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.

Elie Tahari Sample Sale Starts Oct. 19

And this Guerilla Shopper will tragically not be able to make it!  I bought some of my favorite sample sale items at this one a couple of years ago.  Weep.

70% Off Elie Tahari

Oct 19-24
510 5th Ave
212-398-2622

THE FASHION CENTER SIDEWALK CATWALK

THE FASHION CENTER SIDEWALK CATWALK PRESENTED BY LF USA is a one-of-a-kind public art exhibit, featuring New York City’s top fashion designers and free to the public all summer long in the heart of New York City’s Fashion District.

Patriotic fashionistas celebrate the 4th of July strutting down Broadway posing next to patriotic designs displayed runway-style on custom built mannequins. 32 designers are participating, including Nanette Lepore, Carlos Falchi, Catherine Malandrino, Elie Tahari, Rebecca Taylor and Diane von Furstenberg,

That being said, the mannequins' flashy leggings, custom armor-like metal patterns, and the fresh flowers festooning Betsy Johnson's very sparse ensemble are guarded - so don't pick the daisies!

And Tommy Hilfiger designed the pictured flag outfit (why is the woman's face totally obscured - are all women faceless?)

For more info http://www.sidewalk-catwalk.com/

~Nancy Brenner reporting, GSNYC editing...

Report from the Front: Fashion Night Out

Thanks to Nancy Brenner for reporting on the new national holiday (while I was home sick last night!):

Major missed opportunity for men - bevy of fashion forward women who dressed like they were going to sashay down the red carpet at the Emmy's next week. Platform heels, ankle booties, mini dresses and toned thighs abounded - and that wasn't even the celebs. Started at Saks expecting scores of major makeup freebies as widely promoted. Not so much. I went to numerous counters and I'm too much of a lady to name names, but the consensus was sample only with purchase. Estee Lauder did it right - offered nice samples of Private Collection Jasmine White Moss - and you didn't have to go to the counter to beg for it. Blowout from Frederic Fekkai - only one person doing blowouts - until 7 - for thousands of women on the main floor. On the plus side, I got to meet Teri Jon designer Rickie Freeman who was very gracious and thanked me for coming over. I was two steps away from Elie Tahari who was posing for pics with customers. Spotted David Yurman. And met new to Saks, designer Yoana Baraschi who assured me that her stunning black and red knit color block number featured in the catalogue would fit me - and she was right. She even told me the secret to her rockin legs - Pilates. Wish there was a Nielsen's overnight ratings for sales - just curious how many credit card swipes aside from the makeup counters which were jam packed when I left.

Next stop Prada. Grace Coddington striking flaming red hair and all signing stacks of Vogue - standing with September little red riding hood model Sasha - looking teensy, but gorgeous next to her. I asked about the free t-shirts for Fashion Night Out they were supposedly giving out - but again, this was a gift with purchase.

The big B - Bergdorf's was bustling. Headed straight up the escalator determined to meet the Olsen twins at 7 p.m. Escalators were packed and they stopped letting people on to the 7th floor where the Olsens were supposed to be tending bar. Lots of smells mixed in - free chocolate and nut bits, flowing wine and strangely sausages. Seventh floor was packed worse than the A train at rush hour, but Olsens were nowhere in sight at the appointed hour and many of the hoards simply left in search of water. Ground floor packed with paparazzi snapping pics of celebs. Lots of people buying "Fashion's Night Out" tees. Disappointed hot Olsen fans just left. Major line of fashionistas waiting to get into the store. BG - A+ for coolest crowd, food and liquor freebies, empty makeup counters - if you really wanted a makeup makeover, this was your opportunity.

Final stop - Stacy London of "What Not to Wear" fame - pumped up arms, black peep toe ankle boots. Was standing right next to her at Ann Taylor when she picked out a soul in the crowd who needed a little bit of London tough love. Have to admit, it's one thing when you're fashion quarterbacking from your couch, and another when you are just an eyeball away from her as she's deciding who needs a new bra. London's dad was there - I asked him when she started her shopping sprees - he said she as always a big shopper. London offered to help everyone in the dressing room - the ultimate personal shopper.

Fashion Night Out - Where else can you mix with designers, celebs, models and real people? "What's Not to Like" Just paying retail...

March 31 - April 4: Elie Tahari Womens & Mens Sample Sale

This is one of the good sample sales - and unfortunately wildly popular - in midtown:

Elie Tahari Women's & Men's Sample Sale
March 31 - April 4
T-F 8:30-7:30 Sat 10-5
510 Fifth Avenue (42-43 Streets) Ground Floor, Entrance on 43 Street
212.398.2622
http://www.elietahari.com/

Savings up to 85 percent off original prices.

• Handbags originally $498-$995 now on sale for $79-$249.
• Shoes originally $228-$525 now $69-$79.
• Women's full length Shearling coats originally $2,498 now $499.
• Dresses originally $398 now $79.

And for men:
• Leather jackets, originally $998 now $199.
• Luxury shearling outerwear originally $1,998 now $199.
• Shirts originally $198-$228 are now $49.

Cash, Mastercard, Visa and American Express accepted. All sales final.

Gift Cards and Returns and Cash...Oh My!

I asked for a red scarf for Christmas. And I got it. And then when I brought it home I thought, "why did I ask for this?" So I returned it (sorry mom) - but I got something so much better! A gold (OK, not real gold) Skagen watch. I can't get enough of these Skagen watches, I have four! Then I also had a gift card from Bloomingdale's, so I went there and bought some Laura Mercier makeup...and then with the remainder put a small dent in a Elie Tahari coat that I couldn't say no to. It is so great - the style I have been seeking, 30% off, and...IT FITS! Then I headed to the Apple store where I bought a new iPod (an 8GB Nano) that I love - they have made some vast improvements over the one I bought about a year and a half ago. And since I gave them my old one back for "recycling," I got 10% off. THEN I went to Sephora because I had another gift card (thanks mom) and I bought a bunch of other fun makeup odds and ends from Make Up For Ever, Smashbox and Stila. I swear that store is a candy store for women.

Gilt-y Pleasure.com...

Have you heard of Gilt.com yet? I just did. Here's the deal:

Gilt Groupe is a private online community, which is dedicated to providing its members with access to coveted fashion and luxury lifestyle brands at sample sale prices. You must be invited by an existing member to join, and there is no cost to join Gilt Groupe. For additional information or questions about our membership policies, please send us an email at membership@gilt.com.

Here's the current sale info:

Tuesday, 07.01 - Jill Stuart (pictured) + Elie Tahari

Wednesday, 07.02 - Final Sale day 1

Thursday, 07.03 - Final Sale day 2

Tahari & Calypso Spring Sample Sales

Elie Tahari - Spring Sample & Stock Up To 80% Off
510 5th Ave. @43rd St.
Tuesday, April 1 - Saturday, April 5
(Tue - Fri 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Sat - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Handbags now $289-$349, orig. $595-$995
Shoes now $99-$139, orig. $195-$395
Women's leather jackets now $349, orig. $998
Dresses now $159, orig. $598
Men's leather jackets now $399, orig. $998
Men's shirts now $69, orig. $198

CALYPSO Christiane Celle
Up to 75% off; most pieces under $100
261 W 36th St. between Seventh and Eighth Aves, second floor (212-947-8748)
Wednesday, April 2nd through Sunday, April 6th
(Wed, Thu 10am—7pm; Fri 10am—6pm; Sat, Sun 11am—5pm)

Sample Sale: Chaiken, Oct. 23-26

The time for sample sales is certainly upon us. I haven't checked this one out yet, but while standing on line for the Elie Tahari sample sale yesterday a woman urged me to check out the Chaiken sale as well.

261 W. 36th St. near Seventh Ave. 2nd Fl.
They take credit cards.

Elie Tahari SAMPLE SALE: Oct. 23 - 27

Git over there now! NOW. The Elie Tahari sample sale is taking place now at 510 Fifth Ave. @ 43rd St. (entrance on south side of 43rd St.). They take credit cards!

There is a long line of mostly women waiting on the sidewalk. This is seemingly annoying at first, until you finally get to enter the sale and realize it's probably a good idea - minimizing the number of people inside makes for a much better sample sale shopping experience. However, you have to hand over everything upon entry and you will also end up waiting on line to get in the dressing room for about 10-15 minutes.

BUT IT IS WORTH IT.

I just spent $766 on pants, coat, jackets (2), top, skirt. Not a small sum, but would have cost me at least double (nay triple!) that at retail. And as a result, I would have bought nothing.

I find that Elie Tahari's sizing isn't exactly made for a guerilla like me - I need bigger tops (size 12) and smaller bottoms (size 8) than my usual - and they still tend to run a little too small on top and big on bottom. This is sort of the story of my sizing life. Bottom line is sample sales - shoot any sale - damn ANY SHOPPING - is usually best for those of you in the skinny size 6 or smaller realm. Of course you will never look as Marilyn-Jane-Pamela hot as I do. So there.

I will try to get some pics of my finds to post soon. I may even go back again later!