Online retailers don’t quite run sale season the same way traditional store calendars negotiate markdowns. Shopbop, for example, just started its first full markdown on Fall clothing, shoes and accessories. Meanwhile, most retailers won’t start markdowns for at least a few more weeks.
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 batches of merchandise every few weeks.
This afternoon, the Oscar de La Renta sample sale kicked off in Soho to VIPs and Gilt ticket holders. The sale includes a great assortment of almost all designer’s categories including dresses, gowns, coats, day-wear, skirts, furs, jewelry, belts, bags, shoes, kids clothing, and bridal gowns.
Most items are priced between 70% and 90% off retail. Samples, which can be identified by an internal sample tag, are priced according to a master list. (You can see the price sample lists in the jump.) All other items are priced as marked. The best part of this sale is that a lot of the merchandise is current to this season– Fall 2018.
Over towards the checkout counter, you’ll see an assortment of jewelry and belts. Most are priced at about 80% off retail. These flower drop earrings in assorted colors are $69 from $350, an oversized belt like this one was $120 from $650 and broaches were $50. (We have pictures and prices over here.) Downstairs, you’ll find a great assortment of shoes, which we are sure won’t last very long. All shoes are $89. These sparkling ruby heels are normally almost $900. They are just $89 at the sample sale but can also be found on TheOutNet for $330.
Downstairs there are also plenty of bridal gowns. We didn’t catch the prices — the gowns are too big and heavy to fish for price tags– but one was more stunning than the next. Near those gowns, you’ll also find children’s shoes that are all just $20. Some have original price stickers of more than $250. You really can’t beat that. The children’s clothing assortment isn’t very exciting. There is one style of a classic ODLR dress that is perfect for a little girl between age two and six. Beyond that, the classic style dresses don’t always look right.
On your way out, you might notice a roped off section of ODLR furs. Don’t worry, you’re not missing too much. The markdown isn’t very good at about 50% off and prices are still very high. (Jump for pics.)
The ODLR sale is one of those popular events that tend to attract lots of shoppers, which tend to accumulate into a steady line throughout the days of the sale. It’s not usually too bad of a wait but you should clock in some extra time if you’re thinking of taking a quick pass through the sale.
Oscar de la Renta Sample Sale
Tuesday, October 23 through Friday, October 28
Tues 10am-8pm, Wed & Thurs 11am-7pm, Fri 11am-4pm
151 Wooster Street between Houston & Prince
Just as the weather is taking a sharp turn towards Fall, we found a sale to motivate us into the new work week. Today, Neiman Marcus started a Fall clearance sale where discount merchandise is reduced an extra 25% off. That brings the total markdown to 80% off on some items. The sale even includes lots of items that can easily fit into your wear-now wardrobe.
This extra 25% off clearance sale only runs through Monday. The next big clearance promotion will be in early November and then the current season begins the first markdown before Thanksgiving.
You should also take note that Neiman Marcus is also running a beauty promotion where fragrances, cosmetics, and other beautifying items are 20% off. This promo runs through Thursday. It’s not so often that we see a straight beauty discount at a department store and even the high-end brands are included.
A friend and colleague from FrontRowEdit, recently posted about the most gorgeous limited edition, Audemars Puget, Frosted Gold Royal Oak. It was love at first sight and that love has evolved into an outright obsession.
The 37mm timepiece features a remarkable Frosted gold finish and a mirrored dial. The watch was conceived by Italian jewelry designer Carolina Bucci and limited to just 300. The retail price is $52,000. The designer explains that the focal point of the new design is the mirrored dial, which has been crafted with painstaking precision.
“The mirror is always interacting with its environment, ever-changing according to what clothes you’re wearing, the décor of the room, the lighting, the time of day, the weather,” she says. “I know women with a great eye for keynote accessories who are going to love this.” Caroline must have been reading out mind.
The price tag might be a little bit much for a weekend shopping outing but while snooping around we felt satisfied settling for Caroline Bucci’s other jewelry designs. We love this heart-shape ring ($3480) that utilizes the same Florentine-technique hammered gold finish as the Royal Oak. These hoop earrings are equally as beautiful and just $720. If you’re still yearning for some arm adornments, go for this coil ‘Caro’ bracelet ($550).
The Caro bracelet is an okay temporary diversion for our Royal Oak obsession but it’s not a cure. After all, the combination of a mirrored dial and a watch could make our iPhone obsolete, right?
Lanvin certainly isn’t the same without Albert Elbaz but that makes shopping past season’s fashion a little more fun. The Lanvin sale is still technically private but the cat is out of the bag and nobody is technically watching the door.
We always love this sale because the discounts are great and there is always some prize to take home. Dresses are reduced 90% off retail and all other items are discounted 80%. The other reason we love this sale is for of the amazing staff. The sale is very well organized and the salespeople are among the sweetest we’ve ever encountered. Going to the Lanvin sale is like attending a private bi-annual reunion.
To be totally truthful, the merchandise selection isn’t as amazing as some past sales. There are no bags, shoe sizes are limited and the jewelry selection is dwindling fast. That being said, we spotted %3500 gowns that are now just $350. We spotted an old Elbaz dress reduced to $240 from $2400. Ballet flats with jewels in smaller sizes are about $140 from $700. We agonized over one necklace that’s $240 from $1200. (You can click here to see pictures of what we found inside the sale.)
There is also a great assortment of merchandise for men. We suggest that everyone grab a few bow-ties, cummerbunds and lapel flowers. You can’t go wrong for $10 each.
The sale runs through Friday. We expect that some items will be marked down further on Thursday and Friday. As is, prices are pretty fantastic.
Lanvin Sample Sale
Thursday, October 18 and Friday, October 19
9am-6:30pm
37 W 57th St, 9th floor
It’s that time of year where you have the bug to shop but everything you want is still full price. We started browsing Nordstrom’s sale section and were very surprised by how many items provided serious shopping temptation.
The best part of scrolling a Nordstrom sale section is the denim selection. Over this way, we found classic Farrah AG jeans. They have been our go-to jeans all Fall. Here is the same style jean in a waxed Bordeaux color. This flared style jean from Paige is really great because it has slits at the ankle that allow you to show off your boots.
Leave it to us to make the non-sale season a time of temptation. Sooooorry. ????
I love how every season animal prints are lauded as a new trend. Do animal prints ever go out of style? It doesn’t seem so, however, sometimes they can come off as cheesy if when left untamed. This season, a tigers print specifically is catching the attention of top trend spotters.
My very favorite item might be these tiger print sunglasses from Chimi. Clearly, I have too many favorites.
You can style tiger print like most other animal prints. I like going with a traditional color-blocking philosophy. Some people like to go “wild” and clash different prints. It’s not easy to do and easily becomes distracting to the eye. I especially love pairing the browns with jewel tones like, red and green. You can even add some flash with the sparkle of a sequin.
All retailers have merchandise that falls through the cracks. Regardless of how good you buy there is always going to be a certain percentage of inventory that gets lost in the shuffle. Knowing the truths of retail, Bloomingdales has started a pilot launch of a new section called ‘Final Offer.’
The entire section is filled with items reduced 70% off. The only glitch is that you you can’t combine some of these Final Offer items with other promotions. So on some purcahses have to forgo the extra $25 off each $100– that’s running right now. On the bright side, it’s not final sale so your purchases are still returnable.
