Features

Dolce and Gabbana fashion. In Line, On line, waiting for fashion on line. For 1 hour in the cold. The line outside the Metropolitan Pavilion was at best, one to two hours long all day long for the opening day of the Dolce and Gabbana Sample Sale at the Metropolitan Pavilion’s 4th floor showroom. David Yurman Sample Sale is a few stores down. Escada is on 19th, at the sister Metropolitan Pavilion, but not the same building, no, it is one building north. Passerbys kept asking about these sales. Everyone was excited to get in. When we finally got in, rode the elevator up to the 4th floor, and checked in our belongings, I found the place was well lit, roomy, no lines at the register and not at all crowded.

Did it deliver? No. The price was high, and not clearly labeled on the merchandise. All items at the Sample Sale had a tag/barcode with the year of item. The price list was based on year of item. So, all 2011 was 50% off, 2010 60% off, 2009 70% off, and 2008 and below was 80% off. Most items were 2009 and 2010. The big catch is…There is not that much stuff there, people! Half the stuff there is for men. There were less than 8 rows of woman’s clothing.

There is, however, a great assortment of clothing, dresses, suits, skirts, pants, shoes, belts, jewelry, purses, key-chains, and evening wear. It had the most equitable distribution of fashion and clothing category I have ever seen. Just a little bit of everything. There were more shoes and boots and belts and purses and fashion jewelry than what you usually see at a sample sale, but a bargain? Bargain Jenny wouldn’t say so. I can get 60% off at sales in stores. I don’t have to wait an hour, check in my bags/coats, go in with only my wallet and phone, and I can return the clothing if I change my mind.

Not everything was in mint condition. A few of the shoes had pretty worn soles. A few bags had torn handles. No, they were not marked down.

The balance is: Dolce and Gabbana has so many beautiful things. It is a great clothing line. Oh, their fashion shows! If you are looking for hot deals or the best deals, here you will not find those. You will find some select beautiful pieces, standard overstock and a variety of other items carefully placed at reduced, sale prices. Remember, they are D&G items, so they are lovely. Is it worth it to wait in a line that I predict will only grow? Yes, if you are a family visiting from Europe, this sale is for you. If you are head of a family from the Tri-State area, and you are hitting the Escada sale too, and want to buy some stuff for your son and husband, this sale is for you!

If you are a bargain shopper living in NYC, skip this sale. Spend your time at Philip Lim, where proceeds benefit Japan. When interviewed in the NY Times Magazine Lim shined and I recall his quote, “Some days peanuts, other days shells.” This D&G sale is a shell. Dolce and Gabbana, itself, however, is a peanut. Peanuts, shells, clothing, deals, fashion trends, fashion blogs… useful, happy, and good in right time and place. They will not be restocking. What they have out is what they have. They may reduce prices, however. Judging from the lines at the registers, and the bags people were carrying out, I think they will. But if you are a family, GO there now!

3/24 – 3/27, Th (9-7), F-Sat (9-6), Sun (9-1)

WHERE: Metropolitan Pavilion,
123 W. 18th St. 4th Floor (between. 6th & 7th Ave.)

Bargain Jenny 

Need to bolster your formal wardrobe? Have a ton of weddings to attend this summer? Skinny? If you nodded in agreement at those three questions, get to the Heidi Weisel sample sale ASAP. Weisel’s current sale offers a plethora of classic clothing at prices that, if not quite rock bottom, still offer plenty of bargains.

This is a true sample sale, which means the range of sizes are limited. Though nothing’s marked with sizes (also: no dressing rooms, so get ready to lose your modesty), most things seemed to be in the 2-6 range. The cuts are also most flattering on a smaller frame. Though a pair of high-cut white pants was super sexy, it’s hard to imagine it looking good on any but the most sylphlike. The same goes for a beautiful nude colored lace and sequin strapless dress: the color and diaphanous fabric are striking, but the square neckline makes this gown suitable only for the small-busted.

Other items are more forgiving: a black shrunken cashmere sweater is very Peggy from Mad Men meets Alicia Silverstone in Clueless – not too shabby for $65. A sweet yellow lace sundress ($60) would be perfect for day dates, if spring ever decides to come back. A super-lightweight beaded gown in ballerina pink ($350) would be wonderfully unexpected and fun for a black-tie affair, as would a retro cool dress of a plum cashmere tee attached to a full plum and charcoal taffeta skirt ($250).

The prices here aren’t insubstantial, but the pieces are classic: witness a camel cashmere maxi tank dress. Sure, $300 isn’t cheap, but this is a piece that will never go out of style. The same goes double for a rack of little black dresses. A sleek crepe number with short black lace sleeves and a high neck is a good investment at $350, as is a perfectly-cut crepe v-neck with satin panels – one of the few items here that would look great on a curvy frame.

19 blocks north, the Hermes sample sale also starts today. Madison Avenue Spy reports that “this was the most disappointing Hermes sample sale yet,” blaming high prices (a mini mini Garden Party canvas tote will run you at least $800) and a disappointing shoe selection. Racked also reports that the line is at least two hours long. We suggest skipping it.

WHEN: 3/22 – 3/26, Tue-Sat (11-6).

WHERE: 420 W. 14th St, Suite 4SE
(Btwn Ninth Ave and Washington St)Leila Cohan-Miccio 

The Hermes sample sale is the most anticipated fashion even of the year. Every year Upper East Siders and Downtown Divas alike, stand on the record breaking lines to get deep discounts on the pinnacle of fashion brands, Hermes. So what should you know before you stand on THAT line (usually for up to four hours)? Read on!

There will never be a Kelly or Birkin On Sale
Sorry fashionistas, hate to break it to you but you will never find Hermes’ most recognized bags, The Kelly and The Birkin on sale at the Hermes sample sales. They are are by far the most iconic bags a woman can own and with a waiting list thicker than a phone book, these bags are unfortunately will never be on sale.

What kind of Hermes bags will be there?
Expect to find Hermes bags that are not coveted or iconic on sale. These bags include tote bags, travel accessories and Hermes’ version of the “eco” carryall. DO expect to spend a few hundred dollars for preppy canvas bags that you probably wouldn’t want if it did not have a Hermes label. Most shoppers are disappointed with the bags selection which are only usually up to 30% off retail price.

Nothing like a Hermes Scarf
If the handbag selection is weak, then the scarf collection is spectacular. You will find a wide range of fabulous Hermes scarves at the sample sale but beware, they go fast! French women are the masters of spicing up an ordinary outfit with a scarf and they are a great way to brighten up your whole wardrobe.

Ready To Wear
Hermes is very equestrian inspired line with a great deal of international influences. If you like this style then you will be happy to know that there is plenty of RTW to go around at Hermes sample sales! Do note that most of the clothing will be sample sizes and on the smaller side. The clothes are known to be a few seasons old.

Stock up on ties
Hermes ties are classic and will make a great gift for all the men in your life. Whether it be your husband or your co-worker a Hermes tie is a very chic way to show your appreciation. Luckily the Hermes sample sale is known to have a wide selection of fabulous ties in unique prints from paisley prints to graphics. The ties are usually 50-70% off making them an affordable luxury. Stock up on a few and wrap them away them for special occasions and holidays.

Accessories Our Guilty Pleasure
You can never have too many accessories and quite frankly accessories are your best bet at Hermes sample sales From small leather goods and costume jewelry to random umbrellas and key chains, small accessories are a great way to indulge yourself to one of the hottest designers in the world without breaking the bank. Stock up on odds and ends with the chic Hermes logo and add a little dash of designer to your daily life. Most of the jewelry is marked down considerably from 60-80% off retail!

The last Hermes sample sale took place in February at Soiffer Haskin. When we contacted the PR company to see when the next preview would be but a rep stated that they have discontinued the infamous sale. If that’s the case you won’t be missing much, so start saving now for that Birkin you’ve always wanted.

WHEN: 3/23 – 3/27, W (9-6), Th (9-8), F-Sat (9-6), Sun (1-5)

WHERE: Soiffer Haskin. 317 West 33rd Street (West of 8th Ave)
(718-747-1656)
Millissa Mathai 

New York Magazine released its annual Best of New York list yesterday. While, as always, the list’s breadth is astounding (Best Funky Jewelry! Best Candles That Won’t Make You Woozy! Best New Beatrice!), we couldn’t help but be struck by the, well, Middle American nature of many of the categories.

Look no further than the food section: bacon and eggs, sticky buns, caesar salads, grilled cheese sandwiches, doughnuts, and meatballs are all present and accounted for. Don’t get us wrong – Co’s meatballs are to die for and there’s never anything wrong with sticky buns, but we could order more-than-credible versions of these dishes in Milwaukee. Shouldn’t we, as New Yorkers, be focused on the more unusual things in life? The same goes for the shopping section. Really, national chain Paper Source as best paperie? What about the excellent and independent Papel just a few blocks away?

It was the same thing last year, when hot dogs and chocolate chip cookies were fetishized. Again, great foods, but in the most exciting city in the country, is that really where our interests should lie? Ever since the economic collapse, New York has been obsessed with a return to comfort, as if eating more pot pies and bacon will bring us back to a simpler, less uncertain time. We like a burger and fries as much as the next girl (probably more, actually), but, as a city, maybe we should all resolve to get a little more adventurous. It’s New York, after all.