Looking to start Spring off on the right foot with a great deal on a Chanel bag? A Modern Take is hosting a private sale this Friday and Saturday, which will consist of a great assortment of new and preowned designer bags. Shopping is by appointment only. Please click here for more details or you can email
amoderntake@gmail.com for an appointment.
It’s a rare event when the local evening news in New York’s lead teaser is about a retail collaboration story. Today, nearly everyone was talking about how quickly the Lilly Pulitzer collection sold out at Target. It almost feels as if it was gone before it got here. We wouldn’t be surprised if Target cut their production numbers after a series of several collaboration flops.
Before you panic, however, remember that most of those opportunistic eBay sellers will promptly return their hauls when they realize that most consumers aren’t willing to pay a pretty premium for Target-manufactered merchandise. As a matter of fact, many retailers have an average return rate of 33%, according to The Retail Equation. If you factor in the “limited-edition” psychology, the novelty of a collaboration, hyper media engagement and the inertia of mass hysteria, you can expect that the return rates will be even higher than the average.
That is good news for me and you because Target shortened their return policy to just 14-days for these types of limited edition collaborations. So you’re likely to see a lot of Lilly come back if you stalk your local Target customer service department.
The best news is that Lilly Pulitzer is always available at, yes, Lilly Pulitzer. Be sure to take a look because many items are less expensive than you would imagine and the quality is much higher than anything found at Target. This little girl’s shift dress is just $48 or about $20 more than the shift dresses from Target. Women ‘s shift dresses are still affordable at $138 and maxi-dresses are under $200. Take note, Lilly Pulitzer has bi-annual sales (see our review here) where a large assortment of merchandise is reduced 50% to 70% off.
If you’re looking for the real deal on sale items now, you don’t need to go any further than Saks Fifth Avenue. The designer is one of the few included in the store’s friends and family sale and is all now 30% off. Neiman Marcus has this print dress on sale for just $32
Amazon also has an interesting range of merchandise. Here’s a beach bag for just $32, this market bag is $15 and here is a large assortment of print dresses.
Before you have a preppy beach party of your own, be sure to read our interview with Lilly Pultizer’s fashion director, Janie Schoenborn. It’s from 2010 but the content is still classic.
The Saks Fifth Avenue Friends & Family sale started today and we were expecting the same old. Boy were we surprised by how friendly Saks can be. This week, shoppers can save 30% off select clothing, shoes and handbags and 20% off jewelry.
If you’re shopping online use the code FRNFAM at checkout. Just take note, the exclusion list is longer than ever. We counted over 300 exclusions. (Read: Not so friendly.) Some contemporary brands and popular denim brands that are normally included in the promotion are now excluded. Among the surprising exclusions are Tory Burch, Polo Ralph Lauren, Rag & Bone and Burberry Brit, McQ Alexander McQueen and T by Alexander Wang. Yes, it’s a bit overwhelming.
Finding desirable brands that are included in the discount isn’t easy but here’s a small list of brands that are eligible for the 30% discount: Red Valentino, Theory, Frame, Missoni, Milly, Alice & Olivia, jewelry brand Marco Bicego and Ippolita.
This isn’t a bad time to think ahead towards Mother’s Day, especially if you’re considering a jewelry brand that’s included in the friends and family promo. If you’re looking for savings on designer brands you are going to have to wait until the end of May.
It’s quite clear that Reed Krakoff’s days are coming to an end. The not so well kept secret is hard to keep silent when the designer’s website is selling merchandise for over 80% off.
Right now, Reed Krakoff is offering a 60% discount with the code EXCLUSIVE60. That promotion applies to the newest summer collection and the past winter collection that is already reduced 50% off. The final discount on the already reduced collection comes to an amazing 85% off after using the code!
Check it out: Those silver ankle-strap shoes are $100 from $750, this white leather panel tee is $125 from $950 and this leather skirt is $200 from almost $1700.
Many of the sale items are already sold out but there are still lots of lucky sizes. We would also suggest browsing the Madison Avenue store before it closes and calling the outlet.
Spring is finally here, which means that it will be the perfect weekend to stretch your legs, take a walk and, of course, shop. There happens to be three upcoming shopping opportunities. Follow along for more details:
Saks Friends and Family
Start your presale engines now. Saks Fifth Avenue’s friends and family sale will afford customers 25% off most contemporary designer items. The sale will first go live online Friday and then begins in stores Monday, April 20th. The sale will run for a full week and ends on April 27. Designer merchandise will have their first markdown mid-May.
Nordstrom
Nordstrom ended the tradition of half-yearly sales and instead hosts six smaller sales. This weekend marks the next of those mini-promotions. Online we found merchandise discounted up to 60% off. This DVF sleeveless wrap dress is $160 from $400 and this Rachel Zoe one shoulder goddess cut dress is $140 from $275.
Lilly Pulitzer x Target
It’s about time you change out your Theory wardrobe of black, white and gray for some Palm Beach happy prep. Lilly Pulitzer’s collection for Target drops on Sunday. Be sure to scope a Target that’s out of the city, we mean Palm Beach county, to score the most desirable items. Shift dresses are bound to go fast but past experience has taught us that most items make a reoccuring surprise appearance. A 14-day return policy is also poised to help the situation.
Back in the dark ages of, say 2010, you needed to go to your local Gristedes or D’Agostino and pay top prices for household basics. If you needed a Barbie or toy for a birthday you went to the neighborhood side-street toy store and paid 50% to 100% more than you would from a big box store. But hey, city living isn’t easy and you have to pay for convenience.
That was way back when. Now, the game is changing. This year, a variety of personal shopping and same day delivery services have started to change the shopping landscape for many New Yorkers. Technology-based services like, Google Express, Amazon Prime Now and Instacart are offering city dwellers delivery of basic (and not so basic) household items within just a couple of hours.
Unlike Fresh Direct, these services offer a lot more than cereal and milk. Google Express and Instacart employ shoppers that physically shop the aisles of participating stores. Amazon Prime Now makes overnight delivery look like the Dark Ages with their fully stocked warehouses that’s stocked with everything from food to Play-Doh to technology and workout gear. The options are truly mind- boggling.
We’ve been ordering and consuming through all three companies for the past several months. These services all offer same day delivery within Manhattan but their specialties and fees slightly differ. Above is a handy cheat sheet that breaks down the major differences and our opinions. You can click on the image to enlarge the text.
Lisa Perry is barely a toddler among Madison Avenue’s institutions. as brand continues to get its walking legs it is celebrating its third year on the Avenue by offering shoppers 33% off everything in the store.
The sale started today and is also accessible online with the code 3YEARS. This season’s apparel highlights include these wide-leg pants with a racing stripe, the two-color Wow dress and the rainbow windowpane Jamie top.
Lisa Perry
988 Madison Ave
(212) 431-7467
This week’s sample sale line-up appears to be bit of a snooze but we found just a few sales that are worthy of further investigation. Below is a carefully curated a selection of our favorite sample sales for the week. Be sure to share your experience in the comment section below.
Cosabella
Through Tuesday, April 14
Mon & Tues 11am to 7pm
Store & Showroom 220 Lafayette Street (btwn Spring & Kenmare)
Expect to find bras and panties exclusively at the Cosabella sample sale. We are told that thongs will be $13,
soft bras will be $30 and underwire bras will be $35. Take note, only major credit cards are accepted.
Costume National
Tuesday, April 14th through Thursday, April 16th
11am—7pm daily
151 Wooster St (btwn W Houston & Prince sts)
Hosted by 260 Sample Sale
According to our records, this is the first time Costume National is hosting a standalone sample sale. It is hard to predict pricing but we are sure that it will considerably less than the current prices at Barney’s. If you plan on poking your head in, please let us know what you find.
Jill Jill Stuart
Wednesday, April 15th through Friday, April 17th
10am—7pm daily
550 Seventh Ave (btwn 39th & 40th St.), 24th floor
We are huge fans of Jill Stuart’s main-line brand and are often puzzled why the designer hasn’t opened a store on Madison. Besides being closer than traveling to Soho, this sale is poised to be a lot more affordable. We are told that prices will be up to 80% off retail. The stock is primarily women’s sample size dresses but there is a a small selection of open stock.
