Some presales are more difficult to infiltrate than others. Gucci and Bottega Veneta are two brands that like to stagger the opening of their markdown season starting with their best customers. Some consumers are happy knowing that loyalty pays off but we are true believers of equal opportunity shopping. Here are the details:
Gucci The Gucci presale started today. Bags are 30% off and clothing and shoes are 40% off. Included in the sale are the Microguccissima, the Miss GGs, select color Bamboos, the Borsa Lady Tassel, the Soho, the Emily and more. The sale goes public Friday, November 28th. Take note, if you are shopping in the boutique you may find different price tags on the same item. There was recently a price increase and not all items have been updated to reflect the change. The online sale link is right this way: Gucci Sale.
Bottega Veneta The Bottega Veneta presale started today for existing customers. Sales associates are “checking the computer system” to see if customers are eligible to participate in shopping the markdowns. Leather goods, like bags, wallets and belts are 30% off and clothing and shoes are 50% off. The sale goes public on December 1st and comes to a complete end on December 4th. The discounts are usually reflected online later in the season.
When you’re surrounded by gorgeous luxury items, day-in and day-out, you tend to get a bit jaded. Mass market luxury just won’t do. We are taking it up a whole new level and picking bags that can even make a Vogue editor drool. Any woman who turns up her nose at these handbags deserves a pair of sequined Uggs.
Impressing someone you love with a pricey gift is never easy. Chances are that Mr. or Ms. Lucky is extra picky too. Finding just the right item that won’t be returned is like winning the trifecta.
Here are a few gift ideas even the most jaded woman won’t shear at. As always, we suggest you hold on to the receipt. And, PS, feel free to forward these ideas if you know someone you know needs some “guidance.”
Barneys shoppers can begin to presale for the first markdown starting Monday. The discount is 40% across the board– clothing, shoes and bags for men, women and children. Besides for the outstanding selection, 40% discounts make Barneys the best department store to shop for holiday deals.
Among the reduced items are Prosenza Schouler bags in several shades, like silver, blue, green and purple. Assorted Saint Laurent Sac de Jour bags, like the studded version. A small selection of Givenchy bags, like the HDG mini tote. In the shoe department, you can count on most of the Prada and Miu Miu collection to be discounted along with Valentino and Chloe.
Barneys’ sales associates aren’t always forthcoming with presales. If there is an item you want to secure, we suggest that you give your name and number to the respective brand associate and have them call you when the discount becomes available. You can usually expect a call within hours of leaving the store.
Every holiday season there are items so hot that retailers can’t keep them in stock. Before the turkey even gets into the oven, it’s hard to think ahead to what you might want and need. Take a tip from us, it’s never too early to start thinking about what’s hot, because if you don’t, you may find yourself paying more than you should during last minute desperation.
In order to help you along, we’re forecasting the biggest sellouts of the season. This should give you a chance to get what’s hot now rather than trying to outbid the next guy. Good luck!
Louboutin Polish $50
Christian Louboutin is best known for his pricey shoes but this holiday season the designer’s newly launched red polish is sure to be a top sell-out. It’s the perfect luxury gift that says a lot without having to spend too much.
Hunter Original Duffle Coat $695
Finding the perfect coat that fits everyone perfectly is never going to happen but this duffle-style is as close to perfect as you’re going to get. The price point is quite accommodating and the style is catching the eye of shoppers. Expect this item to be picked up quickly after first markdown.
Stella McCartney Rope Clutch $1520
Hardly any stores purchased the rope-style bag and nearly everyone that did sold out. The clutch isn’t even listed on Net-A-Proter any more. This is the only retailer that we could find that still has this bag in stock. Get it before you can’t.
Valentino Mini-Dress $7790
That price tag may look like a typo, but it’s not. This dress is not far from 10-grand but is almost all sold out across the country. We suggest you jump on this purchase if you’re looking to ring in 2015 wearing Valentino polka dots. Nordstrom only has a size 10 and NAP only has three sizes left.
Chanel Wallet On a Chain $2195
Chanel’s Wallet on a Chain has become one of the hardest bags to get from the French fashion house. Inventory is sure to disappear before the holidays. We suggest you start your search now before prices on the secondary market skyrocket.
NIKE + Riccardo Tisci Air Force 1 $340
What happens when Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci teams up with Nike? You get a sneaker sensation. This knee high sneaker is a fashion lovers dream. It’s eye-catching and hard to get. Buy now or you will be at eBay’s mercy.
Presales– the time before boutiques and department stores officially being sale season– can be a tricky time to shop. Not all sales associates are forthcoming about the discounts and some will completely deny having any knowledge of a sale. For this reason, we try to highlight the markdowns at as many stores as possible and share the inside scoop. Please feel free to add your personal experience and intelligence to the comment section below the post.
Bloomingdales:
The markdown designer markdown will officially begin on Saturday. You can expect to see a discount of 40% on most designer items. As usual, Chanel will not join the sale party until early December. Sale highlights include the fourth floor shoe section that is filled with plenty of Ferragamo and Prada. You can see lots of pictures from the shoe department after the jump. Mimi 212-705-2489
Reed Krakoff
The Reed Krakoff sale is already in progress. Clothing from pre-fall and fall are now 50% off along with a selection of shoes and a few handbag styles. Highlights include a leather block sweatshirt that’s $645 from $1290, this gold leather trim dot dress that’s $1345 from $2590, a black and white snake print Atlantique that’s $845 from $1690. In the Reed Krakoff sale section you can also find lots of bags that are discounted 60% off. Matthew 212-988-0560
Tom Ford
Don’t tell anyone we told you but Tom Ford is hosting a sale where much of the fall and winter collection of shoes and clothing is 40% off. Unfortunately, only past customers are able to shop the discount. If you’re not “in the system” we suggest you drop a person’s name who you know is a regular Tom Ford customer. The sale discount on bags is very small and the discount is only 30% off. Included in the markdown is a large Jennifer Tote, a Jennifer cross body in white, a Natalia clutch in red, the Alix shoulder bag in a calf hair cheetah print and a neutral suedes and a gold suede, Even though you may prefer to rock Tom Ford over popping molly, the iconic dress isn’t included in the markdown and is still over $6k. Email me for info.
While most Americans are panning their Thanksgiving meals, we are stalking our favorite Madison Avenue boutiques for the first opportunities to shop markdowns. We uncovered some early hits of sale season.
Prada
Presale will begin on Friday. The discounts will range from 40% to 50% off but the final determination on discounts has not been made. The sale selection will include seasonal items from the pre-fall and fall collections. That means you can snag savings on lots of jewel tones — purple, teal and red were the predominate themes of the latest collections. This season the shoe collection was more of a snooze. The one exception is the tassel loafers with the chain. Right now, Bluefly has the style reduced about 20% off. Zohair 212-664-0010
Miu Miu
The Miu Miu presale will also begin Friday. The best part is that the elaborate moto boots like this studded style and these with crystals are likely to be included in the markdown. Again, they haven’t released the discount amounts for each item but we are told that markdowns will range from 30% to 40% off. Catherine 212-641-2980
Saint Laurent
If you’re looking to snag a nice savings on YSL we suggest you head there fast as the boutique’s sales people are currently calling dibs on the best items. Included in the markdown is this gorgeous patent and leather Sac De Jour that comes to about $1900 from $2750. Also 30% off are assorted colored Lulu Bags and we think we even spotted a black Trois Clous. In the shoe section, select Tributes will be discounted 20% and other shoes will be 30% to 40% off. Kiara 212-980-2970
Saks Fifth Avenue has started adorning their clothing racks with red presale signs today. The sale officially starts on Thursday and the discount is 40% off. This sale applies mainly to more contemporary designers, like 3.1 Philip Lim, Carven, DVF, Theory, Iro and Maje.
Many of the presale items aren’t available yet online but we can share with you what we saw in the store. Included in the presale is this Carven toggle coat that’s going to about $750 from $1270. This IRO leather and shearling jacket will be $1800 from $3000 and this 3.1 Phillip Lim ruffled sweater is about $600 from $1000.
If you’re looking to score some deals on the major designers (think 3rd floor) we suggest you start presaleing early next week– ahead of Black Friday. More details to come.
