Caitlin Colford

Although the Roger Vivier Sample Sale kicked off this morning at 10AM (9AM for VIP shoppers), the line accumulated down the entire stretch of 33rd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, and wrapped around the corner to collect record breaking count of shoppers by lunchtime.

According to security, each corralled section of shoppers equated an estimated one hour wait. With some simple math, by 12:30PM shoppers at the end of the line faced 5 hours before them. Wow! Lucky for waiting shoppers, they were on the sun soaked side of the street, allowing them to work on their tan as they dreamed of discounted designer shoes. One sunburned shopper in particular had about a two hour wait in front of her and she had been in line since 8:15AM!

Known for being the originator of the stiletto heel, Roger Vivier is noted for his classic designs for some of the world’s most beloved stars, including Ava Gardner and the Beatles. But even so, is that fact worth spending half your day outside?

I was lucky enough to speak to a few shoppers who were among the first in line this morning, before the sun was even up. A gaggle of girls toted at least one bag each, some with two or three, and spoke highly of the sale. They mentioned that there was a great selection of flats for only $250, and all prices were 50% off their retail counterpart. They mentioned further that on average, stilettos were $350, with embellished shoes much higher.

The Roger Vivier Sample Sale is only in its 3rd year, and in the past, stock was slim after the first few days. Given today’s outrageous crowd, stock is not expected to last through the sale’s end on Tuesday.

For those hoping to peek inside the Roger Vivier Sample Sale, your best bet is to wait until midday tomorrow as I’m sure come 9AM when the doors open, shoppers in line from today will still be left over. Is it worth the wait? You tell us! Share your inside scoop within our comments section.

WHEN: 4/5 – 4/9; F (10-7), Sat-Mon (9-6:30), Tues (9-5)

WHERE: Soiffer Haskin
317 West 33rd Street
(Just west of 8th Avenue)
New York
(718) 747-1656, M-F (9-6)

By Caitlin Colford

This weekend, take some time out of your Saturday in order to do a bit of spring cleaning. If you’re successfully able to part ways with old designs and ill-fitting jeans, then you’ll realize that there’s nothing quite like a slight looking closet, ready for some cheery additions. In order to pack those racks right back up to capacity, after Easter this Sunday, hop on over to some sales from Rent the Runway, Bettye Muller and Linda Richards, and The Wrights Collection as we, quite literally, gear up to break out the warm weather clothing and prepare for weekend trips and beach vacations.

Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival

Easter and New York City meet for a perfect blend of colorful quirk thanks to the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival on Sunday. From 10AM until 4PM New Yorkers get a dose of originality as mad hatters sport their favorite bonnets and march the parade route along Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Street. To make it even better, many paraders allow their costumed pets to tag along with them.

Rent the Runway Sample Sale

Come Monday you can Rent the Runway during their sample sale at 260 Fifth Avenue. Rent the Runway, the popular online destination for those seeking a one-night-only designer dress, is now offering up their merchandise for keeps during their week-long sale. Last year, by day two of the sale pickings were slim. As we reported, considering these dresses have been worn multiple times, we were disappointed to find so many mascara stains, deodorant marks, and pulls on the designer goods.

Bettye Muller and Linda Richards Sample Sale

Although usually paired with brands Butter and Something Bleu, this time around Bettye Muller teams up with Linda Richards for a Sample Sale on their shoes and accessories. Prices are always remarkably low at these sales at 38^th street, and shoes will by marked for $50 and under this time around. Sandals, skimmers, and flats will be on hand for spring and summer stock up!

The Wrights Collection Sample Sale

Load up on basics, brights, and prints at The Wrights Sample Sale, taking place in the brand’s midtown showroom come Wednesday. Both The Wrights’ Resort and Spring Collections will be on sale for up to 75% off retail prices. From leather jackets to jersey knits, although not a widely known brand, this sale certainly looks promising. Last year, during The Wrights Collection Sample Sale, cute cropped jackets were spotted for $260, while jersey knits were $60 and leather jackets were $300. Also, be sure to not pass up a peak at their true samples on hand.

Etc., Etc.

Beginning Wednesday, Shoshanna is no longer just your favorite Girls character. At the Shoshanna Sample Sale, 75% off is taken of the retail price of the brand’s dresses, swimwear and separates. Also, if you’re in the market for a jewelry pick-me-up, don’t miss out on the Wanderluster Sample Sale where funky and fun jewelry will be sold for up to 60% off retail prices.

Happy Easter!

By Caitlin Colford

The Nicole Miller Sample Sale is well stocked with beautiful designs at incredibly low prices. Beginning on Tuesday at 10AM, the Nicole Miller Sample Sale will open its doors to the public at 260 Fifth Avenue. The Stylish City was lucky enough to score an invite to a preview of the sale on Monday, and needless to say, we were very impressed with what we saw.

Nicole Miller, who is known for her fabric manipulations, and bright prints and patterns, not only offers show stopping dresses, but also stunning casual wear and a gorgeous collection of bridal wear. Her recently launched casual line, Artelier, was available in the truckload throughout the racks, and – if you’re not in the market for a bridal gown – this selection is the sure hit of the sale.

On Monday, RueLaLa launched their very own Nicole Miller sale, offering Miller’s popular dresses, blouses and skirts at a discount. However, these prices pale in comparison to the tags at the Nicole Miller Sample Sale, exhibiting that the physical sale trumps the digital this week.

If you are a bride to be, and missed last week’s round of bridal sample sale shopping, then seriously, make sure you’re at the top of the line at the opening of the Nicole Miller Sample Sale. These designer gowns are $350. Did you hear that? $350 for a designer gown! Dresses are available in sizes 0-16, with the majority of the dresses in size 4. Many of the styles are well stocked and reappear throughout each size section. If you prefer lavish, princess style bridal wear then this sale may not be your fit. But if you’re into the simple yet elegant look, then this is your jam. Nearly all the dresses are 94% silk, 6% spandex (some 96%/4%), and feature an empire, flare, or simple A-line style. Did I mention they’re $350?

As stated earlier, if you are not in the market for bridal-wear than this sale is still worth a visit for the Nicole Miller Artelier pieces on sale. This casual line is a hybrid of uptown and downtown fashion — perfectly edgy while maintaining sophistication. Some of the standouts include Faux Stretch Leather Leggings in a variety of styles ($60), Floral Patterned Black Skinny Jeans ($60), a Black and Gold Military Wool Blazer ($85), Silk Tuxedo Shirt Dress with an Embellished Collar ($80) and an olive green Cupro Jacket ($85).

A wide variety of classic Nicole Miller dresses were lusted after at the sale, including a Blue Rayon Dress ($80), which was skin tight and a sure flattering fit, a silk Mustard Shirt Dress with Embellished Shoulders ($80), as well as a nice variety of printed and solid color skirts, with the majority being short and a few knee-length exceptions ($40).

There were only about five pairs of shoes to be seen ($50 each), including the Peep Toe Ankle Boot and the Pony Vintage Knee Boot. Also, only a small collection of jewelry was on hand, including statement bib necklaces, simple charms, and bright snap bracelets ($40 a piece).

The far back of the room features a large collection of true, one-of-a-kind samples. None of the pieces here caught my eye, but they’re worth a browse to see if you have any luck! Prices run between $30 for tops and $100 for bridal.

As a last note, there is no leather category at this sale therefor any leather pieces you find are categorized within their respective style’s price point (i.e. a leather jacket is only $85).

All in all, the Nicole Miller Sample Sale is a do not miss. So what are you waiting for? Get on over there! Happy Shopping!

WHEN: 3/26 – 3/30; Tue (10-7), W-Th (10-8), F (10-7), Sat (10-5)

WHERE: 260 Fifth Avenue
between 28th and 29th Streets
New York, NY

By Caitlin Colford

Caitlin Erin here, The Stylish City’s official grand marshal of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day. I take great pride in leading you through my favorite green day full of beer, laughs, bangers, and mash. Since St. Paddy’s 2013 falls on a Sunday, a day of observance, New York City’s famous and flocked to parade will be held on Saturday. Strange, I know, but this just means two full days of Irish fare and fun rather than a measly one.

St. Paddy’s Saturday

Start your Saturday off early with a traditional Irish coffee at home (simply coffee and whiskey, and for an added sweet and creamy punch pour in some Bailey’s) and warm your bones before you head over to claim territory along the parade route. You COULD bring your alcoholic treat along with you within your Starbucks cup, but we would never recommend anything illegal ;).

As always, the parade runs along Fifth Avenue between 44^th Street to 86^th Street, with ticket-only grandstanding on 64^th Street. Depending on what kind of day you want to make it, the relaxed attendees typically hang above 59ths Street, while the party happens on 58^th and below. Post-Parade if you’re down to battle massive crowds for a pint, head over to 2^nd Avenue where every bar along the stretch of 50th-59^th Street is an honorary Irish pub for the day.

St. Paddy’s Sunday

While everyone’s hungover on Sunday, make the best of St. Patrick’s Day by celebrating within New York City’s most notable pubs downtown.  Begin with a traditional Irish breakfast, stocked with black pudding, Irish sausage, corned beef hash, and Irish bacon at Molly’s Shebeen (a shebeen refers to an illegally operated drinking establishment, but don’t worry, this one’s legal!). Get there early, as I’m sure this one will pack up quickly! Next up, have a few house brews at New York City’s oldest standing watering hole, McSorley’s Ale House, which was established in 1854 as an Irish workingman’s saloon. Relish in the wafts of antiquity – which smells strangely similar to stale beer and sawdust – and enjoy the history that decorates the walls. Lastly, end your night with some live music and Jameson on the rocks at Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar. You can’t find a pub with a better name than that!

Sample Sale Alert: Yellow

Go taxi free this week, and work off those beer calories by hoofing it on foot from sale to sale!

Oscar de la Renta Sample Sale

Oscar clearly isn’t Irish, as he chooses to mark the start of his sample sale on St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you visit on Sunday or Monday, be sure to let us know how the selection is at the Oscar de la Renta Sample Sale! The sale promises fur jackets for $1,320 and strapless dresses for $975. All other merchandise will be marked down up to 80% off.

Roberta Freymann & Roberta Roller Rabbit Clothing & Home Goods Sample Sale

This event may have the longest title in sample sale history. Freyman, a New York based designer, has been creating one-of-a-kind pieces since 1996, when she opened her first bazaar inspired store on the Upper East Side. During the Roberta Freymann & Roberta Roller Rabbit Sample Sale, which begins Tuesday, expect to find bib necklaces for $50 and pleat front dresses for $60. At past sales, shoppers discovered tunics for $20, button downs for $25, and evening dresses for $100.

Heike Jarick Sample Sale

The Stylish City recently interviewed designer Heike Jarick, and was extremely impressed by her vision, quality of clothing, and fair price points. Jarick’s Spring and Summer 2013 line will be on sale beginning Wednesday at the designer’s showroom. What’s cool about this sample sale is that Jarick’s staff will assist you in resizing each sample to fit you properly and ship you the reworked, personally tailored piece to your home within 3 weeks! In this day and age, it can’t get any better than that.

Other sales happening this week that may be worth a browse, is the Just Cavalli, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, & Pierre Balmain Sample Sale on 36^th Street, which will have spring and summer finds on hand, the Marc Bouwer Sample Sale, which promises dresses galore on 57^th Street and the Twinkle by Wenlan Archival Warehouse Sale beginning Wednesday, with merchandise from all seasons, including wool jackets, silk dresses, and hand-knot scarves.

Hope you’re graced with a bit o’  luck of the Irish this week! Sláinte!

By Caitlin Colford