STYLE/BEAUTY

When walking into Be&D’s sample sale the first impression is that of utter chaos. The sample sale room is small and every surface seems to be covered with bags and shoes. There’s clearly no problem with selection. The question is: are the prices worth going?

We’d argue that, for the bags at least, they are not. Though there’s a small $20 table with a few wallets and a change purse near the door, most prices start at $150. That price will get you an envelope-sized bag emblazoned with so many grommets that it becomes, frankly, tacky. The more expensive bags fare a bit better: the slouchy Teague bag has chains wrapped into the leather handle: it’s gorgeous, comes in

gunmetal grey and taupe, and, at $525, over 50% off the original price of $998, but it’s still a hefty chunk of change. The fringe-decked Napolean is a cheaper buy at $375, but it’s not as much of a standout.

The shoe selection is cheaper than the bags, but not as broad. A red suede and patent leather pump is 40s pinup girl sexy and a steal at $45, but only comes in one size. Sizes are more varied on what might be

the best buy of the sale, a taupe bootie with studs covering the heel for just $75.

WHEN: 11/30 – 12/3, Tue-Th (9-7), F (9-5)
WHERE: 35 W. 36th St. (btwn. 5th & 6th Aves.). 10th Fl. West

Housing Works is having its annual Fashion for Action designer sale through the weekend, and it is worth it to run over to their Chelsea store packed almost exclusively with brand new designer merchandise for the ladies, men, and home!  I like a bargain, and nothing makes me feel better than saving money and supporting charity, simultaneously.  With so many designers donating to this great cause, there is bound to be something for everyone.  The selection they had was incredible, from Fallon studded bangles ($20) to Harajuku Lovers perfume ($30), Brooks Brothers long white gloves, Calypso shirts ($35), Seven for Mankind jeans, Stoll sweaters, Juicy Couture purses, DVF and Marc Jacobs sandals, and an Oscar de la Renta vintage coat (500). I even saw my ideal couch for $1250!
Everyone was impressed at the scope, scale and quality of the selection (and they will be restocking much of the merchandise).  I thought the jewelry was especially noteworthy.  They have been saving some of their best vintage pieces for this sale.  I found so many items I wanted.  If you shop their online auctions, here you will find items that are just as great, for the starting price.  A great cause, well organized, many sizes, dressing rooms, and selection unlike any you will find at a sample sale! I cannot recommend this sale enough.  If you are thinking about shopping this weekend, or buying anyone a present this year, you should come to the 17th Street Housing Works.

The current Yigal Azrouel sample sale brings to mind a favorite line from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. No, not “Bueller…Bueller…Bueller” (though we must admit that “Azrouel….Azrouel…Azrouel” has a certain ring to it).

We’re thinking instead of Ferris’ deadpan review of driving a Ferrari: “if you have the means, I highly recommend it.” If you have $120 to spend on a deconstructed wool tank top, we strongly recommend stopping by.

The Yigal Azrouel woman is sexy, but a little tough. Sure, she wears a killer purple nylon Grecian-draped maxi-dress, but she adds some interest with an unembellished elastic panel on the back. Yeah, she’ll rock a pair of perfectly cut skinny jeans, but she’ll combine it with an grey leather belt so wide it could double as a corset. The pieces here aren’t cheap, but they manage to be both of-the-moment and almost classic. A Navajo-inspired jacket in shades of grey (grey and purple are the predominant color stories here) is a solid investment at $565.

In addition to Yigal Azrouel, the sale carries a small selection from the designer’s less expensive Cut25 line, but unfortunately, the cheaper pieces are less satisfying. A pilled cotton charcoal top with leather snap-embellished sleeves to the elbow is effortlessly cool, but why is there a pocket directly under the breast? Not even the 80s-tastic Ferris Bueller could make sense of that one.

By Leila Cohan Miccio

It’s almost December, which means we’re on the brink of a month of holiday parties and New Year’s Eve bashes, followed by resort getaways for those lucky enough to escape the cold — in other words, a whole slew of occasions for wearing glamorous accessories. With that in mind, the Kara Ross sample sale comes at a great time for fans of the jewelry and handbag brand looking for the perfect clutch, or a festive cocktail ring.

The sale is small, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in quality (no messy bins of hopelessly three-seasons-ago bags here), with the bulk of the selection coming from the line’s signature snakeskin handbags. The prices are still high, but all things being relative, these are actually fairly deep discounts: creamy structured leather-and-snakeskin hobos come in at $700, instead of $1,180. A lustrous bronze python envelope clutch, adorned with gold hardware and a semi-precious stone, can be yours for $400, down from $795. In fact, most of the selection falls into the evening bag category, with dozens of subtly metallic clutches (perfect for that tube of lipstick and your cell phone!)  falling in the $300-$700 range.

The wall devoted to jewelry is a glittering spread of rings, bracelets, and a few necklaces in gold and rich, bright blues, corals, and greens. Basically, a Palm Beach socialite’s dream. Some of the big, flamboyant cocktail rings ($60-$175) are just-this-side of tasteful, but a hexagonal gold ring, with a deep blue and green cabochon in the middle ($75) and a chunky seashell-pink enamel and rhinestone ring ($60) both manage to be flashy, not tacky. The bracelets ($75-$200) are mostly gold and reptile-skin, and look at once tough and luxe, particularly a large cuff, covered with midnight-blue leather, and a undulating gold bangle dotted with onyx beads ($125). Neither the bags, nor the jewelry at Kara Ross are for wallflowers, but if your wardrobe wishlist includes bold, showy accessories, then this might be the sale for you.