All this warm weather has us fishing for spring-like clothing. While searching our closets for weather-appropriate wears, we couldn’t help ourselves from noticing how much of our belongings go unused.

It’s been several years since we’ve rocked that red Chanel bag and that Hermes duffel hasn’t seen the light of day for almost a decade. Prada shoes from 2006 have been worn exactly twice and we never should have purchased that Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress in size tiny.

Seems like the ideal time to arouse that organizing hormone and cash in unused fashion into Summer 2012’s best purchase. Our first call is always The RealReal. The online luxury designer consignment store offers more than any other outlet we can find. The RealReal consignors earn 60% of the sale price. Then when you reach sales of $1,500 per year, your rate increases to 70% for the remainder of that calendar year. Try topping that!

For the next 30 days, Madison Avenue Spy readers will get a $50 site credit when they consign 10 or more items and mention Madison50. If you need some guidance, don’t worry. The RealReal offers white glove service and will personally pick up items from the New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco areas.

So round up your Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel, Prada and Gucci. It’s time to sell sell sell.


The RealReal
855-435-5893 (9am-5pm PT)
email us: stylist@TheRealReal.com

By ManhattanMataHari

With the warm weather rapidly approaching, replacing our favorite worn out wedge sandals from last spring is a top shopping priority. We stopped by the DSW in Union Square to see what designer items were in stock, at a discount of course. Head straight to the back clearance racks where with a bit of patience you can find spring and summer footwear discounted 30% to 40%, while boots and pumps are discounted up to 70%.

Fans of Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Ralph Lauren purple label, Badgley Mischka and Giuseppe Zanotti will fare best. However, our favorite finds for the day were a couple lovely pairs of patent Jimmy Choo sandals, both now $420.

Exotic skin Sergio Rossi pumps and Giuseppe Zanotti nude patent slingbacks are both marked down to $280 with a 30% cut. The best deals were on Stuart Weitzman and Ralph Lauren purple label shoes, both marked down 70% off. A pair of Weitzman orange snakeskin espadrille wedges are now a mere $39 while purple label suede loafer pumps are now $180 from $600.

We forecast that a bother markdown is still a few weeks away. Even though the best clearance merchandise can be found in stores, online shoppers won’t regret clicking around in the DSW luxury section. In the clearance section we found $99 Gucci flip-flops and $99 gold Gucci slides.

By ManhattanMataHari

Last month, When Loehmann’s started their semi-annual Italian designer event we knew it would only be a matter of time until the markdowns started. Now through the 13th Loehmann’s Gold Card members can enjoy an additional 20% off sale and full priced items. Don’t worry, becoming a Gold Card member is as complicated as getting a coupon card from Duane Reade. Just ask any cashier for a form and they will give you the card on the spot.

Once you’re part of “the club,” head straight to the copious selection of Italian ready-to-wear and shoes. Downstairs, in the Back Room, you will find racks of Valentino Roma, M Missoni, Moschino and Moschino Cheap and Chic. With the Gold Card discount, woven M Missoni dresses are $280 while a metallic Valentino Roma trench is $320.

At the back of the Back Room you can apply your Gold Card discount to get an additional 20% off goodies that are on 20% racks. For those who are math advise that’s the total is about 45% off. For example, there are lots of Piazza Sempione office appropriate separates are now $240 to $320. Don’t miss the clearance section where there is a rack of Theyskens’ Theory that has buttery soft black leather jackets for $400.

The shoe section also has lots of designer shoes still in their original boxes. There is an abundance of Giuseppe Zanotti, Costume National and Dolce and Gabbana shoes. There are also a limited selection of Lanvin, Alexander McQueen, Chloe, Miu Miu, Prada, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Casadei and Brunello Cucinelli. Our favorite picks were Lanvin flower sandals ($264), Alexander McQueen’s platform peep-toe stilettos ($320) and Jimmy Choo rhinestone embellished wedges ($340).

Loehmann’s Upper West Side
74th Street and Broadway