Temperatures are rising and so are tthe disocunts on Madison Avenue. We’ve collected markdown intelligence from some key Madison Avenue boutiques. Most stores have already taken first markdowns and discounts span from 30% to 50% off retail.
Before making an impulse purchase, we suggest you do a quick review of what sales are online. Sometimes you can find even steeper discounts if you look beyond a brand’s boutiques. Other times the brands offer the most attractive deals.
Alexander McQueen
Most everything from the spring and summer collection is 40% off. We can’t say anything much caught our eye. The clothing collection is much better than the accessories or handbags. We especially like the floral narrative but it doesn’t feel very McQueen. This is one brand that is in need of a revamp –and fast. Some pictures of what we found on sale at the McQueen boutique are over this way.
Daniel 212-645-1707
Anya Hindmarch
Discounts for the British designer’s playful bags, accessories and shoes range from 30% to 50% off. Most of the merchandise is just 30% off but cute beach slides are discounted 50% and come to $450 from $500. A crossbody Smiley Face bag is 30% off and many of the items from the ‘Chubby” collection are also discounted 30%. The markdown isn’t live online but we are told it will be shortly. Take note, some Anya items on Net-A-Porter are more highly discounted. See pictures of the Anya Hindmarch sale here.
Maria 646-852-6233
Balenciaga
Is there any brand hotter than Balenciaga right now? Arguably not. The discounted shoe selection isn’t as extensive as what you might find elsewhere but the savings is higher at 50% off. Market bags and select City bags are discounted 40% and most clothing is reduced 40% too. One of the best deals is the Blanket Reporter XS bag that’s discounted 50% to $845 from nearly $1700. Pictures of what’s included in the Balenciaga sale are over here. Take note, Triple S sneakers are back in stock but not on sale (obviously).
Nico 212-328-1671
Emilio Pucci
The discount at Pucci is 40% off for the cruise and the summer collections. There are hardly any shoes or bags included in the sale but the kids’ collection can be found for 40% off too. We suggest you browse the large assortment of sale scarves. Most silk scarves are reduced to $262 from $420. You can click on the jump link to see what Pucci clothing and scarves are on sale.
Terina: 212-230-1145
Givenchy
Anyone in the market for a couture wedding gown? Well, you won’t find it at the Madison Avenue Givenchy boutique but you will find a small selection of sale merchandise discounted 40% off. There are no Horizon bags included in the discount, despite the fact that they can be found on sale at numerous retailers like Barneys. The sale selection for clothing is also a lot bigger over at Net-A-Porter. Pictures of what you will find at the Givenchy store are in the jump.
Alee 212-650-0180
Prada
Prada boutiques only do one markdown each season. Shoes and clothing are 50% off and handbags are reduced by 40%. There aren’t many sale surprises in the boutique. It seems as if all the same items are discounted everywhere. You can see the entire sale selection of shoes and bags at Prada here. The second markdown at Barneys tops 60%, which will be a better deal if you can hold out and if you what you desire stays in stock.
Myra- 212-327-4200
Roger Vivier
It’s hard to resist a new pair of Roger Vivier shoes, especially when they are 40% off. The entire front room, of the second floor, is stocked with lots of beautiful discounted options. Sadly, we missed some of the jewel styles that you can find at some department stores. Unfortunately, Viviers discounted at many places online. We linked to a few but this is one brand where they prefer you physically get your prize. We have pictures of the sale Roger Vivier shoes and bags that we found at the store.
Edouard 212-861-5371
Valentino
Expect to fund Rockstuds galore at the Valentino boutique. The discount is 40% off, which is higher than most other retailers. That means that many of the most desirable styles are going very quickly. You can shop the sale selection online here or you can take peek at the Valentino Madison Avenue sale via our pictures.
Paula: 212-772-6969
I often get asked how we came up with the idea for Madison Avenue Spy. Frankly, it started at the register at the Gucci boutique on Madison Avenue. I was buying an item during the presale and the customer next to me was buying the same item for at full price.
To me, it felt like an injustice. It was at that moment, that I realized that sale information should be shared on the internet so everyone could benefit from presales, private sales and VIP promotions. Since then, Gucci has changed designers three times and is currently reigning as the king of fashion.
As brands find themselves at the top of a fashion trend cycle, it’s not uncommon for them to hide from markdown season. Last season, Gucci declared that its boutiques will no longer be participating in sale season or offering any customers any markdowns on any items. Instead, sale merchandise is being distributed among discount stores and outlets.
Not all hope is lost if you’re planning on snagging some discounted Gucci. The key is looking for non-Gucci owned retailers. Unfortunately, Gucci controls most of the space in New York’s department stores. Shoes are the big exemption. We already highlighted all the Gucci shoes that are on sale at Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys. Bloomingdales also has it’s Gucci shoe selection on sale– stay tuned for pictures and prices.
If you’re looking for a sale selection of Gucci bags, you’re going to have to be a bit more enterprising and identify retailers who sell Gucci but aren’t Gucci managed. The Gucci store in Boca is one good source or you can just head online. Right now, there are about two dozen Gucci bag styles posted in the sale section of the Saks website. Over this way, there is the Gucci Dionysus embroidered GG bag with the angry cat for $2786 from $3980, this red, white and blue top handle Dionysus is $2240 from $3200, a Willow Hill chain bag is about $2000 from $2980 and a laptop case is $400 from $590. Here is a link to all the sale shoes at Saks and there is still full size runs available. We suggest you act fast with this Saks sale because once news gets out stock will go fast. (Ah-hem).
If you can make your way to a Nordstrom that carries Gucci you might have some luck too. Online we found a few items that might be able to quench your thirst for sale Gs. Here is a pink Marmont that’s $1300 from $1950, a jeweled tiger shoulder bag is $2278 from $3400. There are some shoes still available but the assortment of children’s clothing is the most plentiful section.
We added the contact information for sales associates who might be able to help if what you desire is already sold out online. We would also suggest keeping your eyes on the more traditional online retailers who sell Gucci. After all, not many brands can avoid for very long.
Nordstrom: Selma 704-763-1146 Saks: Jay 561-537-9468 Neiman Marcus: Chiara 551-502-0465
We are in the heat of markdown season, but fortunately (or unfortunately), we have more responsibilities than just buying whatever we went for ourselves. Truthfully, is there anything sweeter than a finely dressed mini-me?
World Wide Kidz is hosting a sample sale of gorgeous European childrenswear that’s all discounted between 60% and 90% off. Brands include Moncler, Dolce & Gabbana kids, Trussardi, Simonetta, Bébé Sweeney, Mimisol, Fay, Hilly’s, Bikkembergs and more. Sizes run from newborn to 16-years-old and include a variety that will finely suit your children for camp or a fancy occasion.
For the tiniest of baby boys and girls, we found an assortment of gorgeous stetchies from Bébé Sweeny that are all priced at $25. Retail prices usually extend to more than double. A Trussardi one-piece with a matching bib is $33 and girl’s baby Moncler coat is $190. For bigger kids, we found a boy’s Dirk Bikkembergs blazer for $79, a Simonetta dress comes to just $63, boy’s Moncler shorts and swimsuits are about $50 and a variety of gorgeous Mimisol Summer skirts are $79. You can click through this way to see pictures from inside the children’s European Clothing sample sale.
The sale is scheduled to run until the end of the month. We are told that there will be replenishments throughout the course of the sale. We suggest asking if you don’t find exactly what you want. You never know what can be hiding in an errant rack of kiddie clothing.
World Wide Kidz
Tuesday, May 22 to Friday, June 1
10am-7pm daily
605 Fifth Ave, 3rd Floor (one block from Saks)
Net-a-Porter’s started its first markdown this morning. The sale scales up to 50% off and this first markdown has a wide selection of designer brands. We even found some items discounted more highly than many department stores.
Generally speaking, most popular bags styles are discounted 30% but there are some discount surprises. Here is a Valentino Rockstud Spike discounted 40% or $1677 from $2800 and we haven’t even seen this embellished style anywhere in stores. The same bags are only discounted 30% at Saks and Bergdorfs. Some other interesting sale items include this Fendi Zucca print Kan I that’s $2500 from $3600, a Prada ribbon bag is $1700 from $2860 or this YSL Monogram crossbody is $1400 from nearly $2000.
If you’re looking for even more savings on a bag splurge you can grab this Off-White tote that’s reduced 50% to $640 from $1275 or this “Virgil” pouch is $300 from $600. This Danse Lente crossbody is only $$212 from $425. Balenciaga market bags are also discounted 40% off, which beats out many other stores.
Take note, some of the bags (shoes and accessories) included in this first wave of markdowns are from prior seasons. Expect to see more popular styles and brands added in during the second markdown, which will happen in the next two weeks.
For the first time, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman will begin their first markdown on the same day. The official start of sale season for both retailers is Tuesday, but we’ve found that markdowns at Bergdorfs have already been put live online. That means that right now, you can start planning your wardrobe for the first weekend of unofficial Summer.
The discount, at both stores, is up to 40% off. Most clothing is discounted 40% and shoes and bags are reduced 30%. The sale doesn’t officially start until Tuesday but Bergedorfs has some of their sale items live already.
We highly suggest that online shoppers start their shopping and editing right now. Many items are already discounted online and more will be trickling in over the course of the next day or two. Once news gets out, the best items will be gone very, very, very quickly.
We have a confession: It’s been two years since we’ve set foot in Saks Fifth Avenue. It’s a little hard to admit since luxury shopping is our job. In our defense, we didn’t think there was anything that we were missing but we were wrong.
After a two-year hiatus, we were shocked by what we found. First, you have to see the new fifth floor. They call it “Advanced Designers” which could easily be mistaken for Anne Klien or Ellie Tahari but the more accurate description would be the “Avant-Garde Designers.” Shoppers can find a full selection of street wear labels, like Alchemist, Unraveled, and Off-White, along with more experimental designers like Rosie Assoulin, Delpozo, and Comme Des Garsons.
The best part is that it’s presale time and most clothing items are now 40% off. Handbags are reduced between 30% and 40% off and most shoes are reduced 30% to 40%. The sale officially begins Tuesday, May 22nd, which means the discounts will then be available online too. This season, presale favors Sake Fifth Avenue credit card holders. If you don’t have a Saks card, the full amount will be charged now and the price difference will be credited once the sale officially begins and items ship.
Upstairs, on the eighth floor the sale selection is already set up on racks. We wish Saks would stop treating the sale shoe section as if it were an outlet. Shoes were already strewn all over the floor and it’s hard to feel good about $1000 shoes when the store isn’t treating them much better than dropped french fries. On the bright side, the assortment of sale shoes rival Barneys. The discount is between 30% and 40% depending on the style.
Remember, the sale goes live online on Tuesday. We always suggest stocking your cart in advance. It’s faster to pull the trigger if you have already done your final edit. If you’re still questioning whether you should actually go the store, you can always see pictures of practically everything we saw over in the jump.
The Anya Hindmarch sale ends Thursday evening but there is still time to grab one last item from the playful Brittish designer. Prices have all been slashed to 80% off. Remaining items include just a few oversized totes that now come to just $500 from $2500 and a small wallet is $80 from nearly $400. Click here to see pictures we took at the start of the Anya Hiundermach sample sale.
Anya Hindmarch Friends & Family Sale
Through Thursday, May 17
9am-6pm daily
49 West 38th Street
Farfetch is known for bringing the world’s most popular fashion boutiques, and local and emerging designers and brands to a single website. Usually, sales start a bit later on Farfetch because many of the origin boutiques are European. Excitingly enough, this week Farfetch launched its sale.
The sale includes items for men, women, and children with discounts ranging up to 50% off. Take note, some of the more highly reduced merchandise is older and can be found for less at other retailers. Among the more current items, we found a Jacquemus skirt that is reduced 50% to $280 from $560, a pleated Stussy skirt is just $90 from $136, and this Benedetta Bruzziches princess bag is $590 from nearly $1000.
When shopping Farfetch’s first markdown, our advice is to stick to the brands that aren’t easily found in the US or are already sold out. Be aware, most of the discounts aren’t as high as what you will find during the first markdown at most local stores.
