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    BREXIT: Currency Arbitrage Via Luxury Brands

    Dissecting the geopolitical consequences of Great Britain’s vote to exit the EU is best left to the pundits. Watching markets and currencies shift so drastically, however, makes it very tempting to take advantage of retail’s pricing inefficiencies.

    Most money managers and hedge experts consider such an anomaly an arbitrage opportunity. Arbitrage is defined as the simultaneous buying and selling of securities, currency, or commodities in different markets or in derivative forms in order to take advantage of differing prices for the same asset. In this instance, we can consider Chanel classics, Hermes Birkins or other fashion items to be our ‘asset’ or commodity.

    If you’ve ever shopped in London, you know that the currency exchange normally makes the experience very expensive. As a matter of fact, it’s often cited as one of the most expensive places in the world to shop. Well, not right now. As the pound to dollar exchange hovers around 1.3, we couldn’t help running the numbers on some of our favorite luxury items.

    Hermes Birkin 30 Togo
    $11,300 New York
    $8122 London
    Savings of $3100 + VAT ‪back
    Chanel new medium Boy Bag
    $5200 New York
    $4400 London
    Savings of $800 + VAT back

    Beyond looking at these high priced fashion classics, there are a few other international websites that will ship to the United States. You can shop at Net-A-Porter’s UK site and have the merchandise shipped to the US. A Gucci GG Marmont bag is $800 less expensive when you buy it on the British version of the site. There is also a large markdown section on the site, but the discounts aren’t as high as the US. You might need to check back and forth before committing to a currency.

    In some instances, it might pay to shop from the UK version of a US retailer. For example, on Shopbop you can shop in British Sterling Pounds and ship to the US, Just make sure the shipping cost doesn’t overtake the benefit. Below is a list of sites that you can consider. Many even have some great sales. Happy BREXIT!!!

    Charlotte Tilbury Cosmetics

    Farfetch up to 70% off

    Forward by Elyse Walker up to 50% off

    Matches up to 50% off

    Shopbop up to 70% off

    Stylebop Up to 50% and extra 10% off for the weekend

    The Corner Up to 70% off

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    Shopbop: Extra 25% Off Sale

    Just in time for the last minute beach season, Shopbop is offering an extra 25% off sale items. The extra discount brings the ultimate markdown to about 85% off. Just use the code 25EXTRA at checkout.

    This is a great time to stock up. Browsing through the 70% off section, which is final sale, we found a Clover Canyon maxi sundress that come to about $85 from $374. (The dress is perfect for over a bathing suit.) We love this scarf dress that’s just $66 from $325. Keeping within the same section of 70% off there is a Moschino soda dress that comes to $600 from $2700, a Mugler dress is $550 from $2500 and there are lots and lots of swimsuits.

    The sale ends Friday at midnight (PT). This is the best deal you can expect, outside of Shopbop’s friends and family sale. If you ask us, it seems like a good opportunity to celebrate July 4th.

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    The Best Online Deals Now

    Yesterday, we spent some time taking a closer look at the discounts at our local department stores. Today we are crawling the web, searching for the best deals.

    One would think that online price comparisons would be easy but e-tailers purposely make it difficult. Instead of one broad markdown, most online stores individually price items according to their inventory levels. It’s almost impossible to nail down a discount at destinations like Ssense and Net-a-Porter. Generally the discounts at sites range from 40% to 70% off. One must really shop around to find the real deal.

    We haven’t seen the Chloe Faye bag on sale anywhere but SSense has a few styles on markdown. Net-A-Porter has the best Dolce & Gabbana selection but the markdowns on most items are just 40%. Moda’s selection is almost as good and is offering savings up to 60% and Ssense has some items discounted 70%,

    Take note, that Moda Operandi seems like the overall winner as it still has a really great selection of designer merchandise and most everything is 50% off.  Below is a comparison chart of Ssense,  M’oda Operandi and Net-a-Porter.

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    Where to Find the Best Discounts Now

    This week, second markdowns topped the news. Almost all designer brands are on the sale list and have been reduced at least twice. (Chanel and a few other brands are still the exception.) At all of our department store’s spring and summer clothing is discounted 60% off but the prices of shoes and handbags vary greatly.

    Take note, some boutiques offer even lower markdowns than the department stores. Never discount the benefit of comparing the sales of department stores with boutiques. Below is a comparison chart of Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue.

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    The IT-it: Hats on to Eugenia Kim

    Nothing is more stylish than good skin. That means keeping your face out of the sun– according to every dermatologist. Luckily, hat options have exploded and Eugenia Kim’s embroidered versions couldn’t make us more giddy with excitement.

    Wearing a wide brim hat, or any hat, takes confidence and poise. It also takes a high level of social grace to navigate the look outside of a beach setting. Determining the appropriate time to remove your cake topper is a skill many women are not adroit enough to navigate. (It’s usually best to take it off while at a restaurant even if you have a case of hat-head.)

    Eugenia takes an innovative and playful approach to head-toppers that should not be limited to the sand and pool. We absolutely love, love, love the designer’s witty embroidered hats. Neiman Marcus has an excellent assortment including fan favorites: ‘Do not disturb‘, ‘Currently offline‘ and ‘Wish you were here‘. There is also a variety of fedoras and headscarfs, which are perfect for perfecting your blond locks as much as your sensitive skin.

    Online shoppers should take advantage of the free shipping and free returns offered by Neiman Marcus. If only all stores had such a great selection and were as easy to shop as Neiman Marcus.

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    Inside the Chanel Sale (Bergdorf Goodman)

    Chanel will take it’s official sale position this week and we couldn’t help ourselves from continuing to gather intelligence from all retail points. Bergdorf Goodman, in particular, seems to have a wide variety of styles and lots of sizes available. You can click here to see the every Chanel shoe going on sale.

    Unfortunately, Bergdorf Goodman has been on a two year streak of not discounting any bags and the jewelry assortment that’s going on markdown is, ahem, not very good. We suggest you concentrate on the shoes where the discount is 30% off.

    Take note, the discount on shoes at Chanel boutiques, Barneys and Bloomies is 40%. We strongly suggest you steer clear of the Chanel boutiques, as all sales are final and a size exchange won’t even be allowed until you grovel to a manager. We try to avoid those types of scenarios whenever possible.

    We hear that this sale season is particularly slow. You might want to wait until the next markdown unless you have your heart set on a particular pair of shoes. In not too much time, the discount will be 50% off.

    Doreen 347-986-9483

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    Phat Buddha Sample Sale

    They say that Summer bodies are made in the Winter, but healthy bodies are perennial. Sometimes, however, the variety of fitness options from Class Pass isn’t even enough to motivate you to squat another inch. That’s why we’ve taken to the reward system…

    Experts say that the best way to reinforce good habits is to create a reward system. Our good-job pat-on-the-back is obviously buying  new workout gear. Hello! There’s a reason why every gym has a clothing boutique.

    Next week, you can reward yourself and save a bundle at Phat Buddha’s first ever sample sale. If you’re not on the SLT-AKT-FLY circuit, we suggest you study up fast. Phat Buddha is known for their seamless construction and high-fashion edge. It’s a pillar brand at every fitness focused fashion store from Bandier to Shopbop.

    The Phat Buddha pop-up will include active wear for men, women and children. Discounts will run from 30% to 60% off retail prices that normal range between $70 and $250. We only wish that exercising were as addictive as shopping.

    Phat Buddha Sample Sale
    Monday June 20 through Friday, June 24
    10am to 7pm daily
    501 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Floor (Elie Tahari Outlet Store)
    Between 41st & 42nd St

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    Neiman Marcus: Gucci, Prada, Valentino, YSL Extra 25% Off

    Neiman Marcus started an online promotion, today, where many sale items are reduced an extra 25% off. In addition, the online arm of the department store added more designer items to their sale.

    Heading to the Valentino section, the bag assortment has exploded. Here’s a limited edition Batman tote that’s reduced to $2267 from $4445, a handprinted Rockstud is $3300 from $4500 and a Va Va Voom Rockstud is $1700 from $2900. If you’re looking to take advantage of the extra 25% off direct your attention towards these playful beaded sandals, Rockstud booties that come to $630 from $1400 and lace-up lather sandals come to $700 from $1600. The clothing selection is really great too but isn’t eligible for the additional discount.

    Over at Gucci there are a lot of items with additional discounts. A floral embroidered tote bag with a bamboo handle is $2400 from $3800, printed espadrilles are $220 from $400 and sunglasses are reduced to $131 from $270. If you’re into silver loafers, nab these for $350 from $620.

    The sale also includes a lot of Prada, Saint Laurent and Mary Katrantzou that boast discounts that top 60% off. If the discount doesn’t seem like enough, you can add the items to your cart and wait… more often than not, you’ll receive an extra discount code that will send you clicking the buy-it-now button.

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