Madison Avenue Spy

The Five Best Places to Shop After Christams

December 26, 2015

Black Friday is for the amateurs. Real shoppers sharpen elbows for the day after Christmas. It’s the time of year where you can still find a rather good selection of merchandise that’s highly discounted. Over the course of the week you’ll also find great opportunities to pounce on hard-to-find items that may get returned.

Below are some of our favorite post-Christmas shopping destinations. Share your favorites in the comment section below:

1. Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks is enticing shoppers with discounts for a total savings of up to 70% off. We suggest you get there now because after the clock strikes noon the additional savings ends. Online shoppers can continue to snag the additional discounts until midnight. A DVF shirtdress is $170 from $570, Kitty flats from Charlotte Olympia are $225 from $625 and pink Dolce & Gabbana lace pumps are $313 from $900.

2. Net-a-Porter
Luxury e-tailer, Net-a-Porter, already started their second markdown and some items are reduced up to 70% off. Post Christmas, you will notice that a lot more merchandise will be reduced to that 70% off mark. A Barbara Casasola black turtle neck is $171 from $5670, Roland Mouret aqua dress is $452 from $1500 and Paul Andrew high fringed boots are $600 from $2000.

3. Manolo Blahnik
Manolo Blahnik usually starts their first markdown immediately after New Years. The discount is normally 33% off but if you can wait three weeks, prices get slashed to 50%. Then, right when you think your winter blues can’t get any worse, Manolo starts their February clearance sale where shoes are discounted up to 75% off.

4. Ralph Lauren
When Ralph Lauren slashes up to 70% off we’ve been known to raid the Rhinelander Mansion for cashmere sweaters for ourselves. The best part is that most of the leftover men’s stock is a size XS, which is just perfect for us. Just be careful, prices in the store don’t always match up online. So you might be better off just staying at home and shopping online. Right now, online shoppers can save an additional 40% off already reduced merchandise.

5. Barneys New York
Barneys still has better markdown opportunities than their competitors. Shortly, the store will begin to lose its competitive edge as other stores reduce accessories and shoes past 60%. The biggest Barneys advantage is their fashion lusty inventory. Gianvito Rossi ankle boots are $520 from $1300, an Isabel Marant beaded gown is $750 from $1875 and a Saint Laurent miniskirt is $800 from $2000.

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Online Holiday Shopping Deadlines

December 23, 2015

The holiday shopping season is quickly coming to a crescendo. Most online stores can still get your gift there in time for Christmas but it may cost you. Cabbing all over the city will cost you too. Here is your guide to getting your gift there on time. Many stores and boutiques though out the city offer messenger service. Prices tend to range from $15 to $30. Some stores will wave the fee for expensive purchases.

Barneys
Get it there: Next business day $20
Deadline: 12/23 at 12:00PM EST
Gift Wrapping: Free black box and black & white ribbon
Discount: Up to 60%

Bergdorf Goodman
Get it there: Free Rush shipping with the code BGRUSH
Deadline: 12/23 at 12:00PM EST
Gift Wrapping: Free silver box with lavender ribbon
Discount: Up to 60%

Bloomingdales
Get it there: Express delivery $13
Deadline: 12/23 12:00PM EST
Gift Wrapping: $5 white bottom and black top with elastic bow
Discount: Up to 60%

Net-a-Porter
Get it there: Next business day $20
Deadline: 12/23 5:30PM EST
Gift Wrapping: Free, sale items come wrapped in tissue paper but full priced merchandise is eligible for their iconic matte black boxes
Discount: Up to 70%

Nordstrom
Get it there: Free Rush
Deadline: 12/23 12:00PM EST
Gift Wrapping: Not available on all items but the $2 gift set includes a gift box, tissue paper, a silver ribbon and a gift tag
Discount: Up to 60%

Saks Fifth Avenue
Get it there: Free shipping with the code HOLIDAY
Deadline: 12/23 12:00PM EST
Gift Wrapping: Free black box with snowflakes, red bottom and red ribbon
Discount: Up to 70%

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Proenza Schouler 50% Off

December 22, 2015

Proenza Schouler is offering holiday shoppers a 50% savings. The discount extends to shoes and bags, which makes this the ideal place to shop for the designer’s popular PS1 and PS11 bags. The discount is also available online here.

In the boutique we found medium PS1s in gold, berry, aqua, mustard, burgundy and red along with a few print and exotic skins. They are all about $890 from $1780. The exotic styles are more, of course. The assortment also includes mini PS11s that come in metallic pink, gold, and rose gold and are also 50% off. You can click here to see all the sale bags available at the Madison Avenue boutique.

The markdown also includes a great assortment of shoes and clothing, like this gorgeous double breasted coat that’s $1100 from $2200, these mid-heel ankle boots for $535 from $1070 and thigh high boots are a relative deal for $945 from $1700.

Proenza Schouler
822 Madison Ave @ 69th Street
Adrian 212-585-3200

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Proenza Schouler

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Department Stores: Finding the Best Discount

December 21, 2015

There are just a few days before Christmas and there isn’t a lot of time to pick up last minute gifts. Almost all of our favorite stores have taken a second markdown. One can expect to universally save 60% on women’s clothing but if you’re in the market for shoes are bags, the discounts vary greatly.

Below is a comparison chart of Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. The next and final markdown usually happens mid-January.

Here is your discount cheat sheet:

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Bergdorf Begins Second Markdown Now

December 18, 2015

This is a huge weekend for retailers and your last chance to finalize your holiday shopping list. Retailers are only adding to your temptation by taking second markdowns. Bergdorf Goodman is the latest store to start promoting additional discounts.

Handbags are now 50% off, which is excellent except the online selection isn’t very good. A Givenchy Pandora is $1100 from $2300 and a Valentino fringy shoulder bag is $939 from $1900. The shoe collection, on the other hand, is excellent. The markdown is 50% off and the selection is top-notch. Manolo fringe boots are $900 from $1900 and Tom Ford sandals are $750 from $1500. Careful, some styles like Valentino Rockstuds are still only 30% off.

Lets sink our teeth, or wallets, into where we can find the deals. Clothing! That Dolce & Gabbana Je t’aims sweater is now $790 from $2000, a Marco de Vincenzo pleated dress is $929 from $2330 and a Donna Karan double-face cashmere coat is $1659 from $3900.

We suggest you pounce on this second markdown right away. It’s not often that Bergdorfs goes toe-to-toe with Barneys this early in the season. (Shoe pun intended.)

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The It-it: Sandals With Pompoms & Charms

December 18, 2015

If you haven’t heard of Elina Linardaki’s Penny Lane sandals ($187.51) it’s a good thing because it means you’ll be the first to have them. The Greek label is quickly rising to fashion fame for their pompom and charm embellished sandals. Instagramers can’t get enough and neither can we.

The whimsical footwear is all handcrafted by expert Greek shoemakers. Each sandal is uniquely outfitted with friendship bracelets, turquoise, stones, tassels and pompoms. It’s almost as if they were designed specifically for fantasy vacations.

Elina Linardaki’s sandals can be found on Etsy but shipping takes a bit of time. Those who need their fix before schools let out can head to the Muzungu Sisters pop-up, which is open until December 19 at 402 West 13th Street.

These sandals are on the must-have list for anyone traveling to a warm weather climate for holidays. That includes most anywhere south of Miami–Rivera Maya, St. Barths, Anguilla et al. We only hope to wear out our first pair before Hampton weekends return.

Madison Avenue Spy

The IT-It

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Barneys Takes Their Second Markdown

December 17, 2015

Barneys started their second markdown today online and in stores. Most sale merchandise is now 60% off. There is still a wide assortment of fall/winter shoes, bags and ready-to-wear. Another markdown may come but most of the stuff you want will be gone by then.

The Barneys markdown is great because it includes an impressive assortment of shoes and bags too. A Valentino embroidered evening bag is $1760 from $4400 and a Givenchy bucket bag is $1000 from $2500. Among the shoes there is Fendi knee-high boots that are $620 from $1550, Manolo Blank lace-up sandals are $400 from $1000 and Nicholas Kirkwood pearl platforms are also $400 from $1000.

Among the clothing we found a full length Lanvin cape for $1350 from $3365, an Isabel Marant pink cable knit sweater is $140 from $360, a Stella McCartney bow dress is $900 from $2300 and an Emanuel Ungaro black and white blouse is $400 from $1000.

There will be one more markdown before the season comes to a close but there are usually not many desirable options. Shop now for the prime assortment, shop later for the irresistible prices.

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Need it Now: Last Minute Gift Ideas

December 16, 2015

We are in the homestretch of holiday gift buying season. For those who have planned and already wrapped everything with a four layer bow– good for you. For those who are still struggling to come up with the perfect gift idea– maybe we can help. Below is a gift idea for every type.

Shipping is currently free from most sites but if you wait until next week, you might end up spending more on cabbing around town (or shipping) than on the gift. We suggest you get to it …Now!