaga XXS Ville is $1174 from $1790, this Givenchy Eden is $1583 from $2700, and this little Yuzefi bag is $158 from $400. 

    The shoe reductions are much better. Here are Saint Laurent low boots that are $766 from $1100, Isabel Marant shearling-lined boots are $586 from $1465, Chloe boots are $610 from $1220, and Ferragamo pointed toe bow heels are $337 from $675.

    Among the clothing, you will find a few more gems. This Tom Ford sweatshirt from the FW 20 runway is $500 from $990, this Victoria Beckham pink sweater is $220 from $440 and Chloe pants are $625 from $1250, and a Balmain blazer is $1377 from $2300. 

    If you don’t see what you like on sale now, we suggest you wait two weeks. Chances you’ll be able to get what you want then. 





    Gift Guide: What to Get the Brearley Girl

    New York private school girls are the most interesting specimen. They have more academic pressure than a first-year law student but many are more entitled than a Goldman senior VP. You can pick a random weeknight and observe them in their natural habitat at Nobu57 or La Pecora Bianca.

    Shopping for these girls is no easy task. The bar is high but it’s easy to take a step off the ledge and voila… Serena van der Woodson (or a horrible Gossip Girl reboot character). This year is even more onerous as most of their social lives have been confiscated by the pandemic.

    With a bit of Covid guilt, we hit the scroll and organized a list of great gifts that even the Brearley girl can brag about. Don’t worry, none of these suggestions are beyond the bounds of an Upper East Side starter pack.  

    Lululemon Tech shirt ($68)

    Golden Goose Superstars ($356 from $530)
    Love Shack Fancy dress ($255 from $425) or  sweater ($295) 
    Gucci sneakers ($449 from $650)
    Hair Wand Curling set ($150 from $250)
    Moncler Hat (kids large $195 from $250 adults)
    Alexander McQueen bag ($644 from $920)

    Holiday Edition: Obsessions & Impulses

    It’s undeniable that this year is like none other in our lifetime. The differences are even more palatable as the holiday season rolls in. Fifth Avenue is usually packed with revelers and this week I found Rockefeller center to be only sparsely attended. 

    Saks Fifth Avenue felt like a Summer Tuesday morning– meaning it was essentially void of customers. The block of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral was only occupied by me, multiple security guards, and a few security dogs. If ever there was a year to take stock, this would be the one.

    Even as this year has provided horrible suffering and insurmountable obstacles, I have always held to the philosophy that any opportunity to celebrate should be embraced.  Some of the most special moments of celebration are quiet and intimate. It is an opportune time to be more thoughtful, more caring, and giving. 
    This week, we started a series of gift guides. Over this way, you will find some inspiration if you need to buy a corporate or client gift. If you’re a long-time blog fan, you might know something about the woman who has everything. Here is a gift guide for a few items she might like.  
    Those who are sale-shopping can check out the new items added to the private sale of Ssense. There are some second markdowns too. Here is a YSL Matelasse Envelop bag for $1826 from $2350 and Opyum heels are $677 from $995. This Moncler puffer is $895 from $1210. The sale also has a great assortment of Comme Des Garcon Play items, which make great gifts.
    Dolce & Gabbana fans should check out this private sale link. You can use the code FW20FORYOU. to save 40% off. This minibag comes to $1050 from $1750, sneakers are $405 from $675, and a logo belt is $285 from $475. 
    Missoni lovers can fill the loss of Century 21 by heading over to Saks Off Fifth. The discounts top 80%. This Missoni hat is $50 from $250 and this scarf is the same price. 
    Remember, the Chanel sale starts this week. You can get all the details in this post. I just added more pictures and will continue to add more. I can’t share contacts but you can search through past posts or use the general department store contacts that I frequently mention. 
    Coming back to where we started, Saks started is amidst its first markdown. We have pictures from inside the sale in the post. This Saint Laurent studded camera bag is $1365 from $1950,  Tribute sandals in khaki green are $416 from $595, Stuart Weitzman high boots are $500 from $800. There is also 10% off lots of beauty brands.

    Remember to head to  Instagram stories for some Saturday night fun. 
    Stay tuned. Until next time… same time, same place?


    Saks: First Big Markdowns

    There have been lots of sales this season. There have been a lot of promotions this season. If you’re following real hard cold markdowns, however, the season has been very slow. That’s all about to change. Saks Fifth Avenue started its first big designer markdown this morning. Most designer merchandise is now discounted 40% off. 

    The biggest sale highlight is the large assortment of Saint Laurent bags. This Saint Laurent studded camera bag is $1365 from $1950, and this leopard mini Lou is $735 from $1050. The shoe options are just as good. These Tribute sandals in khaki green are $416 from $595, sneakers are $350 from $600 and Opyum sandals are $700 from $1000.  You can see pictures from inside the store right here

    There are also a lot of new Manolo Blahnik sale options. These leather slides are $387 from $645 and slingbacks are $453 from $755. There is also lots of Balmain. This tweed dress is $1560 from $2600 and this tweed blazer is $1650 from $2750. This Balenciaga parka for $995 from $2500 is a very good find and these Alexander Berman glitter ankle boots are $450 from $750. 

    Prior markdowns are an additional 10% off with the code GIFTINGSF. This headband from Lele Sadoughi is $90 from $150 and  Stuart Weitzman high boots are $500 from $800. The 10% off extends to lots of beauty brands too. Here are in-store pictures

    Even though it’s already December, this is just the start of the sale season. Expect a lot more fun markdowns to come.  

    Contact: Jaime Saks Private Shopping

    Chanel Private Sale Details

    Chanel is one of the hardest brands to track during the markdown season. The company is secretive and riddled with rules that are always changing. We have come to learn that this season, Chanel will host a private sale beginning December 4 and open at department stores on December 9. 

    The sale will be comprised of past season merchandise with a discount of 40% on most items. The sale does not generally include any bags or leather goods. Shoppers can expect to find discounts on shoes, jewelry, scarves, and various small accessories. 

    Below are some of our past contacts. We will continue to update this post with pictures and contacts as more information becomes available. You can click here to see posts from last season.
     

    I removed the identities of salespeople to protect those supplying information. Click here to view pictures of the sale selection at each store. 


    Bloomingdales



    Saks



    Neiman Marcus




    Chanel Costa Mesa Boutique




     Undisclosed Various Saks Stores



    Bloomingdales, NYC



    Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC



    Saks, Philly



    Saks: Scottsdale, AZ



    Bergdorf Goodman (more BG below if you scroll down)



    Neiman Marcus, Roosevelt Field (Garden City, NY)





    Saks Fifth Avenue (Not NYC)




    Chanel Boutique:  Short Hills, Nj

     


    Nordstrom Portland 





    Nordstrom San Diego




    Saks Fifth Avenue 





    Bergdorf Goodman




    Bloomingdales

    Gift Guide: Ideas for the Woman Who Shops (a Lot)

    The old adage is that it’s better to give than to receive but who says you can’t enjoy both? A gift is exponentially better when it is accompanied by thoughtfulness. A considerate gift gives the recipient permission to relax, feel joy and indulge in the experience of being doted upon.

    Before we jump right in, I hope you don’t mind if I offer a little bit of relationship advice. Whatever he buys you– don’t return it! Once you return enough gifts he will feel defeated and stop buying them. Keep it– even if it’s too expensive, not the right color or completely not your taste. If it’s actually that bad, secretly return it but never let him know.

    The same rule goes for your children. Give them the opportunity to enjoy the experience of giving even if it means wearing it just once and hiding it for the rest of your days.

    So, now, we present the definitive gift guide on getting it right so that she wears it often, loves it, and cherishes it forever. (As if that actually exists.) Just in case, always shop where purchases can be returned for a full refund and never throw out the receipt.



    Blaze Milano blazer ($780 from $1560)



    Biossance: Clean and Pure Winter Beauty

    Sponsored by Biossance and ShopStyle

    Beauty has taken an entirely new perspective now that I have teenage daughters. It’s up to me to teach them that true beauty starts on the inside and needs to be preserved through self-care and kindness. Now, more than ever, it’s important to choose beauty products that are deeply nourishing without any harmful chemicals.

    Biossance offers mega moisturizing products that eliminate dehydrated skin and enhance a healthy complexion. Biossance’s key ingredient of 100% plant-based squalane, which allows their products to work harder to deeply nourish and support skin’s moisture barrier while giving your complexation a healthy glow.

    Now is the perfect time to try out Biossance’s acclaimed products. For Black Friday through Cyber week, you can save 30% off site-wide. In addition, for Giving Tuesday 50% of all proceeds from products sold today (12/1) will be donated to Oceana. The discount offer ends December 4, so really don’t procrastinate. 

    For the holidays Biossance is offering a fantastic assortment of beauty kits. Over the course of the past few weeks, I’ve used assorted items and have come to love each product individually and even more so when they are combined. The Squaline + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer  ($36 from $52) feels light and fluffy on the skin but has the strength to do the heavy lifting to keep my skin nourished and hydrated even as the days increasingly become cold and dry. 

    When paired with the Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil ($50 from $72) from the results are dynamite. Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil adds a glow and radiance that is superb. Just remember that oil is the last product applied to the face before cosmetics. They lock all the moisture into the skin and anything that’s applied over it won’t be absorbed. 
    The Squaline + Lactic Acid Reserfucaing Night Serum ($43 from $62) is a phenom of its own. The first night it was applied, I woke up feeling the difference in my skin. In the morning, my skin felt hydrated and alive as opposed to the usual stiffness and dryness. It’s been a nightly ritual from day one.  
    Check out the Uplifted & Bright Kit Set ($50 from $127 value), which contains a full-size Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, a travel size version of the Squalane + Omega Repair Cream, and a travel-size Squalane + Phyto Retinol Serum. The Let it Go gift set ($18 from $63 value) contains the powerful combo of a travel size Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil and a travel-size Squaline + Lactic Acid Reserfucaing Night Serum
    Check out all the amazing gift sets here. Any option you choose will be sure to have a lasting effect and add a beautiful holiday glow. Remember, the Cyber deals end December 4.