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    Weekend Shopping: Where to Spend It

    We’ve already established that the Hermes sample sale has turned into a disaster and is best to be avoided. On the bright side, there are lots of other store discounts and sample sales. Below is a list of our favorite upcoming sales and promotions.

    Feel free to add any we missed in the comments below or follow along on Instagram for updates.

    Scoop Friends & Family Sale
    Save 25% off full priced merchandise online and in stores. Sale runs through Tuesday, October 27. Exclusions include 3.1 Phillip Lim, Missoni, Helmut Lang, IRO and Rag & Bone shoes.

    Cynthia Rowley
    Head to the village, or as we like to call it ‘Marc Jacobs Way’ to find huge discounts on the designer’s girly fashions. Merchandise is reduced up to 75% off retail prices on women’s ready-to-wear apparel, accessories and one-of-a-kind samples.
    Thursday, October 22nd through Sunday, October 25th
    10am—8pm daily
    376 Bleecker St between Charles and Perry

    Duckie Brown
    Men can capture some real samples at the Duckie Brown sample sale. Prices will range from 60% to 80% off retail. A baseball jacket will be $200 from $650, cotton shirts will be $100 from $400 and a pocket jacket will be $300 from $1200. There will be open stock too but we suggest heading to this sale early because there is only one of each sample. Typically, a men’s sample sizes are a 40 jacket,  32 waist trouser and a medium size shirt.
    Saturday, October 24th through Sunday, October 25th
    Sat 10am—5pm, Sun 12pm—5pm
    321 W 13th St $3A (btwn 8th Ave & Hudson)

    C&C Children’s Sample and Stock
    The showroom carries popular brands like ADD Down, Aletta, Eddie Pen, Loredana, Imps & Elfs, and Val & Max, is hosting a sale where prices will be under wholesale. The sale begins Monday and runs through Wednesday. Expect to find prices 50% to 90% off retail. Sizes range from zero to 16.
    Monday, October 26 through Wednesday, October 28
    9am to 5pm daily
    12 West 32nd Street, 9th FL

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    Skip the Hermes Sample Sale

    The Hermes sale opened to the public today and drew the biggest sample sale crowd EVER. Some shoppers waited 8.5 hours and were turned away when sale organizers told them to go home at 5:15pm.

    “We were the first people on the line and we got there at 1am,” says Robert Samuel, the owner of the line-waiting service Same Old Line Dudes. After three years in the business Samuel agrees that this was the longest shopping line ever. “It was like the iPhone line from hell.” In addition to Samuel’s video above, he sent us a montage of pictures that can be viewed in the link here.

    At one point the queue spanned the equivalent of six blocks– 33rd Street West to 9th Avenue, across the span of the post office and back around there-quarters of the way to 8th Avenue. Samuel had 12 of his staff waiting in line throughout the day and was on-site keeping track of the situation. He estimated that only 50 people were being admitted at one time and it took about an hour for each group to be let in.

    One Madison Avenue Spy reader wrote to tell us that she used one of her four vacation days and waited for over 8 hours. She was heartbroken not to have gotten into the sale. “The people manning the line throughout did not communicate any time expectations or that they would be shutting down early,” says the self proclaimed Hermes fanatic.

    “I’m a huge Hermes collector and wear a different scarf and bracelet everyday. This requires me to save all my discretionary $$ so the annual sale is something I look forward to all year,” she wrote. “My husband had also given me the go ahead to buy my xmas gift and I was hoping to find some great boots and a cashmere and silk sweater.”

    Samuel says that one woman standing in line admitted to taking her last vacation day of the year to attend the sale. She left the line crying after waiting several hours.

    We reached out to Soiffer Haskin, the organizers of the Hermes sale, but didn’t receive a reply.

    Despite the exorbitant wait times, we are told that the entire process was orderly and emotions were held in check. Shoppers who did get into the sale early in the day report that supplies were already diminished.

    Despite rumors to the contrary, we hear reports that there will be no restocking. Samuel says that several of his guys are already booked for tomorrow morning. His plan is to get there at 4am and “swap out” at 7am.

    Our advice is to skip the sale. If this event continues to draw huge crowds, organizers are going to have to implement an appointment system. For now though, Hermes lovers are better off planning a trip to Paris. Prices along with the currency conversion will afford you a savings of about 40%.

    Feel free to follow along and share comments and questions on Instagram and in the comment section below.

    Hermes Sample Sale
    Thursday, October 22nd through Saturday, October 24th
    Thurs & Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm
    Soiffer Haskin: 317 W. 33rd St. (near 8th Ave.)

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    Before You Go: The Row’s Sample Sale

    After experiencing orange overload at the Hermes sample sale we headed to The Row’s sale. As always the ambiance was considerably more mute and civilized. This afternoon’s VIP preview provided a wide assortment of the brand’s timeless classics.

    Prices are the same as last year. All clothing is discounted 70% off and bags are 60% off. We are happy to report that there are more bags than ever. We found lots of hobos and backpacks, along with clutches and handbags. They had Market Bags and this multi-pocket bag.

    Folded on tables were the brand’s heavenly sweaters that ranged in price from $285 to $450 after the discount. Over on the hanging clothing we found two to three racks for each size– zero to 12. As usual, size zero had the smallest selection. This time around we didn’t see many leather dresses or pants. There were only a few pieces in each size. Prices for leather goods range from $900 to $1200 from retail prices that span $3000 to $4000.

    Among the clothing we spotted this Kenning dress for $180 reduced from $590 and this blouse that came to $237 from $790. We were very excited to snatch this long cashmere coat for about $870 from $2900 and this school boy jacket for $400 from $1325. We also found these polos for $255 from $850 and this Fessing coat that comes to $750 from $2500.

    We were sad not to find any sunglasses.

    After spending the morning with Hermes fanatics we were happy to be in the civilized company of The Row fans. As usual, this sale is always a welcome reprieve from the frenzy of most sample sales. While you’re in the building be sure to check back at Bonpoint’s sale. Prices were reduced to 75% off. Head this way to see our full review.

    Feel free to follow along and share comments and questions on Instagram.


    The Row Sample Sale
    Thursday, October 22 through Saturday, October 24
    Thurs 12pm-7pm, Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm
    123 West 18th Street, 4th FL (Metropolitan Pavilion)

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    Inside the Hermés Sample Sale

    Today was a huge shopping day. Both Hermes and The Row covered VIPs early access to their sample sales. Prices at both sales can make a rich girl poor but those shopping for Hermes or The Row don’t suffer easily from sticker shock.

    This morning we lined up with Hermes superfans to be the first to score discounted merchandise. Most of the lucky VIP ticket holders qualify by spending more than $100,000 a year with the company. Those spending less can sometimes score an invite from a compassionate sales person but if you’re looking to get  a VIP ticket for next year–you should start shopping now.

    This season the discount is better than ever. Most everything is reduced 60%. (Last year, the majority of items were marked down just 50%.) As usual, shoppers will find a nice assortment of silk scarves ($270) and ties ($75), twillies ($158), enamel bracelets ($172-$320), men’s and women’s clothing and  shoes and winter accessories. The sale has no cashmere or extra large scarves, watches, housewares, baby items or fragrances. There are almost no leather goods beside gloves and shoes: no cuffs, wallets, belts or other various accessories.

    The shoe selection was fantastic. We were quick to get these tall leather boots. Be careful. We saw plenty of people snatching shoes while they were distracted finding the right size.

    Shoppers are asked to check their phones before entering the sale. So getting pictures was difficult. Men’s ties come to $75 from $180. Scarves come to $270 from $670. Among the identifiable scarf patterns was Tendresse Feline, Brandenburg, Robinson Chic, Bolides and Galop Chromatique.

    Unlike some past seasons, this sale seems to have a nice assortment of clothing for both men and women. The size selection also seems to be better than ever with good options for men and women who wear larger sizes.

    The weather forecast is very nice for Thursday, which is good because we expect the lines to extend several hours. If you’re not up for standing for hours in midtown we would suggest waiting until the end of the day or waiting until the weekend.

    Feel free to follow along and share comments and questions on Instagram.

    Hermes Sample Sale
    Thursday, October 22nd through Saturday, October 24th
    Thurs & Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm
    Soffer Haskin: 317 W. 33rd St. (near 8th Ave.)

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    Bonpoint Sample Sale Overflowing With Merchandise

    The Bonpoint sample sale doesn’t officially start until tomorrow but we were lucky to get our hands on this mini-sized luxury in advance of the doors opening to the public. As usual, the discount on everything is 60% off retail but this season’s sale has more merchandise than we’ve ever seen.

    Might we dare say, this is the best Bonpoint sale we’ve ever attended. Almost every category of merchandise can be found at this sale. The merchandise is mainly from last winter’s collection and contains a full range of sizes from bun-out-of-the-oven to size 12. Some of the biggest gets from this sale are the wonderful baby accessories. We found gorgeous baby blanks, sleep sacks, burp cloths and hats. (An abundance of pictures from the sale are right here.)

    There is a full selection of inventory for girls and boys. The most attractive department was the outerwear, winter accessories and boots.  Boy’s puffer jackets are normally about $600 and reduced to $240. There are an abundance of girl’s cashmere sweaters that come to about $180 from $300 and a cashmere turtle neck sweater that is $114 from $285. A knit hat was $46 from $115 and a scarf came to $66 from $165.

    Taking a look at the shoes, there was a great assortment of boots and flats. Glitter ballerina flats come to about $102 from $255, a suede version with starts is $130 from $325 and biker boots are $144 from $360. Tights seem relatively expensive at $34 from almost $80.

    For the boys, there are tons of button shirts that are $60 to $84 from $145 to $210. Trousers are about $60 from $200 and jeans are about $60 following the discount.

    Lots of today’s shoppers were buying on behalf of relatives and friends in addition to their own children’s needs. Some people were also clearly stocking up on baby gifts and buying multiple pieces of the same item. Head this way to see pictures from inside the sale.

    We expect that the line on Wednesday morning will be very long. We suggest heading over later in the afternoon– when many shoppers are otherwise distracted with pickup and playdates.

    Follow along on Instagram to be the first to get news from inside sample sales.

    Bonpoint Sample Sale
    Wednesday, October 21 & Thursday, October 22
    Wed 9am~7pm, Thurs 9am~3pm
    123 W. 18th St, 5th Floor (Between 6th & 7th Ave)

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    Inside 3.1 Phillip Lim Sample Sale

    The Phillip Lim sample sale starts at noon today and we were lucky enough to scope out the merchandise early. When we arrived at about 9:30am, the line was already growing. We wouldn’t be surprised if Wooster Street wasn’t completely filled with anxious shoppers by the time doors open to the public.

    Those waiting in line will be happy to find the huge, huge assortment of clothing for both men and women. Those looking for bags and shoes will not be as lucky. The selection was small and was going quickly. Prices are about the same as last sale with small bags going for $200 and large totes for $450. Clutches are the most attractively priced at just $150 but in order for a bag to be considered a clutch it can’t have any strap or evidence of having a strap.

    The shoe sections weren’t nearly as popular as you would expect considering that all styles are just $100. There isn’t a big stock of sizes but the assortment does contain a few knee and ankle boots along with pumps and flats.

    As for the clothing– there is a lot. Most of the selection is what was in stores last winter. The problem is that the merchandise is still very expensive for a sample sale regular. All leather jackets are $500 and shearling jackets are $650. This black leather jacket with a shearling collar sells on The Outnet for $860 from over $2300. So there is still a savings of about $200. (The full price list is right here.)

    On the other hand this leather skirt is priced the same as the The Outnet ($350). The same goes for this sweatshirt that’s $150 online and at the sample sale. On the other hand this scuba fabric skirt is priced at $100 at the sale but is over $200 online. Click here to see all of our pictures from our shopping trip.

    There were no price reductions at the last Phillip Lim sale and we were told that there aren’t any plans for further discounts this time around. We wouldn’t make this sale a priority considering how many blockbuster sales are scheduled this week. Take note: the sweatshirts say Cash Only but all traditional forms of payment are accepted.

    Sale pictures are on Instagram and below.

    3.1 Phillip Lim Sample Sale
    Tuesday, October 20th through Friday, October 23rd
    Tue 12pm—8pm, Wed 9am—8pm, Thu 10am—8pm, Fri 10am—7pm
    151 Wooster St (btwn W Houston and Prince) Hosted by 260 Sample Sale

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    Inside Lanvin’s Private Showroom Sale

    This week is turning out to be a huge week for blockbuster sample sales. Just today we got wind that Lanvin is hosting a very private showroom sale where merchandise is all marked 80% off. Of course, we couldn’t resist taking a peak.

    As of Sunday afternoon, the door policy was quite lenient. Our mole was given permission to mention an employee’s name and she was in. Unfortunately, that’s where the excitement ended. The inventory is only one-fifth of what we found at Lanvin’s spring sale. As a matter of fact, the merchandise seems as if it’s warmed-over leftover’s. We suspect that most items are three to four years old.

    Among the bag selection there was one backpack and two small bags. The backpack was reduced to $300 from $1500. We found two pairs of sunglasses and just a few jewelry items. Most of the children’s clothing is smaller sizes. The shoe selection only consists of about 20 styles. A pair of gold loafers were reduced to about $180 from $890. Most of the dresses were “ugly” and unremarkable, according to our mole. There are some red and black sweaters that don’t register on the memorable scale along with small assortment of coats and blazers.

    There were no lines and only about 10 shoppers when our spy was shopping. She left the sale empty handed but just spending time in the Lanvin showroom was thrilling. The sale ends Tuesday. We were told that there may be additional markdowns but we doubt there will be any restocking.

    Unless you’re in the neighborhood, we would suggest taking a pass on this sale based on the door policy and poor merchandise selection. Those looking to get a Lanvin fix can always head to the downtown Century 21, which usually has a pretty nice assortment at about 60% to 70% off.

    Feel free to add any additional remarks or details in the comment section below. Head to Instagram to see pictures of what we found at the sale.

    Lanvin Private Showroom Sale
    Sunday, October 18 through Tuesday, October 20
    Mon & Tues 9am-7pm
    37 West 57th Street, #900 (btwn 5th & 6th)

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    Weekend Shopping: Friends & Families and Sample Sales

    There are so many reasons to love Fall: the colorful foliage, the clear blue skies and the fantastic shopping opportunities. This weekend is full of several friends and family sales and a few noteworthy sample sales too.

    The Jimmy Choo sale kicked off today and be forewarned– it’s a mess! The lines are long and the inventory is all over the place. The attractive prices are the cause of the frenzy. Men’s and women’s shoes start at $200 for the most basic style for and go up to $375 for boots. A majority of the merchandise is priced at $250. We suggest taking a pass on this sale unless you and a friend are up to a Friday afternoon shopping adventure.

    The Sandro sample sale runs through the weekend and there has already been a 20% price reduction since the sale started earlier this week. This sale is not a bad place to pick up an inexpensive pair of pants or a casual sweater. We wouldn’t be surprised if there were even more discounts announced this weekend. We suggest hitting the sale on Sunday on your way to get a Dough donut. (Addicted!)

    If you’re not up for sample sale-ing, there are plenty of more civilized ways to spend your money. Below are a list of friends and family sales that run through the weekend:

    Alexis Bittar— Save 20% off sitewide and in stores. The discount is automatically applied to all fashion and fine jewelry. The promo ends Sunday.

    Alice & Olivia— The Stacey Bendet obsessed can save 25% off everything. The discount is automatically applied. Sale runs through Monday.

    Milly– You can save 25% off the entire website. Use the code FALL15FF. Sale ends midnight Sunday.

    Rebecca Taylor– Shoppers get 25% off online and in stores. Use the code RTFRIENDS15 at checkout. The sale runs through Monday. Be sure to check out the micro-pleated skirts and ice blue tweed and faux fur coat.

    Be sure to follow along on Twitter and Instagram to get live inside information about this sales and more.

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