Online retailers don’t quite run sale season the same way traditional store calendars negotiate markdowns. Shopbop for example, just started what we would consider, the first big round of markdowns. Meanwhile, most products are still full price at nearly everywhere you shop.
Digging in, we went straight for Spring merchandise. Hayward is one of our favorite independent bag designers and the entire selection is still full price at Bergdorfs. Here is a mini-patchwork Hayward bag that’s $413 from $600. Cult Gaia bags are already reduced by about 30%. This acrylic lavender bag is $208 from $300 and the macrame variety is the same price. There is also an assortment of Staud bags reduced 40%.
If the item you’re watching isn’t included in this markdown it is likely to be added in the next sale drop. Usually, the site adds another batch of merchandise to its sale during the first week of April.
New Yorkers are naturally a negative bunch. We are adverse to change, highly opinionated and love the nostalgia of “old” New York. While highly judgmental, we must admit that Neiman Marcus did an excellent job visualizing a retail environment for 2019 and staying true to its bloodlines. The store is spacious, bright and thoughtful.
The NYC Neiman Marcus is everything you could desire from a suburban department store– and we aren’t saying that as a slur. Frankly, we don’t need another Barneys, Saks or Bergdorfs. What we did get is a space that carries lots of luxury fashion that feels welcoming and safe. There isn’t much experimentation as far as designers. There is no Commes de Garcons, Del Pozo or Rossie Assoulin–but you can hop over to Forty-Five-Ten for all of that. What you will find is a large offering of Etro, Dolce & Gabbana and The Row.
One criticism: In addition to the main floor Chanel boutique, would have liked to see a bit more top tier luxury clothing brands. A little Valentino, Gucci, Givenchy and Dior ready-to-wear would go a long way establishing this Neiman Marcus as an everything-you-need shopping destination. Don’t worry, there are designer handbags and shoes galore. (We posted a bunch of in-store fashion highlights to the jump.)
The Hudson Yards Neiman Marcus has artful installations, numerous engagement points and offers plentiful experiences. It’s Instagram-able and fully shoppable. We love the personalizing station, where you can let your imagination go wild. Shoppers can choose from a large variety of patches, embroidery, studs and even collaborate with an artist to handpainted an item. Prices start at $35 to afix a set of initial patches and most customization takes about a week.
We also loved the humongous dressing rooms, especially in the personal shopping area. You might never want to leave. “Try-ing on” situation is so much less of a drag when the environment meets that of your own home. One observation, it would be nice if all the dressing rooms were stocked with bottled water. Part of the 2019 retain environment is anticipating the needs of your customer and who doesn’t get thirsty while shopping?
We aren’t sure if Neiman Marcus needs a beauty service section but customers can choose from blowouts, waxes manicures and more. We are also not sure that online shoppers need designated stylists, especially when they are allocated with more than 800 sq feet. Seems like the three online stylists would be better positioned at the personal shopping department, which was void of any sales associates.
The flower kiosk, on the main floor, is another cute in-store feature. It seems as if a $40 will buy you a very sweet boutique of high-quality flowers. In a pinch, it’s more thoughtful than a candle or hand soap.
Nowadays, one of the biggest draws to any department store is its restaurant. The Neiman Marcus main floor contains a gourmet food department that is an upscale version of TJ Maxx’s world food section. It also has a kitchen for food demonstrations and Irving Farm coffee. The Zodiac Room, on the seventh floor, offers an adequate option salad and a good looking burger. On our third visit to Hudson Yards, we found Blue Stone Lane to be the best option for a quick salad or sandwich.
Despite the naysayers, Neiman Marcus offers New Yorkers a different experience. We can’t say it will become a regular haunt, partly because of the $35 Uber fare from the Upper East Side, but we do welcome a luxury shopping alternative. What do you think?
Louis Vuitton: Monique 860-328-3894
Neiman Marcus Luxury Specialist: Sean 929-458-1410
The Jimmy Choo sample sale just slid into the sample sale calendar. If you want to get in on this shopping-trip you must have a confirmed ticket. No worries, we have all the details to get you in and out in no time.
The sale opens to the public on Wednesday, April 3 at the Metropolitan Pavilion. To attend the sale you must use this link to RSVP. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and enter the code SAMPLESALE19 to receive your email confirmation number.
You should take note, this sign-up system does nothing for crowd control. Last year, the line for admittance spanned down the block, around 6th Avenue, and up 19th Street. Unless you have a VIP confirmation, we suggest you refrain from attending this sale until the second day.
For the uninitiated, this sale is legendary for its discount prices. Basic pumps and sandals are usually $200, booties are $325 and boots are $375. Women’s shoes run from size 35 to 42 and men’s go from 43 to 46. At the last sale, men’s shoes were priced at $250 or $375 and included loafers, Oxfords, driving shoe and ankle boots.
This sale is always one of the most popular sample sales of the year but I have never personally purchased anything even during the press preview. Jimmy Choo has some great styles shoes but none of them ever seem to make it to the sale. The sale is usually overstocked with 2010-style glitter shoes. Woodbury Common Outlet usually offers similar pricing and a much newer style selection.
It’s also worth noting that prices get slashed drastically in the afternoon on the last day. (Don’t be surprised if you spot people squatting with piles waiting for the price cut.) Last season, heels were reduced to $100, jeweled shoes & booties were $150, boots were $200, small leather goods were $30 and men’s shoes were $50. That’s when it might be worth scavenging Choos. (No, probably not.)
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
On Monday, Global Fashions will open it’s doors to the public for a major designer Spring clearance sale. Get this: Any shoe with a red box will be just $260 and boots will all be priced at just $395.
There’s more! Couture designers will be discounted 80% off. All other designer clothing from the likes of, Pamela Roland, Marchesa, Genny, Alberta Ferretti, Dsquared, Catherine Malandrino, Philosophy, and Ferre will be discounted 85%. Click here for more details and to see pictures
We started to feel the Sunday night blues settling in but then we remembered about a great upcoming sale. Starting right now, you can save an extra 30% off sale items online at Bergdorf Goodman. There is a similar promotion running at the parent company Neiman Marcus but the additional discount is only 20%.
Take note, the shoe section is very spotty on sizing. The best option is to sort by size before you being any serious browsing. Finding a shoe you love without any size options is an avoidable frustration.
The Bergdorf Goodman sale doesn’t officially kick off to the public until Tuesday but it’s already live as a quiet period. The promotion ends on Friday. So don’t wait until the weekend to do a final checkout.
Mid-season discounts can be hard to find but it’s always a good idea to scroll an aging sale section. Today we cruised through FWRD and were impressed by some of the items we found that were discounted 75% off.
Take note, this is a forever sale section and the most reduced items are only available in limited size ranges. To avoid too much frustration, we suggest you eliminate anything that’s not in your size. It also never hurts to check back periodically.
It’s officially Spring, which means it’s time to sweep those gray clouds away and get ready for a new season of warm sun and new collections. Before anyone starts grabbing the sunblock, it’s a good idea to shed any extra winter bulk and that’s exactly the plan at Global Fashions.
Starting Monday, the luxury discounter will open it’s doors to the public for a major Spring clearance sale. This is the first time (and possibly the last time) Global Fashions is offering discounts this low. Get this: Any shoe with a red box is just $260 and boots will all be priced at only $395.
The selection includes a large variety of samples and last pieces. Lucky shoppers will be able to snag Rockstud sandals, pumps, flats, slingbacks and more. The shoe selection also includes a small variety of espadrilles, sandals, and sneakers. Boot styles include the iconic floral print high and low-style boots, the color block series, the stars collection, and the classic braided high boots. There are also great options for men too. (You can click here to see nearly 100 pictures.)
Most red box shoes retail for about $1000 and boots are normally about $2000, which translates to a savings of 75% to 80% off. You can take note that there will be no restocking and there will be a purchase limit of eight pairs of shoes.
The Global Fashions clearance sale also includes lots of other designer deals. All other brands of shoes, bags, and accessories, including Stuart Weitzman, will be reduced 70% off. All shoes, handbags, and accessories are 70% off.
Couture designers will be 80% off. All other designer clothing from the likes of, Pamela Roland, Marchesa, Genny, Alberta Ferretti, Dsquared, Catherine Malandrino, Philosophy, and Ferre will be discounted 85%. Click here to see pictures.
As we noted, we have never seen discounts this low on red box shoes. There isn’t a large size assortment. This is only a three-day sale and we expect many of the most popular styles will sell out fast.
Global Fashions Clearance Sample Sale
Monday, March 25 through Wednesday, March 27
9am-6pm daily
49 West 38th Street
The trend of early designer discount promotions is expanding. Net-A-Porter first started offering a small discount exclusively on designer shoes but has now extended the promotion to a full assortment of product verticals. Now through the end of the month, you can save 15% off anything within this link with the use of the code NETAPORTER15.
You’ll quickly notice that most of the merchandise within this promotion edit will be included in the first markdown. The fact of the matter is that the big first markdown won’t happen until mid-May and some items might sell out before then.
This Saint Laurent medium Vicky bag is a consideration as it’s is one of those items that might not make it to sale season. We wouldn’t say that same advice about the Chloé C bag. It’s hard to discern if it’s Chloe, Celine or even Coach. (We all know it’s not Chanel!) We have a feeling we will be linking to this bag at 60% off in no time.
This Petar Petrov leather button-down skirt caught us mid-scroll. At over $1100, we wouldn’t normally suggest pouncing but there are only two sizes remaining. This isn’t the type of skirt that is purchased in bulk by retailers but it’s a gem. The same goes for these two-tone Jennifer Chamandi flats.
We were surprised to find an abundance of beauty products in the discount edit. We usually don’t like buying cosmetics online but a 15% discount on a restock might not be a bad idea if you use especially pricey products. (Callout: Diptyque is included too.)
Most everything is included in this promotion besides for the biggest and most in-demand designers of the season. We suggest looking for what you want most and inquiring about inventory levels. Once you have all the information, you can decide if 15% off is a big enough discount now or you can wait for 30% off later.
