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    Hermes Sample Sale Alternatives

    We hate to turn readers away but we highly suggest you click somewhere else if you don’t want to hear the truth about the Hermes sample sale. So, here goes… The Hermes sample sale is a disaster that best be avoided.

    The thought of even mentioning the sale at all makes us cringe but we prefer to set the story straight while others emit hype. Last year, many Hermes sample sale customers waited in line for 8.5 hours and were sent home at 5pm without gaining admittance. You can see the full story and video right here. At one point, the queue spanned the equivalent of six blocks– 33rd Street West to 9th Avenue, across the span of the post office and back around around to 8th Avenue.

    At past season’s sales, where the chaos was minimal, shoppers found a nice assortment of silk scarves ($270) and ties ($75), twillies ($158) and enamel bracelets ($172-$320). The sample sale never carries leather goods or bags. Footwear is about the only option if you’re looking for classic Harmes hides.

    These days, there are so many other options if you want to purchase past season Hermes merchandise. One of our favorite online destinations is TheRealReal, where everything on the website is authenticated and guaranteed by their experts. Head this way for a Mini Etriviere 4 Tour wrap bracelet that’s brand new with tags and priced at $275 from $435. This classic scarf with tags is only $45 LESS than it would be a the sample sale. Here is another a brand new scarf for just $71. Over here is a brand new Clic Clac H bracelet for $445 from $600 and this wide enamel bracelet is $375 from $550.

    We find that TheRealReal grades its merchandise very harshly. So even if the description says light scratching or wear it’s often pristine. The disclosure is just a way to indemnify the online store and throw off the speculative French company that frowns upon resellers.

    Vestiaire Collective is another option that tends to carry plenty of Hermes items. The difference is that not every item is reviewed by the company on site, which makes the purchase a bit more risky. Also, sellers are from all over the world and the descriptions need to be translated to English. On the bright side, foreign buyers are able to procure merchandise without the added expenses of duty, which means you can save a lot of money.

    Here is an orange knit sweater that’s $781 from $939, thigh high riding boots for $950 and these never worn ankle boots are gorgeous and a great buy for just $500.

    You can scroll through the product carosel above to see some of our other great Hermes finds. That being said, details for the samples are are below. Just don’t blame us when the event is a big disappointment.

    Hermes Sample Sale
    VIP Access: Wednesday, October 19th
    Public shopping: Thursday, October 20th through Saturday, October 22nd
    Thurs & Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm
    Soiffer Haskin: 317 W. 33rd St. (near 8th Ave.)

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    Yoox Hosts Major Clearance Sale — 90% Off

    Yoox may be the most frustrating website in the world to shop. Every search seems to yield 800 or more pages of search results. We all know that there is good stuff hidden among those 838-pages (to be exact) but who has the time?

    Well. Today, the Italian-based luxury website started a major clearance sale where past season’s merchandise is reduced up to 90% off of the original price. The sale runs through October 9 and new categories will continuously be added. Take note, all sales are final. That means no credits, refunds or exchanges. (Not that we ever make it to the post office to mail anything back.)

    We just couldn’t resist from digging-in. It wasn’t easy. We wanted to give up several times, but we maintained the stamina of a marathon runner and the focus of a neurosurgeon. Here are 11 of our favorite highly discounted items:

    Sequined Givenchy dress is reduced to $580 from over $5300

    Beaded Vionnet mini dress is about $1000 from $9392

    Fendi leather coat is $780 from $3545

    Classic Emilio Pucci short print dress $630 from $2164

    Christopher Kane shift dress for $477 from $1086

    Wool and silk Prada coat for $465 from $2024

    Marco de Vicenzo jacquard wave dress is $4315 from $2101

    An organza and sequined Givenchy pullover top is $295 from $2759

    Hogan x Karl Lagerfeld down jacket is $255 from $907

    Leather mini-skirt from Alexander McQueen for $240 from $917

    Giamba print mini-dress is $235 from $1687

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    Saks Friends & Family Sale

    The Saks Fifth Avenue Friends & Family sale started online today and will officially begin in stores on Thursday. Despite the attractive 25% off discount on clothing, shoes and accessories, customers are irritated by the changes to the standard promotion.

    Instead of listing out hundreds of designer exclusions, Saks threw out the designer list and discount code. Instead the store has designated an opt-in selection of friends and family items. Some designs don’t even have their entire collections participating. It’s really an item-by-item situation.

    Far gone are the days of a friendly Prada discount but there are still some designer-y items from which to choose. Among the handbags, shoppers can apply the discount to Edie Parker, Les Petits Joueurs, Nancy Gonzalez, some Anya Hindmarch and a few items from Tod’s.
    Anya’s Space Invasion tote is $1837 from $2450, a laser-cut leather satchel is $1818 from $2425 and an Edie Parker ‘Gangster’ clutch is $1121 from $1495.

    The shoe selection is pretty bleak if you’re looking for premium designer discounts. Your best options are some Charlotte Olympia shoes, including these rock embellished Dollys that are $957 from $1595. There are about two, yes, two styles of Lanvin styles, including these tall leather boots that are $778 from $1945. Then there is an assortment of Alica & Olivia shoes, Chiara Ferragni and See by Chloe. Remember, only certain items are qualified.

    The clothing selection includes all the usual contemporary designer suspects but, interestingly enough, there are also lots of designer items included in the promotion. Upon further investigation, however, it seems as if the participating items are from last year. Take this Ann Demeulemeester“>Ann Demeulemeester sweater, it’s $448 from $1120. That’s more like 60% off. This Givenchy cap jacket is $1260 from $3150 and a Roland Mouret dress is $988 from $2470.

    We aren’t too surprised by this sly Saks friends & family sale but think it would be more fitting to change the name to the Saks Trick or Treat sale. For what it’s worth, the promotion runs through Sunday online and in stores but we wouldn’t be surprised if there was an extension. Tick or treat…

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    Nordstrom’s Incredible Designer Collections

    It’s hard to believe that we have two Saks stores, two Barneys, two Bloomingdales but still no Nordstrom. We hear that one is coming soon but it’s been almost a decade of talks and there still isn’t an accessible Nordies.

    What’s making Nordstrom’s absence even harder to digest is the killer job Olivia Kim has done since taking over as creative director a few years ago. For now, we will have to settle with shopping the incredible selection online.

    Check out the assortment of Vetements pieces. It’s hard to endorse a $1500 Monster Mash-era hoodie  but the shape and lines of this high-neck Victorian dress is remarkable. Check out the lines on this military jacket— it’s surely not standard issue.

    If you still haven’t invested in a great moto jacket, there is an amazing selection including versions from Saint Laurent, a fox trim version from Marc Jacobs, a Loewe version that’s so buttery soft and this classic from Rick Owens.

    Nordstrom’s is also dependable when every other store has sold out of your size Gucci shoe. They are one of the only stores that seems to remain fully stocked with popular styles like the mule loafer that can also be ordered with fur, the Marmot pump and double-G booties with the pearl heels.

     The handbag selection is also tops. There is the best from this season’s Fendi collection including the monster appliqué 2Jours and the classic Baguette with a monster theme. There is even a great Miu Miu selection, which many stores don’t post online any more.

    As always, online shoppers should take advantage of Nordstrom’s great customer service, which features free shipping and free returns. If only all stores were as easy to shop as Nordstrom.

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    Bloomingdales Friends & Family Official Kick-Off

    The Bloomingdales friends and family sale began online today. Shoppers can save 25% with the code FRIENDS. Those looking for an in-store experience can presale now or being shopping on Wednesday.

    For this sale, the designer exclusion is extensive but there is still a great assortment — especially if they are looking for early Winter sales. This season the discounts can be applied to brands like Maximilian according to that fine print.

    Patches are super trendy this season and if you don’t want to make a big investment you can go for this Sunset + Spring Faux Leather Patch Moto Jacket that’s just $128 (before the friends and family discount!). These Alice & Olivia berry leather pants are more expensive but the fit and feel are outstanding. Don’t miss Riri’s exclusive collab with Puma. The promotion is also applicable to sale items, which makes sorting through the sale section worth the extra time.

    The friends and family sale ends online and in stores on Monday, October 10. There’s also free shipping on all orders over $150, which shouldn’t be hard to reach.

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    New Discount Store is Downtown Cool

    We can spend the day debating the demarcation line that separates Uptown from Downtown. Like everything in life, it all depends on your prospective.

    One issue that is beyond debate is that Downtown will always have a cooler edge. Perhaps that’s why the owners of Luxury 9, designer discount stores, decided open a pop-up shop on the Bowery. The Downtown location, which just opened this week, has the same great designer items as midtown but the collection is edited an avant-garde eye.

    Among the selection, we spotted Celine’s pointy toe pumps that are priced at $245, Karl Lagerfeld x Fendi sweatshirts that are $1130 from $1750 and insane (in a good way) Guiseppe beaded heels that are just $427 from $1425.  You can also find Gucci Ghost slippers, Gucci fur slides and Chanel flats nicely discounted. The store also has a lot of Margiela all priced at 60% off. (Some items are even from this season’s collection.) You can check out pictures in the link here.

    Among the bags, there is a selection from Fendi, Christian Louboutin and even Chanel. A gorgeous Buscemi backpack is $1787 from $2750. YSL Sac du Jours, Givenchy Antigona, Fendi 2Jours and Monsters are discounted from 20% to 40% off retail.

    Don’t let your attention for great shoes and accessories be stolen from the clothing. Among the racks are gorgeous pieces from Vionnet, Prada, Saint Laurent, Givenchy and Marni that’s all priced up to 90% off retail. The most spectacular items are the Versace coats that range from $800 to $1500 but the retail prices were several times that much.

    The store accepts phone orders and will ship purchases. They will even schedule personal shopping services. The hours of operation are irregular through the end of October. So we suggest you call before heading over.

    Luxury 9 Bowery

    Sunday through Thursday 12pm to 9pm, Friday 10am to 5pm
    Closed Saturday
    352 Bowery (across from the Bowery Hotel)
    luxury9popup@gmail.com
    212-777-4197

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    Forzieri Fall Collection 70% Off

    When everything in store is full priced it’s refreshing to find anything seasonal that’s on sale. That’s why we were so excited to find out that European online luxury store, Forzieri is hosting a Fall sale where many items are reduced up to 70% off. The sale includes an assortment of shoes, accessories and home decor items for men and women.

    Among the most heavily reduced sale items are lots of shoes, bags and jewelry. Ironic Moschino ‘No Heele’ heels are $226 from $555 and Proenza booties are $260 from $875. Metallic Vivier heels are are also $350 from $865 and Paula Cedemartori lace-up sandals are $322 from $805.

    Surprisingly enough, there are a considerable amount of bags that also reduced to 70%. This Charlotte Olympia bag with a transparent handle is just $780 from $2300, a Roberto Cavalli fringed bag is $670 from $1670 and this Pucci 3-D clutch is $465 from over $1550. We dare you to resist this Mary Katrantzou rainbow box clutch that’s now just $453 from $1510.

    Forzieri always seems to have some good coupon codes floating around. It never hurts to do a search or add an item to your cart and let it sit for a while. Usually some sort of discount or promotion will pop-up after awhile.

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    The Results of See-Now, Buy-Now

    When we speak about fashion trends, it’s usually focused on skirt lengths and particular hues. This fashion season, however, the most talked about trend has been how designers are opting to use their time during fashion week.

    Designers ranging from Tommy Hilfiger to Tom Ford have opted to use the fashion week media spotlight to showcase fashions that can be purchased by consumers immediately. This strategy diverts from the traditional system where designers show their next collection to buyers and journalists but shoppers need wait six to eight months for the opportunity to buy the items they love.

    So, how successful is the see-now, buy-now system? Frankly, it’s hard to tell. It’s difficult for a company outsider to know how much of a single item was produced or the in-store effect on sales. Despite our unscientific method, we decided to take a closer look at how retail fared when it was shared immediately off the runway.

    Alice & Olivia
    Stacy Bendet has a mastery of eye-popping and kitchy designs that jump off the runway. Her collections are the perfect fodder for those who impulsively need-it-now. This was the designers second show that was made available right off the runway. Neiman Marcus was the exclusive retailer and the entire collection appears to still be available through pre-order. Presentation highlights include this moto jacket that’s embroidered with “Always Right” and a “Loving You” embroidered boyfriend shirt.

    Tommy X Gigi
    Gigi Hadid took over the Tommy Hilfiger runway to a great amount of media fanfare. The collection highlighted chunky sweaters and bell bottom jeans. Heading over to the Hilfiger website it appears as if many of the trendiest fashions, like this wool bomber jacket and this Hadid/Hilfiger hoodie— have sold out. There is still a lot to choose from but shoppers are warned that many items are running low in stock.

    Rebecca Minkoff
    Part of Rebecca Minkoff’s see now, buy now strategy was to employ a bevy of blogger celebrities to walk her need-it-now collection down the runway. Big name blogger/models included Chriselle Lim, Arielle Nachmani, Gala Gonzales, Caroline Vreeland and Shea Marie. It appears as if most of the collection is available in full size runs except for this shearling moto and this leather jacket are both sold out in medium and large.

    Banana Republic
    The chain store, Banana Republic may not have a creative director but it does Olivia Palermo as a brand ambassador. The socialite curated a collection that became available online immediately following the presentation. A classic white shirt dress is sold out in several sizes as are these tie slacks but most of the biggest winners have been completely removed from the site after selling out.

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