Barneys Warehouse Sale

The Barney’s beloved Warehouse Sale opened to the public last Thursday, August 23^rd. Despite launching an online pre-sale in the beginning of August, which seems to be the latest trend amongst sample sales, the Barney’s Warehouse Sale in Chelsea drew its famous crowd of eager shoppers last week. During the sale’s Day Two on Friday, Racked reported that women’s clothing, namely of the contemporary nature, was nearly cleared out aside from the ripped and stained leftovers, in addition to a slim selection of shoes and accessories. This is partially true of today, however, it was clear that after the inevitable hype last week, the Barney’s Warehouse Sale has re-organized, added to the imperfections section, and applied deeper discounts to many items. 

First off, let’s start with a lady’s best friend — shoes! One thing many veteran Barney’s shoppers are not used to seeing at the Warehouse Sale are tidy shelves with designer shoes neatly arranged for proper viewing. Considering much of the overwhelming stock of shoes has depleted, the few pairs that are remaining are vying for attention. Just because they weren’t shoppers’ first choice last week, doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with them. There are plenty of discounted designer shoe options left to please (and perfect for fall!) including, a pair of Lanvin Pointed Leather Ankle Bootie in Size 8 ($438, pictured), Opening Ceremony Brown Leather and Rust Wedges in Size 7 ($149, pictured), a pair of size 6 Satore Ankle Cut Suede Boots in Sand ($419, orig. $1,045, pictured), a rocking pair of Alai Low Cut Black Suede Heels w/ Silver Detail in Size 11 ($1,019, orig. $2,040, pictured), and finally a cute pair of Loeffler Size 6.5 Brown Leather Ankle Boots.

The typically overflowing boxes o’ bags were slight and manageable today. While the selection of bags at the Barney’s Warehouse Sale is never stellar, there are a couple of worthwhile options to check out, namely a cute Tano Nubuck Grey Bag ($179, pictured) and a Theyskens’ Theory Axel Messenger Bag in Pine ($695, pictured).

To match your new fall heels, head to the denim section to get yourself a new pair of jeans. Many of these pants have new markdowns from last week’s sale, ranging from 10%-25% in additional discounts. Colored denim and cords are the hottest fall trend this season. To get ahead of the game you simply must take a peek at the Current Elliot Rustic Suede Pants in Size 29 that scream 1970’s ($330, pictured), a Size 27 pair of James Jeans Randi the Pencil Leg Jeans in Burgundy ($169, pictured), and Rag & Bone Elephant Bell Cords in Whiskey ($69, pictured).

As for the clothing, there were not many worthy options aside from the racks of damaged goods and imperfections. Many tags were marked with today’s date, indicating Barney’s has either brought in new additions today or that many items were damaged in the shopping last week. Among these tattered items was a Yellow and White Stripped Cashmere Sweater by The Row with a small hole on its left shoulder ($389, pictured), a pair of size 28 J Brand Maria Starless Straight Leg Denim Jeans with a ripped belt loop ($109), a stretched out pair of Current Elliot Jeans in Size 24 ($119, perfect for a size up), and last but not least, a gorgeous A.L.C. Black Ruffled Mini Skirt with a broken zipper ($169, pictured).

The contemporary collections were mostly stained and damaged as well, but not nearly as cheap as the above selections. The best of this gloomy bunch was a Phillip Lim Burgundy Sleeveless Button Up in a size 4 and 8 ($199, orig. $395, pictured), a gorgeous Vince Oversized Nude Sweater with laced in silver thread ($149, pictured), NSF Deep Plunging V-Neck Oatmeal Boyfriend Sweater in Size L ($109, pictured), a Phillip Lim (who seems to be the MVP of today’s sale) Short Sleeve Khaki Dress with Tie ($179), Elizabeth and James Mint Green Dress Pants ($159, orig. $285, pictured) and lastly a Crochet and Cherry Band of Outsiders Summer Dress in Size 3 ($199, pictured).

Sadly, the designer dress section was nearly empty. It was hard to find big names or a stunning dresses that were worth the big bucks. I did take note to two dresses that had multiple discounts, landing their price points within a reasonable range given their quality, and those were the Giambattista Valli Black and White Dress ($589, orig. $2,340, pictured) and the Rachas Short Sleeve Black Lace Dress ($909).

It seems that shoppers are not yet in the fall state of mind, so be sure to take advantage of their summer fever and get yourself some cheap a pair of designer denim in cold weather colors and fabulous suede shoes that many overlooked. The dust has been cleared off and items that you may not have taken notice to last week are now in the spotlight at the Barney’s Warehouse Sale, so hurry down to buy yourself a few designer additions for your fall wardrobe!

WHEN: 8/23 – 9/3;
8/23 – 8/24; Th-F (8-9)
8/25 – 8/26; Sat-Sun (9-8)
8/27 – 8/29; M-W (10-9)
8/30 – 8/31; TH-F (9-9)
9/1 – 9/2; Sat-Sun (9-8)
9/3; M (9-7)
9/4; Tue (9-9)

WHERE: 255 West 17th Street
(between 7th and 8th Avenues)
New York, NY 10011
212-450-8400.

By Caitlin Colford

If historical precedence stands, the Barney’s Warehouse Sale will begin its run of markdowns in just about a month. While we’ve made some killer finds at the BWS in the past (hello, $18 Diane Von Furstenberg skirt!), in recent years, it’s turned into a nightmare: long lines at even the most off of hours, selections wiped out by the last week, and, frankly, markdowns that just aren’t what they used to be. So that’s the bad news. Here’s the good news: with all the hype about the BWS, everyone’s sleeping on the regular Barneys Co-Op Summer Sale – and the bargains there are sensational.

We dropped into the Chelsea Co-Op yesterday. Where the aisles will soon be crowded with bargain-hunters in various states of undress, yesterday, they were almost empty. The sale selection isn’t vast – most of the store is still full price – but it’s better than you might expect. Markdowns go as low as 75% off and, while they don’t hit the bargain basement prices of the last day of the BWS, they’re comparable to what you’d find during the first week. We spotted a beyond-the-pale hot black lace with nude underlay Rag and Bone minidress for $199 from an original price of $495. Feeling a bit more demure? Pick up a perfectly ladylike true blue dress by Beyond Vintage for Barneys for just $139 (quite the savings from the original $340).

The summer sale even has BWS’ off-season finds covered – witness a grey fleece James Pearse dress ($139 from $225). An oatmeal colored moto cardi with shredded sleeves by Rodarte for Barneys ($158 from $398) will take you chicly into fall, as would an always-classic tres French super-thin striped sweater by Ever ($78 from $128). In the meantime, top your shorts with a lace-embellished tank by Gemma for Barneys ($69 from $128), sweet in cream or shocking in pink. The find of the sale, however, has got to be a macrame-esque Rag and Bone mini, a total statement piece at just $288 from $725. Sure, prices might be a skosh lower at the BWS, but it’s not a guarantee. What is a guarantee: if you wait for the big sale, you’ll be waiting in some big lines. Why not just go now?

WHEN: Ongoing, M-F (10-8), Sat (10-7), Sun (11-6)

WHERE: 660 Madison Avenue
(212.826.8900)

By Leila Cohan-Miccio