Today the Balenciaga sample sale kicked off for employees and press. The sale is invitation only and the door policy is much stricter than we anticipated. You need to give your name and show state-issued ID. Fear not, all FOMO is misguided.
Actually, we toyed with titling this post: ‘Everything you won’t find at the Balenciaga sample sale’ but listing all the disappointments would be redundant. There are no Speedtrainers, no Triple Ss, no Logomania items and there aren’t any City bags in any remotely nice colors. There was so much nothing that we actually left without purchasing a single item. The worst part is that prices are actually very good.
So, if you were to breach security what would you find? You would see wallets in an unidentifiable print for $150. There are market bags with a ‘Puffer Print’ in extra large ($449) and small. We spotted a few City bags in Pepto Bismol pink and periwinkle both colors were priced at $399. Another style bag with a chain, which we never saw before is $350 and croc bags with a wire handle are $2999. (We couldn’t find links but you can see pictures over this way.)
The prices for shoes are amazing but there are no styles worth buying. All women’s shoes, including boots, are $150 and men’s shoes and sneakers are just $99. We found extra pointy toe pumps with that puffer print and then a variety of rounded toe style shoes, boots, and booties with a floral print. The men’s sneaker options are the best of the bunch but we didn’t even see the guys jumping at the opportunity.
The clothing is priced by category. Tops, knitwear, skirts, and pants are $99, blouses are $150, and jackets and dresses are $199. We saw some nice heavy tweed items, but most are impractical beyond the runway. There are stretch pants in purple, orange, green and black. Most other items are ill-fitting or strange prints.
We would call this sale a huge bust. We wouldn’t be surprised if the entire inventory was outlet castoffs. The sale runs through Saturday. You’re welcome to try your luck at the door. It doesn’t look like any of this merchandise is going fast. Take a look at the pictures and let us know what do you think?
Balenciaga Sample Sale
Through Saturday, November 2
Friday 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-3pm
123 West 18 Street, 5th Fl
