The hugely popular Shopbop sale event kicked off today for VIPs. Shoppers can use the code EVENT19 and save up to 20% on orders under $500 and 25% on orders above $500. Of course, there are designer exclusions. Shopbop’s list isn’t usually very bad but some of the higher end designers aren’t participating.

The best part of this sale is that you can apply the discount to previously reduced merchandise. For this reason, we always like to start browsing in the sale section. We are really into these linen scalloped slides that are already reduced to $276 from $395. Here is a banana leaf print DVF wrap maxi dress that’s reduced lower than sample sale prices ($178 from $300). These J Brand high-rise wide-legged jeans are exactly what we’ve been waiting to go further on sale ($194 from $278).

Another option is to always use the savings to get a jump ahead of the trends. You can save 25% off most Golden Goose sneakers.  This check pair is already reduced and comes to $350 from $550 after the promotional discount. We love Colovos belted two-tone shirt dress ($675) and we would love to try out this pink MSGM drop waist bow back dress.

Remember, the trendiest of items go fast at this sale. Better to snatch them up now than to wait until the sale ends on Saturday. Get shopping.

What is Lanvin without Albert Elbaz? It’s a lot of logo and fine fabrics but you can judge for yourself. This Lanvin sale is still technically private but there isn’t a list at the door.

We always love this sale because the discounts are great and there is always some prize to take home. (We even spotted some Elbaz items.) Dresses are reduced 90% off retail and all other items are discounted 80%. The other reason we appreciate this sale for the great selection for men.

As always, the sale is very well organized and the salespeople are among the nicest you’ll encounter at a sample sale. As a matter of fact, one woman left behind a diamond ring while trying on jewelry and the salesperson tracked her down to make sure her ring was returned.

The merchandise selection isn’t hasn’t been as amazing since the Elbaz years and it’s not getting better. There are a few styles of bags, shoe sizes are limited and the jewelry selection is nearly nonexistent.

That being said, we spotted bodysuit for $580 from over $5800. A gold lamé gown is $460 from $4590. We spotted an old Elbaz dress reduced to $240 from $2400. Blazers come to about $600 from $2900. We only found ballet flats and sneakers in size 35. Ballet flats and sneakers were both about $140 from $700. (You can click here to see pictures of what we found inside the sale.)

There is also a great assortment of merchandise for men. Bow-ties, cummerbunds and lapel flowers are $20 but we stocked up last year when they were priced at $10. We expect that some items will be marked down further on the final day of the sale –Wednesday.

Lanvin Sample Sale
Monday, April 8 through Wednesday, April 10
9am-6:30pm
37 W 57th St, 9th floor

Bags 70% Off

Bags 70% Off

Jewelry 80% off

Shoes and sneakers 80% off

Bow Ties and pins $20

Figures $20

Bodysuit $580 from $5800

Lamé gown $460 from $4590

Tops and blouses 80% off

Blazer $570 from $2850

About $600

Men’s shoes 80% off

Saks Fifth Avenue friends and the family sale started this week. The incentive is 25% off but there are so many exclusions that we were hesitant to jump in. We thought our time would be better spent strolling the store than trolling the site.

In February the flagship Saks unveiled a renovated first floor, which is barely recognizable to its former state. It is modern, youthful, and open. There is no doubt that the upgrades represent a generational shift in shoppers. The new main floor encourages wandering and exploration but there still feels like something is missing despite the new lighting and escalator repositioning. Retailers are still in the infancy stage of understanding what the future of shopping.

The old days of friends and family sales are gone too. What’s included in the markdown is confounding as the Instagram algorithm. For instance, a rack of MGMC was included in friends and family and another rack isn’t. Unsurprisingly, the piece we liked wasn’t included in the sale.

Some items we found in the sale, and liked, are this Cinq a Sept blazer that has Balmain-strong shoulder but isn’t obnoxious. It would also be fun to play around with this Rebecca Taylor tweed jacket, like mixing some long pearls and gold chains to give a Chanel vibe. This Theory double-breasted lightly structured wool coat (in navy) seems like a good dupe of the Row’s version.  Men’s Golden Goose (not women’s) are also included in the promotion.

Friends and family brands that are more straight forward include Stuart Weitzman, Cult Gaia and all the pupular denim brands. You can have your choose from J Brand, Paige, 7 For All Mankind, AG and on and on.

While you’re shopping promotions, also take note that there is a 70% off sale section that is live through Friday. Some standouts include this Monse trench for $990 from $3300, paper bag pants from TRE by Natalie Ratabesi for $400 from $1400 and the Prada flame skirt for $330 from $1120.

We aren’t too surprised by this schizo Saks friends & family sale. It’s rather become the norm but we must say it’s more irritating than it is friendly.  For what it’s worth, the promotion runs through Monday, April 8 but we wouldn’t be surprised if there was an extension.

This morning, the Jimmy Choo sample sale kicked off for press and VIPs. Just before 11am, there were only about thirty people waiting in the cue for general RSVP admission but that was just a temporary situation. By noon, the line nearly reached Sixth Avenue, almost a full city avenue. (Head over to can see Instagram Stories to see the extent of the wait.)

Inside, shoes are organized by color on racks and bags are on tables. The best deals are men’s shoes, which are all $150. Women’s shoes start at $250 but anything with embellishment falls into the $325 category. Boots, this season, are priced at $375. Click here to see.

Handbags prices have also held steady. Small handbags are $250. Most of the most attractive styles are the larger category bags but the entire assortment wasn’t exactly enticing. Keep in mind, there is a $200 supplement for exotics, like pony hair. You can see the full pricing list and pictures of shoe and bags from the Jimmy Choo sample sale over here.

So, what will you find? This is the best selection we ever recall but really nothing worth waiting for hours– especially at these prices. Even the men’s selection is better than in prior years. Sizes start at 34 and go up to 42.  Size 37 had a great selection but size 38s were running thin the entire time we were at the sale. On the bright side, we were told that there is a lot of backstock.

The best buys are the wedge sandals and classic Jimmy Choo heels. Retail prices are normally about $700 but they often come on TheRealReal for between $150 and $250. Many times they are even brand new.

It was refreshing to shop the sale and find more than just old style shoes. Jimmy Choo has great new styles and we are looking forward to seeing more of that at upcoming sales. You can click this way to see pictures of what we think are the best styles from the Jimmy Choo sample sale.

The sale runs through Friday. Even though the weather is beautiful, we would avoid waiting in line for hours with the early rush. Prices are usually reduced on the last day. That’s when the fun begins!

Jimmy Choo Sample Sale
Wednesday, April 3 through Friday, April 5
Wed 11am-8pm, Thurs & Fri 8am-8pm
RSVP Link Password: SAMPLESALE19
The Metropolitan Pavilion: 123 West 18th St., 2nd FL