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    DVF Sample Sale Just Isn’t the Same

    The Diane von Furstenberg sample sale is back following a two-year hiatus. Today the sale opened to a eager crowd of shoppers that were no doubt looking to capture the glory days of sample sales.

    Packed sample sale racks, special addition pieces and in-season merchandise made DVF a favorite of sample sale veterans. This debut hardly represents the past sales we used to love. The first disappointment is that there are no sample sale racks. There are also very few items from the current summer collection and only a handful of limited edition items.

    On the bright side, prices have remained the same. Wrap dresses and non-wrap dresses are just $100, tops are $50, gowns are $150 and fur and leather items are $250. In addition to this past season’s sweaters there are a handful of swim options priced at $40. Just take note, that the cover ups are categorized as $100 dresses. (You can click here to see pricing and pictures.)

    A lot of the sale’s inventory is from winter 2015. We spotted lots of chiffon pieces with velour patches, lip prints and tweeds. The best items are the gowns, which are located on the far left of the sales floor. There you will find long kaftans, fabulous laced pieces and embellished gowns what are all well worth the $150 price tag.

    Shoppers will also find a small assortment of shoes and accessories. Large bags are $100, clutches are $75 and shoes are $40. Despite the attractive prices we still weren’t lured by any of the accessories. Perhaps a trio set of pouches for $25 could be a nice gift?

    This is the first time we recall ever leaving this sale empty handed. Shoppers would likely have better luck shopping an end of season sale. Maybe it’s a sign of the times. Sample sales just aren’t what they used to be.

    DVF Sample Sale
    Through June 5
    Wed—Sat 10am—8pm, Sun 10am—4pm
    260 Fifth Avenue

    Net-a-Porter Sale Begins Up to 50% Off

    Net-a-Porter just went live with their Spring season promotion. (We would have posted about the sale sooner but we weren’t permitted.)

    Even though this isn’t the ‘best’ markdown there are always interesting finds. This rainbow Anya Hindmarch tote is 30% off and comes to $1396 from $1995, an black lace Self-Portrait dress is 40% off and these See by Chloe clogs are 50% off and come to just $178.

    Among the clothing is an assortment discounted 50%. Here’s a Rosie Assouline dress for $1350 and a Maje denim dress for $205. Head this way for your 50% off Gianvito Rossi heels, Charlotte Olympia kitty slippers, Tabitha Simmons espadrille wedges or a mini Alaia bag.

    Last year, the next markdown occurred on June 8th. We wouldn’t be surprised if the site slashed prices around the same time– even if it’s just a week away.

    Holiday Weekend Shopping: The Best of Sale

    Weekend bags have become the biggest accessory coming off Madison Avenue. It’s sale season-cum-summer and just because everyone is heading out of town, doesn’t mean the discount hunt will come to an end. So while you’re sitting in traffic on the LIE, you can browse the hottest sale items on the internet.

    You can scroll through the slideshow below to see some of the most covetable sale items and find a full list of available holiday weekend discounts. As always, shoes and handbags are a hot commodity but uptown girls will never underestimate the value of a great dress.

    Asos
    extra 20% off
    Code: HISUMMER
    Ends: May 30

    Bandier
    15% off a selection of summer items
    Code: MEMORIAL15
    Ends: 5/29

    Bloomingdales
    Take an extra 20% off select sale & clearance items
    Code: BROWNBAG
    Ends: 5/30

    Century 21
    $20 Off Any Order Over $100
    Code: C21SAVEAF
    Ends: 5/30

    DVF
    30% Off Select Styles
    Code: SUMMER30
    Ends: 5/30

    Farfetch
    Savings up to 50% Off
    Ends: 5/31

    J. Crew
    30% Off Your Purchase
    Code: WEEKEND
    Ends: 5/31

    Moda Operandi
    Up to 50% Off
    Ends: 5/30

    Rebecca Taylor
    Extra 25% Off Sale Styles
    Code: EXTRA25
    Ends: 5/31

    The RealReal
    Extra 20% Off
    Code: HITLIST
    Ends: 6/1

    Department Store Discount Cheat Sheet

    Almost all of the seasonal merchandise in department stores are on sale. At most of our local shopping destinations, spring and summer clothing is discounted 40% off but the prices of shoes and handbags vary greatly.

    Some boutiques are offering even lower discounts than the department stores. For instance, Lanvin and Prada are both offering customers a 50% savings. Below is a comparison chart of Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue.

    Chanel, Celine and Louboutin still haven’t gone on markdown. We expect a sale to break on these brands on June 9 but we’ll keep you posted. Saks seems to have the best shoe selection. It’s a mess but it’s the only place where we were able to find a good variety of Gucci and Fendi. If you’re looking for something from Gianvito Rossi, you’ll need to head to Barneys where the discount is 40%. These suede slingbacks are spot on for this season.

    Here is your discount cheat sheet:

    Madison Avenue Presales: Chloe, Dolce & Givenchy

    Memorial Day may not offer the best discounts but some consider it the warm weather equivalent of Black Friday. Presale has started at many Madison Avenue boutiques and most stores will officially begin their markdowns next week. We’ve been investigating the private sale situations in our neighborhood. Here’s the scoop on Prada, Valentino & YSL and below are a few more places to banquet.

    Chloe:
    The Chloe boutique has reluctantly started presale, since every store that carries Chloe has already offered merchandise at a discount. The discount on clothing is 40% off and bags are 30% off retail. The bad news is that no Drew bags or Faye bags are included in the markdown. Some Hudson, Marcy and Keri bags have made it to the discount section. The boutique has fewer styles of shoes on markdown but we are told that they will ‘give competitive department store discounts’ if you ask.
    Lauren: 212-717-8220

    Dolce & Gabbana
    Lemon prints have never been so sweet as they are when discounted 40% off. Many bags and shoes are also included in the markdown. We just have a hard time justifying a $3000 cotton dress every season. Even at 40% off those pom-pom shoes are $1437 but who can put a price tag on a work of art? We suggest waiting for further markdowns, this print at Nordstrom is already discounted 50%.
    Stephanie text 201-951-2597

    Givenchy:
    The Givenchy sale officially goes public on May 24 but presale is already underway. Right now you can save 50% on clothing and 40% on handbags. Bags included in the markdown the Pandora, Markus, Antigonas and Nightingales. Unfortunately, this season’s leopard prints are not quite doing it for us. We’re not sure we would jump on those at any price.

    Madison Avenue Presales: Prada, Valentino and YSL

    Temperatures are rising and so are markdowns. Today we collected presale intelligence from some of our favorite boutiques. As you can expect, we are just calling this our seasonal amuse bouche. Enjoy!

    Prada
    The Prada presale started today and opens to the public on May 27. The Italian luxury brand has recently experienced difficulty attracting the attention of fashionistas but is likely to turn some heads with a 50% discount. We suggest directing your focus on the metal perforation bags. In the shoe department the flatform and woven espadrilles are the way to go.
    Zohair 212-664-0010

    YSL
    Hedi is out and discounts are up. Presale started today. Handbags are discounted 30% and shoes and clothing is reduced 40%.
    You can click here to see pictures of assorted styles included in the sale. Highlights include the College bag, pink Sac du Jour and cross bodies.
    Miguel (YSL Boutique) 516-493-1929

    Valentino
    You can save 40% on your favorite Rockstud variety. The presale starts Tuesday and opens to the public on May 26. Included in the markdown are 1975 pastel rainbow pumps and bags. If you can’t make it to the Valentino store, we suggest you head to Barneys where the discount is the same. Keep your eyes out for Rockstud shoes with pink leather and blue studs or periwinkle.
    Neusa 212-772-6969

    Gucci Private Sale Online Now

    We know you’ve been waiting patiently ( or impatiently) for the Gucci online sale– and it is on! The like is right this way the PRIVATE GUCCI SALE. Shoes, bags and accessories are reduced up to 50% off but all clothing has been omitted from the online markdown.

    Once you check into the site you won’t want to miss the wide assortment of shoes and bags discounted 30% to 50% off. There are some very good finds in the shoe department. Gucci horsebit loafers are reduced to $289 from $575 and mid-heel sandals are $300 from $595.

    We urge you not to hesitate. As of now, everything listed seems to be fully stocked but that won’t be the case for long.

    Step Inside Saks Fifth Avenue’s Presale

    We’ve spent the majority of the week exploring the sale selection of our local department stores. (You can click here to see what we found at Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman.) Today we tackled the presale shopping frenzy that’s underway at Saks Fifth Avenue.

    The discount on shoes and handbags is 30%. Clothing will be reduced up to 40%. Presale will continue through the weekend and the sale officially kicks off on Monday. That’s when shoppers’ purchases will ship out or they can pick them up.

    Among the bag selection, we found a rather large selection of styles from Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Jimmy Choo, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Stella McCartney. The Lanvin selection was already picked through but the sale selection from Dee Ocleppo is diverse and understated.

    On eight, in the shoe emporium, everything that will be on sale is noted with a presale sign. The very large selection of Valentino and Giuseppi Zanotti sale shoes are displayed on tables. The rest of the sale shoes are on a maelstrom of racks. We were surprised to see so many Fendi monster style shoes. We spotted monster mohawk sneakers that are now $840 from $1200, bug stud flats that are $490 from $700 and jacquard espadrilles that are $280 from $400.

    On the shoe racks (and all over the floor) we also spotted the best sale Gucci selection we’ve ever seen. Included in the Saks markdown are strappy booties that are about $900 from almost $1300, floral mules are $462 from $660 and linen clogs are about $700 from $1000.

    You can scroll below to see the sale items online or click here to see dozens of pictures of shoes and bags that are now on sale.

    Clothing: Delphine 646-370-0032
    Shoe Salon: Gilbert 646-206-0618