Oct 4&5: Luca Luca Sample Sale Sneak Peek

Start your engines!  Knits ($75 dollar items, and a selection of XL) in current colors like cobalt; shoes for $40; belts that could inject life into a previous season wardrobe on deep discount at the Luca Luca sample sale starting tomorrow at 9:00 am.  If you weren't at Fashion Week, you missed one of the prettiest collections.  Dress like an A-lister with one-of-a-kind leather and suede samples, or for the ticklish -- or those who like to tickle -- find a feathered piece. 
19 West 36th Street Tuesday and Wednesday.

/nanSEE brenner

Hot Nautica Models from Fashion's Night Out

Sorry it took me to long to post these shots courtesy of Nancy Brenner...but the wait was worth it, see?

Tory Burch Greeted Revelers at Fashion's Night Out

The MePa district was mobbed with freebie hunting fashionistas following fellow goodie bag holders. Lucky Loubutin boutique fans scored free Frederic Fekkai updos or Lady Gaga like lashes. Tory Burch was game for greeting guests at her boutique. Were budgets blown in the carnival-like atmosphere in the Meat Packing District while the stock market was gyrating?

/nancy brenner

Pre NYFW Frenzy at Showroom Seven Sample Sale

This sample sale is usually my go-to for special event costume jewelry.  Several clothing lines they rep will rule at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week including Odd Molly.  Seek out this sale for the scene alone -- pre-runway is in the air with models in for fittings, consider it a backstage pass to pre-Fashion Week prep usually reserved for insiders.  Killer cocktail dress or red feather breast plate.  anyone?

Showroom Seven
263 Seventh Avenue, 3rd floor

/nancy brenner

Tam fan I am - Sample sale

Downgrade Doldrums? Vivienne Tam sample sale is like buying an under-priced equity. Thirty dollar samples offer best value at fire sale prices that will yield divine dividends in term of compliments.  Tam's selections are current and vintage, both are timeless. Petite have most picks, but many larger sizes available too. If there were a Zagat rating for sample sale staff and clothing quality, Vivienne Tam would score an A.

260 West 39th Street today (Weds.) 9a-8p, Thursday 10a-7p, Friday 10a-6p

/nancy brenner

Coviello Sale: 70 Orchard Street

Items start at $50 at this in-store sale, with a relatively small selection. Some are stained and hark back to previous seasons.  If you're in the area anyway, it's worth a peek, less so if your closet is already packed.  True finds are the plumage headbands at $56, which isn't even a markdown.

/nancy brenner

Proenza Packed sample sale line

If you are not already at 495 Broadway, it's unlikely it will be worthy of your Metrocard swipe or cab fare.  Friends and family who had a head start on Monday are back for more and shoppers were stocking up on dresses in the $400-$500 range, and bags were going, going.... and they were checking the list at the door, so no sneaking or peeking. There is always the Bloomingdale's across the street for the 100 or so fans on the queue to get in. 

/nancy brenner

Shooting for suede? Leather lovers lap up samples

If you can perish thoughts of humidity, and imagine a sweat-free future, swing over to In Suede for suede samples ($25-35) or perhaps a leather trench for fall or white lambskin leather jacket for air-conditioned environs. Today through the 29th. 10a-6p.

The Botkier store is running yet another bags-in-bin sample sale, this time with more hot house hues. Beware scratches on bags, particularly brights - priced particularly well as compared to their online offerings.

/nancy brenner

Botkier Bargain Bin: Report From the Front

Summer can be full of unexpected surprises like a quiet sample sale bin with buttery lambskin leathers primarily priced at $75 and $100 at Botkier's store at 246 Mott Street. Fans should head to Noho tomorrow at 11 am before handbag fanatics pillage the pickings.
 
/nancy brenner

Made in New York: Anni Kuan Preview

Shop and help save the Garment District by shopping at this carefully curated collection of brights and neutrals with prices starting as low as $30 for jersey. Seeking solutions for humid nights of Shakespeare in the Park, a hot hike to the subway or climate challenged cab rides? Look for light linens and silks in perfect proportions for petites.
262 W. 38th Street #703. Cash only. Today and tomorrow.
http://www.annikuan.com/

/nancy brenner

Thundercla​p Worthy: Only Hearts Preview

Five and ten dollar bins for lingerie will lure shoppers despite downpours and armagedon-like weather warnings.  Vintage dresses, layering camis and a selection of shoes will be available at the Only Hearts sample sale at the 230 Mott Street store starting at noon this Thursday (like, as in tomorrow).

/nancy brenner

Big Bang for Buck at Ben-Amun: Report From the Front

A plethora of bangles, earrings and more high-fashion accessories (many at $5) await smart shoppers who are adding to their accessories wardrobe at the Ben-Amun sample sale. In a week packed with sales, some may dither as to how to invest their time and spend their savings - Ben-Amun is a must stop on the sample sale circuit. Tips: Decide if you are seeking colors or neutrals. Are you shopping for work or weekend? Will the pieces compliment your existing wardrobe?
Ben-Amun
246 W. 38th Street 12A, noon-6
 
/nancy brenner

Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger is a Teri Jon Fan

And you will be too after meeting creative director Leora who will match you with a perfect party frock, or taffeta top.  Leora will practically be your personal fitter as she advises how to nip or tuck a pleat, raise a shoulder, or narrow the width of a garment. Samples are simply a steal at $65 for dresses, $60 for taffeta and $50 for jackets - I was lucky to nab a luxurious leather piece and a velvet burgundy blazer for Fall. Stalk the sample rack - more samples magically appear. Stock sizes also available from 2-14.
Teri Jon at 247 West 37th Street, 2nd Floor.  Sale runs 10a-5p, last day is Tuesday.

/nancy brenner

Kokin Sale: hat heaven at 247 west 38th street

Princess Beatrice take the red eye! - this sale ends Tuesday.  Ask Kokin about his hat stash in the back. Prices start at $25.

/nancy brenner

Colette malouff 15 leather cuffs

Hair accessories are everywhere - from last night's closing number on Glee to Tony nominated "Anything Goes."  Head thee to premiere Colette Malouf where every look from bridal to tribal is interpreted in luxe materials like fox (a hair clip in white that retails for $225, here $50), leather and silk.  A sample sale priced better than bargain bins at drug stores with the look of Henri Bendel. True sample prices $1 - $75.  Lots in the $5 and $15 categories including jeweled head straps, earrings, silk pins, leather adorned bobby pins (you'll have to see them for yourself) and hair clips - ask Colette to show you how to style your hair in a French twist, chignon or any manner and she will show you tricks your hairdresser never will.  Your biggest dilemma will be deciding what not to buy - from selection which is so expansive it will require reviewing the room two or three times so you won't miss any treasures. 

594 Broadway (between E. Houston and Prince St.), suite 1216 - near Broadway Lafayette - today and tomorrow until 7p.

/nancy brenner

Tibi Twosome: Shop Sample Online Or In-Person

Imagine not dragging to the far west side for the Tibi sale. Or, being able to shop the online sample sale at tibi.com before the other one even opens? Out of towners, you don't have to worry about missing a sample sale, or scouring the sample sale aftermarket on eBay for rare Tibi finds.  Will other designers follow their lead?  The brick and mortar is at 348 West 36th St., ground floor, starting at noon today.  Thanks, Tibi. 

/nancy brenner

Preview from the front: Tracy Reese

Michelle Obama fans have the fashion find of the year at the Tracy Reese sample sale. So will followers of Billboard winner Taylor Swift, who was one of the first to wear the red polka dot frock. If you're an individualist, head to the sample sale racks (many size 4s) where you can curate a look from original samples in cool colors and combos that weren't produced en masse. Even with sample sale counts that seem higher than pollen, this will be packed with fashionistas.

264 West 40th 9-7:30 -- For anyone who likes to make an entrance and eschews basic black.

/nancy brenner

Snoozers Are Losers: Report From the Front Joseph Abboud

Where are all the men in NY? Well, on Sunday morning, the "I can handle a tech IPO and I've been up since 5 a.m." dressed-and-ready-for-anything crowd was at Joseph Abboud scouring for tailored blazers (even velvet) reduced from $745 to $174, or suits for $350. Chances are that if you're a size 36 or 38, or one of the larger sizes, you may have slimmer pickings by today.

Attentive staff, patient shoppers -- why can't women's sample sales be a little less bridesmaids' trip to Vegas? Head to 317 West 33rd St. for the sale, which runs through Thursday, when markdowns may ensue. However, if you are determined to add a new luxe tux or suit to your wardrobe, it's probably best not to wait. No shirts or accessories at this sale.

/nancy brenner

Report From the Front: Nanette Lepore: Must or Bust?

"This is expensive."  The refrain was uttered over and over again as shoppers sifted through the sample racks where prices ranged from $40 for a silk top to over $100 for a dress.  Mostly size twos.  And notable rejects from the last sample sale.  That being said, you never know when you'll discover that iconic Nanette Lepore embellished cardigan that will yield oodles of compliments (albeit at $65, rather than the $20 that the crowd has been conditioned to expect).  The lines were shorter to get in this year.  No mad crash at the elevator or line running up the stairs to the next floor.  Were the weather or not-so-super sample sale prices to blame, or the plethora of sample sales in general?  Dressing room had an imperceptible wait and no wait at checkout.  One woman even complained that this season's sale offered a poor selection compared to the Fall. Shoppers are definitely becoming more selective as prices rise. 
225 West 35th Street (between 7th and 8th Aves.)

/nancy brenner

Gourmet at gilt?

Check out the careers page where you'll find a plethora of postings for all types of job opportunities including one for an experiologist. What's the major for that?  And another opening for a gourmet food specialist - a new expansion line for Gilt given the glut of online discounters?

/nancy brenner