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    Bloomingsales Season Ending Sale

    Bloomingdales is closing out the season like Lindsay Lohan at a bar. Bottoms up!

    Shoes that have already been discounted 50% to 60% are an additional 50% off. We saw Chloe wedges, YSL heels and a scattering of other non memorable brands on the super sale rack.

    Making our way across the fourth floor, we found the best deals in what we like to consider the young designer boutique. A rack of Brayen Reyes winter merchandise is an extra 50% off already reduced price for a total savings of about 80% off. A black and white reptile print dress is $379 from $1895 and lime silk dress is $300 from $1495.

    Over on the additional 40% off rack, we found Lisa Perry black and white wool dresses with a final price of $386 from $1595, a Lela Rose top was $395 and now $98 and a Jean Paul Gaultier frock now $200 from $795. There are even Herve Leger dresses mixed in for under $440.

    Further across the floor, the more established designers are heavily discounted as well. Marc Jacobs is a further 40% off already reduced prices. A black and white floral print silk dress was $995 and is now $360 and a gorgeous turquoise wool coat is about $600 from $1800.

    The pinnacle of our shopping afternoo, however, was found in the Chanel boutique. A long cashmere cardigan with gold tirm and double-C buttons was $1,000 from $3,000.

    On second thought we may have been more amused by the Agent Provocateur “accessories,” which are now 2/3s off. A leather and brass “Ruxandra Cuff” was $290 and is now “just” $100. Sweetheart, Valentines day is about a month away. It’s never too early to think ahead!

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    Robert Clergerie 50% Off

    For some reason we always thought of Robert Clergerie footwear as delicate dainty shoes. Today we spotted a 50% off sign and ran in to check out the discount.

    We’re not sure if we may have been mistaken by the overall Clergerie aesthetic but what we saw was not dainty or delicate. As a matter of fact, most of the shoes and boots could have easily been mistaken as orthopedic. Was this a collection gone wrong or have we been mislead by a fancy logo?

    Taste aside, the Madison Avenue boutique has discounted their entire winter collection 50% off. Winter loafers, boots, sandals, heels and flats are all marked down by half. Most shoes retail for under $500 at full price and high boots– the best looking of the batch– we still under $1000.

    While on the topic, can someone clue us in: Is this normal Clergerie or a design experiment gone terribly wrong?

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    Gap x Stella McCartney Discounted

    It was just about 60 days ago that pint-sized fashion crazed toddlers –and their parents–were clawing over Stella McCartney’s shrinky dink designs for Gap Kids. Now the Stella collection is being phased out like a club-kid hitting 40. The merchandise has already taken a markdown and is now being discounted an extra 25% off, for a total savings of about 60%.

    There is a huge selection of merchandise at the Gap Kids on Third Avenue and 86th Steet. That MJ military jacket is $52 from $128, a silk flower applique dress is $41 from $98, tights that were $14 are now under $6 and a cashmere leopard sweater was $88 and is now $36.

    With prices this good you can let your child’s real fashion genius come alive. There is some sale merchandise available on Gap online but you have to sort through the general sale merchandise and prices aren’t as good as they are in the store.

    As a side note, Crew Cuts (Madison & 88th) is having a huge sale. In addition to marked down prices there is an additional 20% off already reduced merchandise, which adds up to about 50% off. We found some cute classic J. Crew tee shirts for $10 and floral headbands for under $5. Who knew you could have so much fun for under $100?!

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    Retail Therapy: Veronica Webb

    Veronica Webb has been captured on the pages of almost every major fashion magazine, including Elle and Vogue. She has walked the runway for major companies such as Chanel and Victoria’s Secret and was the first African-American fashion model to have a contract with a major cosmetics company when she signed with Revlon.

    Veronica most recently co-hosted Bravo’s “Tim Gunn’s Guide” To Style where she helped several fashion challenged women undertake a wardrobe makeover. Now she is unveiling her shopping secrets on Madison Avenue Spy. We love a women who hangs with Azzedine Alaia but isn’t too shy to shop at Zara.

    What’s your most prized “deal?”
    A classic piece like a trench, cardigan, shift dress, pea coat in a luxury fabric and a couture cut and a great price!

    Biggest regret that you didn’t purchase?
    I have a no regrets policy in fashion and in life. Make a decision and own it.

    This season you are looking for…
    Quality and great color.

    What’s your number one shopping tip?
    Going to visit my great friend Azzedine Alaia in Paris once a year.

    What’s your biggest weakness?
    Handbags. Secret sources for a fix? Zara and Isabella Fiore.

    Is there an item for which a shopper should never mind paying full price?
    These days? Only something you need in an emergency!

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    Chuckies Sale

    Chuckies has discounted their winter season shoes 50% off. Upstairs, at the Madison Avenue location, you will find a wide assortment shoes and boots. Sizes are limited but there is a great selection of Chloe shoes, Lanvin flats, Miu Miu heels and several rhinestone encrusted footwear.

    This Winter, Chuckies introduced men’s shoes to their store. It seems as if it’s been a slow start because there is a great assortment of men’s shoes, boots and loafers on sale. If you know a man looking for a new spiffy pair of shoes this would be the place to send him.

    Unlike department stores, all sales are final. So make sure to try them on and our shoe rule is not to buy anything that hurts in the store because 30 blocks down the road you’re sure to get blisters.

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    Zara Sale

    Zara’s semi-annual sale is underway and most items in the store are 50% off. These Zara sales are known for being a bit of a mess– lots of damaged and shop warn merchandise.

    The good merchandise usually goes quickly. So if you see any of the Balmain “inspired” shoes, don’t put them down. At $179 they were a bit pricey but are sensational for just $90.

    If you’re looking for one of the limited edition Zara 1000s, a high heeled sandal with criss-crossing metal chains, you can find them at the Zara on Lexington 59th Street. The shoe retails for $229 and hasn’t showed up on eBay yet. Considering they are still in stores and not on eBay we can safely call this marketing venture –a limited flop.

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    All In Agreement

    New York Magazine’s, The Cut, agrees that department stores secret markdowns may be a way to protect their vendors’ egos:

    So maybe stores are dealing with the ongoing recession like a celebrity in rehab. Sometimes it’s better to get the hard part over with in private rather than splashing it all over the headlines, so you can emerge from hiding with a nice facial and expensive new clothes and everyone thinks things are just great even when, maybe, they’re not.

    We couldn’t have said it better ourselves… and we tired.

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    A Better Mickey

    Before our cartoon tears hit the proverbial floor, Racked followed up our story about the Disney store closing with a report about the new store. The new location will take over part of the Virgin Megastore space on Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets.

    The new 25,000 square foot retail space will feature technological advancements inspired by Steve Jobs, including a new theater, where visitors can see Disney movies, TV and publishing in a “new way,” according to Crain’s.

    The Times Square Disney Store will be operated by Disney Consumer Products, unlike the former Fifth Avenue store, which was operated by Disney Parks and Resorts. This means that the costume that you’re 5-year-old picks out will likely cost under $50 and the merchandise will resemble what would be expected at a suburban mall store.

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