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    Nordstrom: Final Markdown

    All those gift items we’ve been eyeing but having purchase are now ripe for picking. Nordstrom just started it’s final markdown. Prices are reduced up to 70% and there are no shortages of items from which to choose.

    Over this way, these Vetement yellow socks we have been eyeing are now $47 from $95. We know it’s still an insane amount for socks but it still falls into the category of ‘cheap thrill.’ We picture pairing them with cropped jeans like this straight leg style from Paige that’s now $99 from $200. Then finish the outfit with  these Jimmy Choo lace-ups or Prada Mary Janes that are both 70% off.

    Speaking of shoes, we are actually surprised by the amount of footwear that’s reduced 70%. Here are Prada shearling lined boots that come to about $400 from $1400. Fendi sock loafers are $314 from $1050 too. Brocade Manolo Blahnik booties are $316 from $1055 and Calvin Klein 205W39th patent leather booties are $300 from $1000.

    Other high-fashion standouts include this oversized puffer from Marques’ Almeida that’s reduced to $630 from $1050. I’m not sure we fully understand the exposed shoulder and safety-pin closer but it looks cool. (That’s all that matters, right?) This Helmust Lang Asymmetric dress looks almost as good but is very much practical and comes to $300 from $500 and this Cushnie et Ochs bustier is gorgeous and is priced at $300 from $1000.

    Remember, Nordstrom is great at price matching. If you see something for less money at another store, make the purchase and call for an adjustment. Nordstrom’s great customer service, never fails.

    Neiman Marcus/ Bergdrofs Last Call Sale: Third (Final) Markdown

    Bergdorf Goodman and the non-Manhattan Neiman Marcus are the latest department stores to take their winter merchandise to the third markdown. The discount at Neiman Marcus is officially up to 70% off and Bergdorf’s is boasting discounts hitting 75% off.

    Looking at the sales at both stores toe-to-toe– literally– we found the discounts to be nearly the same. Shoes are 50% off expect when comparing older style merchandise. Prada rubber floral slides are $177 from nearly $400, Balenciaga crystal encrusted satin pumps are $1292 from $2380 and Aquazzura ankle wrap shoes are about $400 from almost $800.

    The handbag section is still worth a browse. We are surprised to see so many options still available. Here is a Fendi bag strap that’s now ‘just’ $1400 from $4650 or a more reasonably priced strap is $550 from $1100. (Bags sold separately.) We also found a Balenciaga Blackout City bag in aqua for $1225 from $1445. Our absolute favorite is this Elizabeth and James grummet detailed tote bag that is only $322 from $625.

    Among the clothing we found this Delpozo dress, we think it’s from the Summer, but it’s discounted 75% off and comes to $500 from $2050. Adorable cropped Frame jeans are $85 from $245. Over this way is a Dolce & Gabbana leopard print dress that’s $770 from $2200.

    We must admit that the selection and sizing are better at Neiman Marcus but it pays to browse both sites. The companies have become very good at avoiding overlap and the assortments are quite different.

    These are the final markdowns at both stores but later this month there will be additional discount promotions. You just never know what merchandise will last that long.

    LN-CC Discount’s Gucci 50%

    We can’t say the Gucci sale was very good this year. The markdown assortment was actually quite poor. If you were looking for sale clothing, it was nearly impossible. We heard that Gucci cut deals with retailers to take back all their merchandise rather than see it discounted.

    While surfing some lesser-known online retailers we came upon a stellar Gucci Sale. LN-CC, which is based in Florence, and has an editorially curated website. The best part of the site is that there is a lot of Gucci (and other great designer items) discounted 50% and even more.

    Among the Gucci items we found this Gucci bomber reduced to $650 from $1300, this dress fits fabulously and comes to $2100 from $4200 and we just can’t get enough of this floral and ruffled silk jacket that’s $1585 from $3170. We can’t recall ever seeing these Brogue pumps (even in the Gucci boutique in Italy) and they are now $845 from $1700. In case you still need a gift, here is a Gucci knit cap for $150 from $300.

    Beyond the Gucci selection we found some great bag finds. This new style Valentino cross body Rockstud Spike is a steal for $504 from $1260 and the flap version is only $530 from $1570. The classic style crossbody is now only $412 from $1030. Over this way is an excellent shade of electric blue Saint Laurent Sac du Jour that’s reduced 50% and the smoking clutch is $645 from $1290.

    If you can break away from the bag section without too much damage you can check begin loading up on some great fashion clothing. Check out his Fendi blazer ($856 from $2140), the tailoring, especially the sleeves are incredible. Here is a JW Anderson asymmetric draped sweater $522 from from $1380. A leather wrap skirt from Acme is $516 from $1300 and this Jacquemus exaggerated oversized jacket is $432 from $1180.

    The sale selection for men is just as good. Browsing the site is really like taking a walk through a wonderfully curated European boutique. Don’t forget to say thank you (or damn you) once you’re as hooked as we are.

    Manolo Begins 2nd Markdown 60% Off

    New York is freezing cold. Where should you go to warm up and find some red-hot sales? Head over to Manolo Blahnik boutique’s second markdown. The sale started today and we’ve been told that the inventory is running practically at full stock.

    This most recent markdown, follows the 40% discount but proceeds the final and best shopping opportunity of the season. The final markdown is always one of our favorite sales and will likely take place early next year. Prices are likely to range from $195 to $350. Most shoes and low boots– even highly ornate styles– are usually priced at about $250.

    Expect to find a full assortment of shoes from the Winter collection. Personally, we are waiting to make our major purchases but those in town visiting or looking for a particular item might not want to delay. After all, everyone is out of the city. You can click here to see the reports from past final markdowns or slide through the pics to see what similar discounts can be found online.

    Manolo Blahnik
    31 West 54th Street (b/w 5th and 6th)
    Monday to Friday 10:30 to 6pm
    Saturday 10:30 to 5:30
    Sunday 12pm to 5pm
    Store will close from 2pm to 3pm for restocking

    ShopBop Discounts 25% Off Sale

    We have been waiting all month for Shopbop to host a great promotion. Finally, that time has come. For three days only you can save extra 25% off sale merchandise. Use the code JOY25 when checking out to engage the additional discount.

    Over here we found a Rodarte hooded sweatshirt that comes to just $100 from $345. Over here is a ruffled sweater from Philosophy di Lorenzo that is close to 75% off, or $220 from $800. Fendi sunglasses, perfect for your next vacay, are $130 from $500. This Veronica Beard sweater-shirt is $130-ish from $375.

    We are in love with these Mira Mikati jeans with ribbon cuffs that are about $100 from nearly $500. We would love to match that sweater with these Frame oversized cuff jeans that are $95 from $225. These high-waist leather pants from K Brand are a major must-have for winter and come to $580 from $1300.

    The promotion runs through Thursday. It’s all over at the strike of midnight. That’s midnight Pacific Time, which gives us East Coasters a few extra hours to shop for the perfect New Years ensemble.

    The Five Best Places to Shop After Christmas

    Black Friday is for the amateurs. Real shoppers sharpen elbows for the day after Christmas. It’s the time of year where you can still find a rather good selection of merchandise that’s highly discounted. Over the course of the week you’ll also find great opportunities to pounce on hard-to-find items that may have gotten returned.

    Below are some of our favorite post-Christmas shopping destinations. Share your favorites in the comment section below:

    1. Neiman Marcus
    Set your alarm clocks. Starting at 6am CST, Neiman Marcus will be offering customers an additional 50% off some already reduced merchandise. The promotion will only last until noon CST, so we suggest you work fast– or maybe start loading your cart now. We have our eyes on these Balenciaga logo short boots and these Gianvito Rossi heels.

    2. Saks Fifth Avenue
    Saks is enticing shoppers with discounts for a total savings of up to 70% off. We suggest you get there when the store opens because when the clock strikes noon the additional savings end. Online shoppers can begin shopping the extra discounts right now and through midnight Monday. A Chloe Faye bag is reduced to $682 from $1950, Valentino biker boots with a bow are $606 from $1445 and Alexander Wang studded slides are $250 from $600.

    3. Barneys New York
    Barneys still has better markdown opportunities than their competitors. Shortly, the store will begin to lose its competitive edge as other stores reduce accessories and match its 70% off. The biggest Barneys advantage is their fashion lusty inventory. A Calvin Klein tote bag is $789 from almost $2000, Aquazzura ankle tie shoes are $319 from nearly $800, Fabrizio Viti pumps are $290 from $735 and Frame jeans are just $69.

    4. Moda Operandi
    Luxury e-tailer, Mode Operandi, just slashed prices up to 75% off. Post Christmas, you will notice that a lot more merchandise reduced to lower values. A Rachel Comey blouse is $96 from $300, Jonathan Silkhai denim dress is $188 from $600 and a Delpozo so striped sweater is $476 from $680.

    5. Intermix
    Sometimes the best discounts are the ones closest to home. We love the variety at Intermix and the markdowns. Right now, you can save up to 75% off once you apply the promotional 40% discount. It takes a little mental math to figure out the numbers but it won’t take long for you to get the hang of it. (We find it easiest to divide by 50% and add 10% to get the final price.) These Frame jeans are $95 from $238, Jean-Michel Cazabat open-toe boots are $200 from $600 and a Missoni hat is $140 from $400.

    Neiman Marcus Discounts Hit 55% Off

    It’s the final weekend before Christmas and Neiman Marcus has been lagging behind the pack when it comes to designer discounts. The swanky store’s discounts are still not ahead of Barneys in some product areas but the selection is much better than anywhere else.

    Among the bags, we found a lot of options under the 50% discount. Over this way we found a Prada tote with velvet Trompe L’eoil detailing for $742 from $1650. A Love bag from Les Petits Joueures is $624 from $1110 and a Chloe Hudson bag is $1044 from $1990. There are also lots of Valentino and Balenciaga bags too.

    The shoe section has some great finds too. Over here, we found Balenciaga logo short boots and almost every size is still available. They are reduced to $425 from $945. Fendi slides with faces are $315 from $700, Jimmy Choo Moto boots are $527 from $1050 and Saint Laurent Niki ankle boots are $450 from $900.

    Among the clothing, this metallic striped blouse from Haney stopped us in our tracks. At 80% off comes to just $225 from $1200. Here is a Saint Laurent cocktail dress, that’s perfect for New Years. It’s $1480 from $3290, a Victoria Beckham dress is $403 from $2150 and a rose gold metallic puffer from MSGM is $339 from $755.

    If you’re still waiting for a better deal Neiman Marcus will bring the additional promotion up to an extra 50% off starting 6am CST on December 26th. This after-Christmas promotion will only run for 3 hours, so set your alarm clock!