Paul Smith: Fashion Informant Edition

A close source snapped up a $1,900 suit for $350. It was a little "cuckoo," but worth it. Head downtown to 328 West Broadway ASAP. File away this intel that a cashier shared - there is a Paul Smith store in Williamsburg selling suits for 50% off retail that may be from a past season, but in a fashion pinch, dapper dudes can head to 280 Grand Street.

Thurs.-Sat. (11am-7pm)

382 W. Broadway (between Broome & Spring St.)

/nancy brenner

Report from the Front: Moschino, Alberta Ferretti

Die-hards should know better. Really. Checking your wallets at the coat check!?  People, you need lessons in protecting your assets. 

Mother-daughter duos abounded - one had to chasten her daughter that she was not going to buy her 20 Moschino tees - maybe only 10.  Another sign that the economy has rebounded - at least in some households - is that Aeffe did not need to offer an additional 20% discount off the lowest price as has been the custom at the last few sample sales.  Price for some of the goods, even Moschino Cheap and Chic, weren't all that cheap - I spotted and put down a sweater that was near the $400 range.  Some lines were only at 60% discount off of retail and buyers bragged of better bargains at Saks consolidation sales.  Check back on last day Saturday for mark downs.  The well-dressed crowd at 56th between Fifth and Sixth Avenues is polite and polished - check the racks for their leftovers. 

30 West 56th Street

/nancy brenner

May 5-8: Catherine Malandrino Sample Sale & Extra 10% Off!

WHAT: Sample Sale featuring CATHERINE MALANDRINO Spring/Summer styles and MALANDRINO Runway collection

WHERE: NEW LOCATION
155 Fifth Avenue
(21st - 22nd Sts)
Storefront

WHEN: May 5th – 8th
Thursday & Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 7pm

WHY:
Blouses – were $395… now $95
Skirts – were $275… now $65
Dresses – were $525… now $155
Leather jackets – were $1,200… now $295

BONUS DISCOUNTS!!!
To receive an additional 10% off RSVP to http://blog.catherinemalandrino.com/uncategorized/springsummer-2011-sample-sale/

All credit cards and cash accepted

White + Warren: Gilt City or Samples-Only Sale?

Blake Lively and Angelina Jolie are fans of White + Warren. This week, for $75 you can pay for the privilege of shopping their pop-up (remember when a sample was just a sample sale, so 2008) on Tuesday or Wednesday through Gilt City. Of course, $75 means you are getting $150 worth of merch (a la Groupon), and it's a great buy if you are a die-hard fan and know you want to walk away with something. If not, hold out until Thursday, April 28 when they will have (leftovers?) at their samples-only sale - the prices are usually pinch-me, "I can't believe cashmere is cheaper than H&M sweaters."
Either way, the address is 80 West 40th St., and if you're in the market, now is the time to buy before commodity prices creep even higher. Cash Only. Final Sale.

/nancy brenner

Top Shop: It's Gotta be the Shoes

Mission: Nothing's Impossible (in NYC).

These tremendously cool shoes that hearken back to the days of the dandy highwaymen, or at least Adam and the Ants interpretation of them, were up for grabs at New York City's modern day version of Fiorucci, otherwise known as TOP SHOP.  Yes, it's a g*ddamned zoo in there, but my savvy guerilla friend convinced the affable salespeople that these were on the 20% off sale rack (we aren't sure if they were or not) and she pointed out a "smudge" for which they deducted another 10%.  So what would have/should have cost $150, ended up running a cool $86 and change. 

Just don't, step on her blue suede shoes.

Man Up - Sample Sale Spruce Up

Paul & Shark, Hickey Freeman/Bobby Jones and Paul Smith are all hosting sample sales. Up your game, just in time for the new season of networking, socializing and wedding attendance (even if Kate Middleton didn't invite you).

Paul & Shark Sample Sale
April 27 – April 29
Weds. & Thurs. 10am-5pm; Fri. 10am-4pm
Limited attendance after 4:30pm on Wed & Thu
79 Madison Ave, Suite 1206 (at 28th St.)
Payment Type: Cash/VISA/MC -NO AMEX

Made in Italy. A blend of luxury, function and tech, Paul & Shark is a world-wide brand worn by men of taste and distinction everywhere. Their Spring 2011 sample sale will feature an assortment of: luxury men's light-weight outerwear, short-sleeved polos, jeans, trousers, swimwear, wool and cotton sweaters, 100% cotton woven shirts, and men's shoes. Samples are all size large, some select sizes will be available.

Hickey Freeman & Bobby Jones
May 1-5pm
Sun. 9am-6pm; Mon.-Weds. 9am-6:30pm
317 West 33rd St., btwn 8th-9th Aves., ground floor
718.747.1656

Wholesale prices & Below Wholesale Prices
Try-ons permitted
Men's Clothing & Accessories

Sample & stock sale. From Hickey-Freeman: A huge selection of classic and sophisticated suits, sport coats, top coats, trousers, dress shirts and ties. Also knit and woven shirts, sweaters, trousers and outerwear. Suits start at $499.99 (retail $1,395-$3,295), sport coats $299.99-$699.99 (retail $995-$2,495), dress trousers $139.99 ($225-$295), and dress shirts start at $69.99 (retail $150-$225). From Bobby Jones: Signature knit and woven sport shirts $59.99 (retail $150-$195), sweaters start at $59.99 (retail $175) and trousers $49.99-$149.99 (retail $135-$375). Assorted sizes from all seasons. All sales final. No exchanges or returns. Strollers not allowed. No children under 12 will be admitted. Credit cards only. No cash or checks accepted.

Paul Smith Sample Sale
Men’s clothing, shoes and accessories are up to 75% off at the Paul Smith sample sale
April 28-30
Thurs.-Sat. (11am-7pm)
382 W. Broadway (between Broome & Spring St.)
 
/nancy brenner

Spring in Chicago: Michelle Tan

Lessons learned from an ambitious haul to the consignment shop...

Lessons learned from an ambitious haul of 5F Bergdorf-worthy goodies -- Headed to Michael's Consignment at 1041 Madison Avenue, already anticipating my consignment shop checks to finance this year's spring wardrobe - disappointed. They are not accepting new merchandise with any wild abandon - to the contrary - their larders are rather full as everyone has the same idea. Call ahead before you drag your fineries to any consignment shop and ask if they are currently accepting. I crawled away with my entire possessions. A trip last month yielded sales - so March madness refers not only to basketball, but to the super ambitious closet cleaners who unloaded first. Kudos to MadisonAvenueSpy who listed the Upper East Side echelon of consignment shops today.


/nancy brenner

Starts Today (4/12): Elie Tahari Sample Sale

Up to 70% off Elie Tahari, women and men's clothing and accessories
510 5th Ave. @43rd St.
4/12-4/16: Tues.-Fri., 8:30a-7:30p, Sat., 10a-5p.

Weep: Personal Affairs in East Village Closing; Huge Sale

Bad: After 11 years, pa is leaving New York City for good.
Silver Lining: They are running a radical going-away SALE.

EVERYTHING MUST GO INCLUDING ALL NEWLY-ARRIVED NEW SPRING~SUMMER SEASON ITEMS.
Everything is at least 70% off. Spend $100.00 or more and get an additional 10% off.
They also have the following clearance items:
$10.00 cash (pants, tops)
$30.00 (coats, dress, tunics)

I got the pictured pieces for $135, total!  The long sleeved T-shirts are the coolest, btw.

Personal Affairs
102 E. 7th St.(A & 1st Ave.)
NY, NY 10009
1-212-420-7778

open Monday: late afternoon
(pls make appointment)
Tue-Friday: 2:00-9:00p.m.
Saturday: 1:00-9:00
Sunday: 1:00-8:00

http://www.pa212.com/
http://personalaffairs.de/index.php?en_company
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/both-in-New-York-NY/personal-affairs/48251061293?ref=ts

p.s. I just noticed today that Madewell is opening a second location in the city on Fifth Ave. around 19th St.

$45 Suede/Leather Sample Sale Rack

in SUEDE’S SPRING SAMPLE SALE – 3 DAYS ONLY!


WHEN: APRIL 27, 28 & 29; 10AM- 6PM
WHERE: 463 7th Avenue
Suite 1304 (13th floor)
Between 35/36th Sts. (convenient to all subways, exit 34th Street, N, R,Q,1,2,4,5, E, F)

CASH & CREDIT CARDS ONLY

LEATHER AND SUEDE JACKETS SAMPLES & SIZES AVAILABLE; CHECKOUT THE SAMPLE RACK $45.00.

/nancy brenner

Deep Thoughts...Sean John & Virgin Megastore

Just a couple of quick observations du jour:

The Sean John store on 5th Ave. across from the NY Public Library appears to be gone.  Frankly, the mannequins in the window were weird and I don't think I ever saw anyone go in or out of there.  I have some level of authority on this as I work on the same block.  My man Sean P Diddy Puffy Combs is a fine businessman and dresses well (my mother even said so), but this label/store never has really made sense to me.

The very young and departed Virgin Megastore in Union Square is now a Duane Reade and Citibank.  Whoa.  Next thing you're going to tell me is there's a TGI Friday's...wait WHAT?!  I think every area with a "Square" attached to it in NYC is doomed to go the way of corporate chain.  Let's just wait and see how that theory plays out in Washington Square Park.  Oh, wait, that's NYU's spot, the other corporate chain that owns all real estate in town.

Can we get a do-over?  I feel like a reset to 1980 is in order here. 

Shoshanna sample sale: Not standing on line yet?

Probably too late! Serious shoppers lined up 90 minutes before the 10 a.m. start time. One mother/daughter duo equipped with an empty cart anticipating a big haul. Entire new spring wardrobe or restocking an ebay boutique? If you are a fan of flirty girl wear, you should racewalk to 225 W. 39th street for $75 or under frocks and skip your kickboxing class.  Looks like it'll be a bumpy ride.

/nancy brenner

Lauren Moffatt Fall

Too cool for school is the vibe of Lauren Moffatt's Fall 2011 collection which previewed at the Coterie show. Her sweaters are made of high quality (can I feel that texture?) felted wool. The leather/wool knit skirt with a zipper down the front is a combo that will stand out from pure leather looks this Fall. The line is sold at laurenmoffatt.net and at speciality stores around the globe. Prices will range from $295 for the wool/leather combo to $272 for sweaters.

/nancy brenner

Earbuds & Apple

I went to the new Apple store in the Meatpacking last week, and while I've determined that I am truly not an earbud fan (Maybe my ears are malformed?  Maybe I am really Vulcan?  Whatever the issue, they never stay put), but I am a fan of the Apple store.  I am sure this has been written about several thousand times, but not only is Apple ahead of the curve on consumer tech goods and gadgets, they are also ahead on retail/POS.  A staff member rushed over to me, took my credit card on the spot, and emailed me my receipt.  I didn't need to wait on line, or deal with cash registers, or a paper receipt - a truly modern take on perhaps what every store should strive for.  On the spot help.  This could certainly help reduce defecting customers, or customers who come into your store, find a product, and then buy it from a competitor's website FROM INSIDE YOUR STORE like a retail horror film.
Don't give them a chance - give them stellar and immediate service!