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    February Sample Sales ❤️❤️❤️ Paul Andrew

    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

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    Inside Manolo Blahnik’s Final Markdown (Pics!)

    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.)

    The sale has of fancy ankle boots. Most of the basic shoes we saw are in a variety of suede. Most styles at the sale are still full price at department stores. We spotted these scalloped flats in suede ($225), lace pumps in various colors ($225) and assorted colors of suede BB shoes ($225). You can click over this way to see lots of pictures.

    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

    The boutique closes from 2pm to 3pm to restock

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    Neiman Marcus: Extra Discount 85% Off

    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.

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    Breaking: Manolo’s Final Markdown

    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)

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    Where to Shop This Weekend (Hint: Not Department Stores)

    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!

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    The Men’s Edit: Great Buys for Guys

    Every day we rummage through racks of dresses, heels, and bins of bags. We are so focused on getting our next fashion fix that we often overlook the men’s fashion. Today we are completely focusing our attention on great buys for guys.

    Remember, men’s sales usually start a little later than women’s markdowns. That means options for our male counterparts are still plentiful even as sale merchandise for women is drying up.

    Discounts for men at our local retailers top out at about 50% off. At Bergdorf Goodman, a Stone Island jacket is $460 from $935 and a Prada messenger bag is $730 from $1500. A Balenciaga belt bag at Saks is $446 from $850 and a Paul Smith flight jacket is $660 from $2200. Barneys has lots of Off-White for men and sale items are an additional 20% off. These Off White jeans are $300 from $750, a Palm Angles hoodie is $223 from $555 and a Kru camo puffer is $640 from $1600.

    Some highlights on Mr. Porter include Common Projects sneakers for 60% off or $164 from $410, a Peak Performance ski jacket is $166 from $555 and a double-breasted velvet jacket from Oliver Spencer is $262 from $655.

    Over at MatchesFashion, the men’s selection is a little larger but the prices are a bit high. As women, we’ve really been spoiled during the last round of discounts. Some standouts include  Valentino pool slides for $200,  a Givenchy Duffle is 50% off, Prada leather sneakers are $260 from $650 and an Alexander McQueen leather and wool peacoat is 50% off.

    It will take some time to scroll through the entire men’s sale section on Farfetch but it’s worth the time. Here is a JW Anderson Hooded duffle coat for $500 from $1640, a Balmain leather moto jacket lined in shearling is reduced 70% off, Versus track pants are $100 from $350 and a Kappa hooded sweatshirt is just $67.

    A little behind the scenes truth: This post has taken nearly two days to write when the average story takes about two hours to research and compose. It just goes to show that the motivation behind Mad-Spy isn’t very altruistic.

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    The IT-It: Givenchy GV3

    The beauty of LVMH is that its diversification allows for an ever-revolving cast of trending brands. One season, Dior is must-have and the next season Fendi is the big fetish.  Consumer fatigue is built into the balance sheet but there are so many options that shoppers always have a reason to LVMH-something.

    Until recently, Givenchy has been an undisturbed sleeping giant. That is until Clare Waight Keller was named the artistic director for the legacy fashion house in 2017. In under two years, she set forth one of the most iconic dresses of the decade in the form of Meghan Markle’s bridal gown. She revamped the company branding, brought back the house’s couture collection and presented the brand’s first standalone menswear collection, in Paris, earlier this month.

    Keller’s designs for Givenchy showcase a power brand, designed by a British woman for a French legacy fashion house. Consumers are connecting with this new era. The new Givenchy woman is sharply-dressed with a great love for fabulous footwear and accessories. The tall leather boots Keller designed for fall become an It-accessory of the season and it’s just the beginning.

    Beyond the Tisci Nightengale and Pandora, Keller has resurrected the iconic Givenchy logo. We are obsessed with Keller’s debut bag, the GV3, which highlights the brand’s GG-logo with a gold-tone metal fastening. We also love the use of the double-G on belts, shoes, wallets, and shoes. The 4G logo –when styled correctly –also seems to work on various items of clothing, shoes, and accessories.

    Before you go nuts asking for the Givenchy, please be sure to pronounce it correctly. Most accurately it’s Je-von-shee. Once the correct accent is mastered, feel to botch it up as ‘give-on-Kee’. It’s soo much fun to say and watch people’s stare.

    Givenchy GV3: $2390

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    Hunt & Gather: 25 Shoes Designer Shoes for $200

    The prices of designer shoes have skyrocketed even more quickly than the Dow Jones. It wasn’t so long ago that standard designer pumps retailed for $600. Now $900 is the benchmark designer pumps. Analysts frequently debate if people are actually spending more money or just waiting longer for deeper discounts.

    After experiencing a season of sticker shock it’s fun to hunt for shoes that are reduced under $300. We like to think of it as three for the price of one. Above is an assortment of shoes that will cost you somewhere in the $200-range. It just proves that no matter your budget you should never settle.

    Our lineup includes an impressive assortment from Manolo Blahnik, Gianvitto Rossi, Valentino, The Row, Prada, and Jimmy Choo. Sizes are limited in each style but if you hunt, we are sure everyone can find something to gather.

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