Cheap Broadway – Three End of the Week Sample Sales Downtown

It has been a busy week for sample sale shoppers – whether you are an avid lover of the annual madness or not, there has been a sale or two for all tastes, shapes, and crowd tolerance levels. Today, waifish hipsters and cool, spectacle clad artists alike, marched Broadway for cheap denim and chunky cardigans. Tousled hair blew with the cold wind in TriBeCa where just under a hundred people waited patiently to browse the racks of the Steven Alan Sample Sale, located in the designer’s showroom on Franklin Street, a block from his store.

No. 6 Double Kiltie Clog in Navy with Black Tassels ($158 – pictured) announced their presence after checking my coat, screaming, “Buy me!” while radiating under a display light. Various colors, sizes, and styles were available in similar designs, all for the same, reasonable price and all a perfect pair with patterned tights on Thanksgiving Day.

The small section of women’s clothing at the Steven Alan Sample Sale stayed true to the word “showroom” as women de-garbed left and right (sans mirrors), trying on popular items such as the Oversized Cream Cashmere Cardigan by DemyLee ($250), Anouk Poncho Vest w/ Hood in Charcoal ($160), Spring Clifton Rust Grey Sweater Dress ($75), and a vibrant blue Lewis Cho Sweater ($89) that was being dug up in boxes full of stray clothing. A hired crew of males seemed taken aback by all the disrobing, being constantly guided by female employees of Steven Alan to properly hang the unwanted clothing within their designated rack. Although everything remained in a comfortable price range, the best bet for your money is the absolutely stunning Black Silk with Ivory Lace Combo Dress by SEA for $100 (pictured). Collected on the exposed brick walls were various purses and handbags by brands such as Jamin Puech ($65) and Steven Alan’s popular Oliveve Slouch Bag ($125 – pictured).

Several blocks down Broadway inside The News Showroom Sample Sale in SoHo, a comfortable sized crowd browsed through a huge selection of Cheap Monday Jeans costing as little as $5, and as much as $30 with sizes ranging from 24-33. Men sorted through the women’s selection of denim right along with them, stockpiling on Grey Blue Skinnies ($10), Black and White Corduroy Skinnies ($5), and even rare finds like Pink Hot Pants and Yellow Stained Blue Jeans ($30). The $5 piles for obvious reasons attracted the most attention, mainly featuring 28W and 34L size, with an insane variety of colors to choose from. I must warn you though, I tried on a few pairs myself from said table, and while yanking them up my thigh the belt loops tore with extreme ease on two separate pairs. I should also mention that this is a co-ed fitting room. Awkward.

Aside from Cheap Monday, The News Showroom Sample Sale also offers a selection of the sturdy and attractive R13 Denim, such as their classics: “Skinny” ($120), “Zip Skinny” ($75) and “Cord Skinny” ($120) in brown.  Tee Shirts, Tank Tops ($15), Sweatshirts, and Hoodies ($30) by Creative Growth for Everybody, as seen in Anthropology for $150+, were available with funny graphics reading such sayings as “The Imposter Chicken Cooked the Egg.” These funky threads, with artistic drawings, are super soft and their sweatshirts offer a flattering cut, while maintaining their coziness. Clu was also on hand with their soft colors and pajama like thinness, in designs such as the Double Pocket Tee ($40) and a Caramel Zip Sample w/ Silk Ruffles ($60). Although the shoes were mainly only available in sample sale sizes (on average a 7-7.5), the Anniel Derby Flats were to die for. In blue, black, brown, and tan, these thin, buttery leather shoes with rubber soles come in an above the ankle cut, as well as a bellow the ankle cut for $40. These are the times I truly wish I didn’t wear such a large size.

My big feet then took me next door to the Loeffler Randall Sample Sale, where women furiously tried on pairs of previous seasons’ samples of the popular brand’s boots and heels. The bottoms of the shoes were scuffed up, as were some of the sides, despite being neatly hung in clear plastic bags throughout the showroom. With not a wide selection to speak of at the Loeffler Randall Sample Sale, a few standouts included a Size 5 Pair of Zuri Rose Gold Heels ($200), Size 8 pair of Ginevra Tobacco Heels ($225), Kasia Booties in a size 6 ($300), Liliane Deserto, also in a Size 6, ($300) and the Size 9 Vivrans in Nude ($200). 

Although not great weather today, the sales seem to be worth the painless cross over of Canal from TriBeCa to SoHo. All three sample sales continue through this weekend, where the weather promises to be dry – so bundle up and get a nice walk in while shopping to your heart’s content!

Steven Alan Sample Sale

WHEN: 11/17 – 11/20; Th-F (8:30-8), Sat (11-7), Sun (11-5)

WHERE: 87 Franklin St.
(between Broadway & Church St.)

The News Showroom Sample Sale

WHEN: 11/17 – 11/19; Th-Sat (10-6)

WHERE: 495 Broadway, 5th floor
at corner of Broadway and Broome St
(212-925-9700)

Loeffler Randall Sample Sale

WHEN: 11/17 – 11/19; Th-F (10-7), Sat (10-5)

WHERE: Loeffler Randall Showroom
525 Broadway, 4th Floor
(between Broome & Spring St.)

By Caitlin Colford

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Posted by Bindra at 10:19 PM
bargain news , SALES , Sample Sale Reviews |