Dear Rebecca Minkoff Sale...It's not me, it's you

The eagerly anticipated Rebecca Minkoff sale is finally here! We checked it out this week, braving about a half hour on line in the hopes of some shoulder swag (i.e. purses). As usual, there was a LOT of merch to choose from, and the prices were lower than we remember them being in previous years. Unfortunately, though, we just didn't love the selection. On the other hand, if you need a mini mac, this is definitely the place to get it. As for the rest of the selection, though, we were a little disappointed. There were a lot of nylon and straw options, and a table full of samples. Missing from this sale were the gobs of MABs that customarily are present. Could it be that our love affair with Minkoff is ending??? Say it isn't so!

Also, there were clothes and shoes at the back of the room, all at reasonable prices. However, we didn't love any of the clothes. And, let's face it - we were there for the bags!

The sale runs through 8pm tonight and 3pm tomorrow at 260 Fifth Ave. Last chance to grab your mini macs!

Basically masculine at the James Perse Sample Sale

 

The scene outside, around 2 p.m. on Tuesday

 

 

 

Some of the men's merch

 

Men's hoodie and lovely strawberry

shortcake colored women's tee

 

After impatiently waiting on line for about 30 minutes yesterday, we happily (as you see above) scored some great bargainst at the James Perse Sample Sale. The scene was crowded but not crazy, which was good since it was necessary to pick through each rack in search of misplaced items. Basic tees were marked at $20. The men's selection boasted a greater variety than the women's. Men had their pick of short sleeved tees in limited colors, long sleeved tees and heavier long sleeved shirts in a variety of colors, and comfy zip up hoodies.

 

For women, almost all of the basic tees had already been snatched up - the options that remained were mostly sample dresses, pastel tanks (a cool $15 each). There were also a wide selection of cropped cargo pants by Perse's Yosemite brand.

 

The bottom line: if you are looking for good deal on basic men's tops, it's worth the wait. Otherwise, you might want to save your $$ for one of the many upcoming spring sample sales! On the other hand, word is that they will be restocking, so maybe your luck will be better than ours!

 

The deets: 260 Fifth Avenue, through 4/21. W-F, 10am-7pm. Sat, 11am - 7pm. Sun, 11am-5pm.

 

Note: keep in mind that the brand sizing runs from 1-5, with 2 equating to abuot a medium.



We Wish You a Merry Sample Sale

Our pre-New Year's Resolution is to start Christmas shopping before Christmas Eve! Luckily, this week is jampacked with sample sale-ing opportunity...here's our shopping schedule:

12/3 - Candela at 584 Broadway (through 12/14)
12/4 - Current/Elliott, Joie, Equipment at 260 Fifth Ave (through 12/8)
       - Splendid/Ella Moss at 260 West 39th St (through 12/5)
12/5 - Olive and Bette at Third Ave between 71st and 72nd (one day only)
       - Shoshanna at 231 West 39th St. (through 12/6)
12/6 - Eberjey at 40 East 34th St (through 12/7)
12/7 - day of rest.

Basically, we should be ready for holiday weekend festivities fully bedecked in new apparel. Perhaps a Friday soiree in adress from Shoshanna and Eberjey lingerie and a Saturday jaunt in Current/Elliott jeans, Candela boots and a basic Splendid top. 

Oh...well, this is embarrassing...back to gifts.

Basically, we should be ready for holiday weekend festivities with the peace of mind that holiday shopping is nearly complete!  

And, because we know there is more to the season than gifts, we won't forget about our friends from the Salvation Army who are out in the cold this Christmas season looking for donations.

And to all a good week of sample sale battle...it's the most wonderful time of the year!

The Art of the Sample Sale...Ten Tips to Live by while Sample Sale-ing This Holiday Season

                                            

Pictured above: Rebecca Minkoff Affair bag - purchased after the

rare and wonderful convergence of the following principles.

1.       For those most coveted and rare items, be the first to arrive on the first  day. Wait on line. Bring a sleeping bag. Whatever it takes. Recommended for: Hermès sale.

2.       For well-stocked sales, on the other hand, prepare your strategy in advance (i.e. glean the layout of the room, merchandise available, and pricing from recaps online). Recommended for: Hanky Panky sale.

3.       Wear comfortable shoes – you never know whether you will have to climb three flights of stairs in a shady Lower East Side building (true story), dash across the room in a mad race to the last pair of Louboutins, or weather the elements in an unexpectedly long line. Recommended for: everywhere except the David Yurman sale.

4.       Prepare to strip without shame in order to try on clothes…in the aisles, along the walls, anywhere you can precariously balance your wares. Alternatively, wear leggings and a camisole over which you can pull on items. Recommended for: Foley & Corinna sale (should, if the heavens so ordain, they have another).

5.       If you like it…correction: if you think you might possibly ever maybe kind of like it –grab it. You can always discard something, but you can’t always find it. Recommended for: everywhere.

6.       Stalk others in order to snatch up their cast-offs if you must. Be persistently shadow-like while maintaining a semblance of dignity. Recommended for: Dolce Vita sale.

7.       Always ask about the man behind the curtain. No, the unlabeled box you spy is not simply the droopy makings of a future cardboard fort, but instead usually contains a treasure trove of extra merchandise. Recommended for: Andrew Marc sale.

8.       Know your brands. As with Fashion Week, the original and best concept of the sample sale is to sell one season ahead – beware and shun those crafty brands disposing of sometimes seasons-old material.  Recommend for: well, you know who you are.

9.       Try to refrain from physical violence. Recommended for: Barney’s Warehouse Sale.

10.   Bring a friend...but make it a good friend who, like a spouse, swears to stand by you for better or worse, for we all know the emotional rollercoaster involved. Recommended for: everywhere.

Post-sale protocol: When gifting items purchased at sample sales to others, do not…DO NOT…announce its origin. Rather, bask in the ever-so-chic glow behind your Tom Fords.

Follow these rules and you will achieve our gift to you – it is that zen-like quality, that Nirvana, that sudden clarity, that secretly gloating grin – it is…the Shopper’s High.