The Dolce & Gabbana sample sale started on Sunday. It wasn’t very surprising that costumers complained about waiting three to four hours to get into the sale. (One would think that after all these years, Soiffer Haskin would implement a system that would show a little bit more regard for their customers.)

The first Dolce & Gabbana reports were that prices were much higher than they have been during previous sales. Markdowns were announced on Monday morning but customers still said that prices were too high. The biggest surprise came later in the day when a reader emailed us saying that the retail sticker prices at the sale were inflated. We were skeptical at first because sample sale sticker prices can fluctuate a bit when there is a Euro conversion but this wasn’t the case.

Our keened eye reader sent us proof. Over this way, on Mr. Poter, Dolce briefs are $85. At the sample sale, they are marked $125. In another instance, pants at the Dolce & Gabbana boutique can be found for $900 but the retail price at the sale is marked $2200. There is a picture in the jump and we can assure you– it’s not a Euro conversion controversy.

As an alternative sample sale fix, we suggest you head way Downtown to Rosie Assoulin. Prices on older season merchandise can be found at 90% off retail. The best part is that there are no lines. As a matter of fact, there was nobody else there for most of the time we were shopping.

So let’s get down to ribbons and rainbows (nuts and bolts). The sale features a large selection of Rosie’s prior season collections and even some current pieces. A lot of the options are sample size 2s but there are some styles that have multiple size options. A bell sleeved crop top is $99 from $400, a puff sleeve wrap blouse is $419 from $1400 and this current season sweatshirt is $79 from $295. A spring 2018 pleated one-shoulder top is $400 from $1600. You can see lots of pretty pictures over here.

If you’re looking for a classic Rosie piece of art, browse the dresses or gowns. This cameo print dress is now $989 from almost $3400. A rainbow lamé wrap dress is about $599, while a pleated gown made of the same fabric initially retailed for $7000. The best find was a strapless gown with a high slit revealing rainbow layers that’s marked $650 from $6500. Click for pics.

While you’re shopping, take a moment to appreciate the fabrics and craftsmanship that goes into Rosie Assoulin’s pieces. You’ll notice the weight of each piece and the fabric quality. This is a prime example of getting what you pay for.

There are also shoe options starting at $50 for samples. The jewelry table has lots of earrings and other curiosities. The sale runs through Thursday. There will be no price reductions or restocking.  If you can’t make it, there are some great pieces listed on TheRealReal for about the same as the sample sale. Pictures are in the jump and sale details are below and in our sample sale link.

Rosie Assoulin Sample Sale
Through Thursday, October 11
Tues 11am-8pm, Wed 11am-7pm, Thurs 10am-1pm
371 Broadway

The mums on Park Avenue are the most visible sign that Fall has officially arrived. The changing leaves and cooler weather means that sample sale season isn’t too far away. Like post-season baseball, shopping gets serious in October. It’s the perfect time of year to be on the lookout for holiday gifts, outerwear and, of course, boots!

We’ve exclusively listed only the sample sales that we think are worthy of your time and effort. The post will continue to be updated throughout the month and remain just a click away in the right sidebar. You can also follow along on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook to get quick and immediate updates or check Chicmi for a complete list of all New York sample sales. Feel free to leave feedback in the comments section, so that everyone can benefit from the ‘Spy’ network.

Hermes Sale
There hasn’t been a Hermes sale in New York City for over three years but you can snag a big discount if you head to Long Island. In a pop-up store (next to Tory Burch) at the Americana Manhasset Mall, the privately owned Hermes boutique will be hosting a sale where clothing, shoes and non-leather accessories are discounted 50% off. At the last Loooooooong Island sale, there were over 100 people in line before 9am. Shoppers who waited were very frustrated by the lack of selection. Our reports indicated that there were very few ties, some Swift CDCs in strange colors and some wayward style shoes. A Hermes sale is always exciting but even at half-off prices are expensive and it’s always nicer to have exactly what you want than to make half-hearted purchases. Here is a link to how it went down last season.  
Wednesday, October 3 through Saturday, October 6
10am-7pm daily
Americana Manhasset Mall: 2060 Northern Blvd (Next to Tory Burch)

Dolce & Gabbana
Who doesn’t love a powerful floral print at 70% off? The problem with this sample sale is always the line. Last season, shoppers reported waiting more than four hours to get in. If you can resist attending until the end of the sale you will find fewer lines and deeper discounts. Last season, the markdowns hit 90% off on some items. Now, that’s a discount worth trecking to the Penn Station neighborhood. 
Sunday, October 7 through Wednesday, October 10
Sun 10am-7pm, Mon to Wed 9am-7pm
Soiffer Haskin: 317 West 33rd Street

Rosie Assoulin 
Way Downtown to Rosie Assoulin. Prices on older season merchandise can be found at 90% off retail. The best part is that there are no lines. As a matter of fact, there was nobody else there for most of the time we were shopping. You can read a full report over this way.

Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale
This season’s Fall Manolo Blahnik sample sale will open to the public on Thursday, October 11th. We expect that prices will run along the same lines as last season. Plain shoes, including leather, suede satin, and printed fabric start at $125 ($136 with tax) and go up to $150. Shoes with embellishments like glitter and studs were priced $175. Boots started at $200 for basic versions and went up to $400 for over-the-knee styles. All the details can be found in our most recent blog post. 
Thursday, October 11th
Sale opens: 11am and closes when the inventory dwindles (usually 3pm – 4pm)
The Warwick Hotel, 54th Street and 6th Avenue, 2nd Floor
Cash only!

David Yurman Sample Sale
Discounts at the David Yurman sample sale normally range from 30% to 60% off retail and 10% of all proceeds on the first day of the sale will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Expect to encounter long lines on the opening day. At the last sale, cable bracelets were reduced 30% off and other styles were discounted by 50%. Rings and necklaces were 50% off and watches and pendants were reduced by 60%.
Thursday, October 11th through Sunday, October 14th
Thurs 3pm–8, Fri & Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 11am–5pm
The Altman Building, 135 West 18th Street

Bonpoint Sample Sale
The discounts will go up to 70% and apply to every clothing collection (newborn, baby, girl, boy, teenager). At the last sale, most items were 60% off the retail sticker. That means that more formal dresses, which are normally priced in the $400-range were reduced to $260-ish. More casual dresses were about $200 in the boutique and come to about $80 at the sale. Boy’s trousers were about $60 from $150 and the collared shirts came to $48 from $120. Read our last Bonpoint review over here.
Tuesday, October 23 through Friday, October 26
Tues 1pm-8pm, Wed 9am-8pm, Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-2pm
The Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 West 18th Street (btwn 6th & 7th Ave), 5th FL

Jimmy Choo Sample Sale
The Jimmy Choo sale opens to the public on Wednesday, October 4 at 11am. To attend the sale you must use this link to RSVP. Use the code JCSS2018 to receive your email confirmation number. Each individual must have a confirmation number to get into the sale. Last season, the lines wrapped around the entire avenue and block and the assortment weren’t even very good. We would suggest saving yourself some time and agony and not attending the first day. Last season, basic pumps and sandals were usually $200, booties were $325 and boots were $375. Women’s shoes run from size 35 to 42 and men’s go from 43 to 46. You can read all about it right here.
Wednesday, October 24 through Friday, October 26th
Wed 11am-8pm, Thurs & Fri 8am-8pm
Metropolitan Pavilion Upper Events Space, 123 West 18th Street, 8th Floor

Jonathan Adler Fall Warehouse Sale
Lifestyle guru, Jonathan Adler is moving and the merchandise must go. We are told that these will be the lowest prices ever and the examples we got are amazing. A Herringbone rug will be $300 from nearly $2800, a salad bowl will be $40 from $150 and the Channing desk will be $700 from almost $2000. This is a sale we suggest you don’t miss if you’re planning on decorating or face lifting your decor.
Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27
9am-2pm daily
885 E. 138th Street (NE corner of 138th and Walnut Avenue), Bronx

The Row
We can’t count on Céline for refined female elegance, which leaves The Row as one of the few brands catering to women who desire excellent quality coupled with a refined silhouette. At last season’s sample sale the discount breakdown went something like this; Ready to wear was 70% off, bags and shoes were discounted 60%, fur was 40% off and exotics were 50% off. We anticipate that additional discounts will occur during the final days. Read up on past sales and stay tuned. We will post here and on Instagram as we receive more details. 
Thursday, October 25 through Sunday, October 28
Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-3pm
Metropolitan Pavilion: 123 West 18th Street, 4th Floor
Only Credit Cards Accepted