Today the Balenciaga sample sale kicked off for employees and press. The sale is invitation only and the door policy is much stricter than we anticipated. You need to give your name and show state-issued ID. Fear not, all FOMO is misguided.

Actually, we toyed with titling this post: ‘Everything you won’t find at the Balenciaga sample sale’ but listing all the disappointments would be redundant. There are no Speedtrainers, no Triple Ss, no Logomania items and there aren’t any City bags in any remotely nice colors. There was so much nothing that we actually left without purchasing a single item. The worst part is that prices are actually very good.

So, if you were to breach security what would you find? You would see wallets in an unidentifiable print for $150. There are market bags with a ‘Puffer Print’ in extra large ($449) and small. We spotted a few City bags in Pepto Bismol pink and periwinkle both colors were priced at $399. Another style bag with a chain, which we never saw before is $350 and croc bags with a wire handle are $2999. (We couldn’t find links but you can see pictures over this way.)

The prices for shoes are amazing but there are no styles worth buying. All women’s shoes, including boots, are $150 and men’s shoes and sneakers are just $99. We found extra pointy toe pumps with that puffer print and then a variety of rounded toe style shoes, boots, and booties with a floral print. The men’s sneaker options are the best of the bunch but we didn’t even see the guys jumping at the opportunity.

The clothing is priced by category. Tops, knitwear, skirts, and pants are $99, blouses are $150, and jackets and dresses are $199. We saw some nice heavy tweed items, but most are impractical beyond the runway. There are stretch pants in purple, orange, green and black. Most other items are ill-fitting or strange prints.

We would call this sale a huge bust. We wouldn’t be surprised if the entire inventory was outlet castoffs. The sale runs through Saturday. You’re welcome to try your luck at the door. It doesn’t look like any of this merchandise is going fast. Take a look at the pictures and let us know what do you think?

Balenciaga Sample Sale
Through Saturday, November 2
Friday 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-3pm
123 West 18 Street, 5th Fl

This morning, the Nicholas Kirkwood sample sale kicked off for VIPs and LVMH employees. The sale is taking place at the Warwick Hotel, just like Manolo Blahnik’s sample sale and offers discounts almost as good.

Prices start at just $90 for flats and range up to $425 for shearling boots with a pearl heel. On most items, the markdown is between 50% to 80% off. In the early hours, there was an abundance of Kirkwood’s classic pointy-toe flats and mules priced at $90 from a retail range from $425 to $540. Styles vary in color and come in assortments of suede, leather, and patent leather.

Mid-heel shoes are priced a little more expensively at $160 and high heels are $200. You can click over to see the full price list and pictures. All shoes are organized by size except for the most covetable Kirkwood styles, which are reserved near the entrance to the saleroom. That’s where you will find a lot of the most classic pieces including these Derby shoes with a pearl heel come in both silver and black and are priced at $309 from $995. This tall style is priced at $800 from $2760, this biker boot is $450 from nearly $2000 and these sneakers in white are $350. You can click over to see some pictures we grabbed surreptitiously at the sale.

At noon, before the sale opened to the public, there was a line of about 50 people waiting. Take note, there will be no restocking and some of the best styles were disappearing fast. There is a hard limit of only 10 pairs per customer and only credit cards are accepted.

Those out of town shouldn’t feel too disappointed, Nicholas Kirkwood often gets heavily discounted in department stores and boutiques. Keep an eye on sales at Fivestory and TheRealReal.

Nicholas Kirkwood
Tuesday, October 30 & Wednesday, October 31
Tues 12pm-8pm, Wed 8am-5pm
Warwick Hotel, 65 West 54th Street, 2nd Fl

The calendar has turned to November, which means sample sale shopping will hit a frenetic peak. It’s a good thing because Thanksgiving and holiday parties are right around the corner. There is no better time to start collecting holiday gifts and adding some exciting pieces to your home and wardrobe.

Below is a list of what we believe to be the best bargain bonanzas of the month. You can see a listing of all the sample sales occurring in NYC on Chicmi. Continue to check back here and we will add more sales and commentary. Feel free to ask questions, feedback, and comments below. You can also follow along on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook to get quick and immediate updates.

Nicholas Kirkwood Sample Sale
We haven’t covered a Nicholas Kirkwood sale in almost three years. The last sale was at Century 21 and prices were reduced 80% 0ff. This season, the sale will take place at the Warwick. (Just like the Manolo sale.) We expect the discount to start off at 70% and then get reduced to 80% as the sale continues into its second day. Shoppers should anticipate a bit of a crowd. We don’t think it will be as popular as the Manolo sale but girls love their shoes. Full details are now live over here. 
Tuesday, October 30 & Wednesday, October 31
Tues 12pm-8pm, Wed 8am-5pm
Warwick Hotel, 65 West 54th Street, 2nd Fl

3.1 Phillip Lim Sample Sale
This sale is always very popular. Expect bags to fly off the shelves during the first few hours of the sale. At last sale we attended large Pashlis were $300, minis were $200, the 31 Hour tote bag, Soleil bucket bags, and Biancas were $200. All other bag styles were $150. All shoes were $100. Shirts were $120 or $150 for embroidered options, pants, jeans and shorts were $75 and dresses ranged from $175 to $450 and outerwear ran for $175 to $500 for leather and fur options. Click here to see the full report.
Tuesday, October 30 through Sunday, November 4
Tues 1pm-8pm, Wed &Thur 10am-7pm, Fri& Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-5pm
260 Sample Sale: 160 Greene Street

Edie Parker Sample Sale
Who doesn’t need another hard sided evening clutch? Well, that is, if they are highly discounted. During prior sales, bags were prices started at $200 but last year shoppers complained that the least expensive bag was $400. We don’t know if this sale will offer good discounts or better. Let us know if you’re going and we will be sure to share the information.
Friday, November 2 through Saturday, November 3
Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-5pm
Parasol Projects, 2 Rivington Street

Global Fashions Pre-Holiday Sale
Global Fashions is the official luxury distributor for several Italian designer brands including couture designers. The showroom will be opening its doors to the public for a pre-holiday sample sale. Expect to find a variety of Italian designers with the extra bonus of a large assortment from this season’s Stuart Weitzman collection. Discounts will range from 70% to 80% off. Shoes, bags, accessories, and jewelry will be reduced by 70% off retail, designer clothing will be discounted 75% and couture will be 80% off. Expect to find full-size ranges of classic shoes and lots of covetable style bags. You can click through here to see pictures from inside a past sample sale.
Monday, November 5 through Thursday, November 8
 9am-6pm daily
49 West 38th Street

Vivian Westwood Sample Sale
The eccentric British designer is hosting a SIX-day sample sale. The merchandise selection should be HUGE. Expect to find a big crowd of FIT students and fashion insiders. Two years ago the designer had a much more discreet sale in the garment district. The assortment included clothing, shoes, bags, small leather accessories, scarves, jewelry, and sunglasses. The more recent collections were discounted 60% and older collections were discounted reduced up to 90%. Expect to find assorted merchandise from the Anglomania, Red Label, and Gold Label lines.
Tuesday, November 6 through Sunday, November 11
Tues 9am-8pm, Wed to Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-5pm

Chloe Sample Sale
One of the big shopping highlights for November will undoubtedly be the Chloe sample sale. Last year’s sale was accompanied by lots of excitement and repeated markdowns. By the final days, almost all merchandise was discounted 80% off. Expect long lines and crowds throughout the sale. This is another event you’ll want to watch with a close eye. 
Wednesday, November 7 through Sunday, November 11
Wed to Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-5pm
260 Sample Sale: 151 Wooster Street

Jil Sander/ BROCK Collection / Jonathan Simkhai / Fleur Du Mal Sample Sale This multi-designer sample sale will have a variety of fashions from each designer’s collections. Short dresses from Brock will be $500 and long dresses will be $1200. Dresses from Jonathan Simkhai will be $200, gowns will be $395, and knit tops will be $50. Jil Sander dress will be $225, coats will be $300 and leather goods are priced at $1000.
Monday, November 12 through Saturday, November 17
Mon 10am-8pm, Tues to Sat 10am-7pm
260 Fifth Avenue

Global Fashions Men’s Italian Designer Sale
This is Global Fashion’s first sale entirely dedicated to men’s fashion. Expect to find more than 300 pairs of men’s designer sneakers, that’s in addition to a terrific selection of dress shoes, loafers, and boots. The two-day sale will also include a gorgeous selection of bags, backpacks, jewelry, winter accessories, sportswear, formalwear, athleisure and more. Shoes and accessories will be discounted 70% and all clothing will be 80% off.
Wednesday, November 14 through Thursday, November 15
9am-7pm daily
49 West 38th Street

Montblanc Sample Sale
The Montblanc sample sale is always one of the highlights of the season. People love to take advantage of this sale to buy holiday gifts. Expect lines throughout the duration of this sale. Discounts are up to 70% off to start. There are usually markdowns but by that time only the very expensive, limited edition pens are left over.
Monday, November 19 through Wednesday, November 25
Mon & Tues 9am-7pm, Wed 9am-2pm