The mums on Park Avenue are the most visible sign that Fall has officially arrived. The changing leaves and cooler weather means that sample sale season isn’t too far away. Like post-season baseball, shopping gets serious in October. It’s the perfect time of year to be on the lookout for holiday gifts, outerwear and, of course, boots!
We’ve exclusively listed only the sample sales that we think are worthy of your time and effort. The post will continue to be updated throughout the month and remain just a click away in the right sidebar. You can also follow along on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook to get quick and immediate updates. Feel free to leave feedback in the comments section, so that everyone can benefit from the ‘Spy’ network.
Pratesi Sample Sale
If you’re looking to freshen your whites you might want to take a spin by the Pratesi sample sale. The discount is usually up to 75% off. At the last sale we attended (which was a very long time ago) comforters were priced at $600 and sheet sets started at $500 (originally $1600). Cashmere blankets were $1400, while wool blankets were priced at about $600.
Sunday, October 1 through Wednesday, October 4
Sun-Tues 9am- 6:30pm, Wed 9am-5pm
Soiffer Haskin, 317 West 33rd Street
Credit cards only
Devi Kroell
It’s been ages since the designer’s namesake has been at the helm of the company. We are frankly surprised the Madison Avenue store is still open. Nonetheless, we’ve always been fans of the architecturally inspired designed exotic leather goods. We are hoping to find lots of exotic leather bags for 80% to 90% off (like we found in 2013) but we can’t exactly bet on it.
Monday October 9th Through Friday, October 13
Mon-Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-6pm
55 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1701
Payment by credit cards only
Dolce & Gabbana
Who doesn’t love a powerful floral print at 70% off? The problem with this sample sale is always the line. Last season, shoppers reported waiting more than four hours to get in. If you wait until the end of the sale you will find less lines and deeper discounts. Play your cards right and you can score some great Dolce without your blood raising to the highest of a hot blooded Italian.
Thursday, October 12 through Sunday, October 15
Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm
Soiffer Haskin, 317 W. 33rd St. (bet. 8th & 9th Ave.)
David Yurman Sample Sale
At David Yurman’s last sale, we scoped out a line that almost spanned the full avenue. Many people waited many hours before gaining entrance. Inside, shoppers said to have found cable bracelets reduced 30% off and other styles were discounted 50%. Rings and necklaces were 50% off and watches and pendants were reduced by 60%.
Thursday, October 12th through Sunday, October 15th
Thurs 3pm–8, Fri & Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 11am–5pm
The Altman Building, 135 West 18th Street
Lanvin Private Sample Sale
The (loosely) invite-only sale started on Monday and offers a great assortment of clothing, shoes, jewelry, bags and accessories for men, women and a tiny rack of kid’s. All dresses– long and short– are discounted 90%. All other men’s and woman’s merchandise is 80% off retail. Most of the clothing is from 2016 and 2015. Full details are on the blog here.
Through Friday, October 20
9am-7pm daily
37 West 57th Street, 9th floor
Wolford Sample Sale
Last season, the sample sale space was buzzing with excitement as women of all ages and sizes sifted through neatly arranged bins of leg wear. Prices start at $18 for tights and stockings with retail values under $100. More expensive tights are $45. Beyond the leg wear, the sale includes a variety of undergarments, bras, panties, shapewear and lingerie. There is also many racks of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. The shapewear skirts and tops are $55, bodies are $75 and dresses are $95. Ready-to-wear is a straight 75% off retail. You can click over this way to see pictures from last season’s sale.
Monday, October 16 though Saturday, October 21
Mon 10am-8pm, Tues-Sat 10am-7pm
260 Sample Sale, 260 5th Avenue
Bonpoint
Uptowners are notorious for wardrobing their tots from this French luxury sample sale. Expect the sale to be fully stocked with a large assortment of winter merchandise, including boots, coats, sweaters and winter accessories. As always, the discount will be a straight 60% off retail. (Shoes are sometimes discounted more.) The last day of the sale sometimes sports extra markdowns — but not always. Details are now on the blog right here.
Tuesday October 17 through Thursday October 19
Tues 1pm-8pm, Wed 9am-8pm, Thurs 9am-3pm
Metropolitan Pavilion: 123 West 18st Street (betwn 6th &7th Ave.), 5th floor
Only credit cards are accepted
SoulCycle Sample Sale
You can’t just spin, you have to spin the lifestyle. That means stocking up on lots of Soul-worthy workout clothing. We are told the discounts will start at 40% off retail, which doesn’t seem too thrilling. You can always use last season’s Bandier sample sale for guidance. We must admit that we are really impressed with Gap’s athletic collection this season. The prints are really spot on and the quality is as good as most any other brand.
Tuesday, October 17 through Sunday, October 22
Tues-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-5pm
260 Sample Sale, 150 Greene Street
Manolo Sale Sample Sale
We expect that prices will run along the same lines as last season. Plain shoes, including leather, suede satin, and printed fabric start at $125 ($136 with tax) and go up to $150. Shoes with embellishments like glitter and studs were priced $175. Boots started at $200 for basic versions and went up to $400 for over-the-knee styles.
Wednesday, October 25th
Sale opens: 11am and closes when the inventory dwindles (usually 3pm – 4pm)
The Warwick Hotel, 54th Street and 6th Avenue, 2nd Floor
Cash only!
J. Mendel
This VIP sale is by appointment only. Expect to find furs, gowns and shoes at 75% off. During a past sale we found a fox coat for about $2400, a chinchilla for $8000 and shearling for $2000. Gowns ran from size 0 to 12 and ranged from $5000 for a couture black and gold tulle gown to $135 for a satin blouse.
Wednesday, October 25 through Thursday, October 26
Wed 11am-7pm, Thurs 9am-6pm
RSVP: jenxsamplesale@gmail.com
The Row
The Row’s sale has been extended. One of the big highlights of this season’s sale include lots of chunky sweaters, which are usually hard to find. For the first time, the sale has a selection of shoes. The discount crackdown goes something like this; Ready to wear is 70% off, bags and shoes are discounted 60%, fur is 40% off and exotics are 50% off. Anticipate that additional discounts are coming. Stay tuned. We will post here and on Instagram as we receive more details.
Saturday, October 28 through Tuesday, October 31
Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm, Mon 9am-7pm, Tues 9am-3pm
Metropolitan Pavilion: 123 West 18th Street, 5th Floor
Only Credit Cards Accepted
