Caitlin Colford

This week, hearts are fluttering, arrows are flying, and those with a sweet tooth are squealing with glee in anticipation for Valentine’s Day this Thursday. New Yorkers’ reactions to the heart shaped holiday are across the board: Some simply love to be wine and dined, others enjoy a low-key night with their sweetie, while some shun the Hallmark-holiday all together. Whatever the case may be, if you’re shrieking over your new jewels, munching on chocolate truffles, or hiding under your pillow in your favorite sweats waiting for Friday to come, at least take the time to indulge in some good ol’ classic splurging this week as we celebrate our one true love of shopping together.

Sample Sale Alert: Orange

IF Boutique Basement Sale

The semi-annual IF Boutique Basement Sale is back on Wednesday in SoHo and ready for action. For lovers of avant-garde fashion, this is the sale for you. With up to 85% off clothing, footwear and accessories from edgy designer brands such as Junya Watanbe, Dries Van Noten, Maison Martin Margiela, Rick Owens, Common des Garcons, and more, it’s almost guaranteed you can’t go wrong. Last year, Ivan Grundal’s pieces were the majority, while tops by Comme des Garcon averaged around $200, down from well over a thousand bucks a pop.

Barneys New York Warehouse Sale

It seems The Stylish City’s speculation in regards to the question, “Where, oh where did the sample sales go?” was in the ballpark, as exemplified by Barneys latest sale tactics. In late January of this year, WWD reported that on February 4^th the now live off-price web site Barneyswarehouse.com would launch in a permanent fashion. If you can recall last year, Barneys presented a similar website to shoppers to go hand in hand with their infamous Warehouse Sale, which in turn trimmed the crowds at the typically jam packed Chelsea location.

This in turn is not good news for fans of the physical Warehouse Sale. WWD goes on to claim that after Barneys February Warehouse Sale beginning on Thursday and lasting through the 24^th, future sales will be located a block away and “merchandise will turn heavily towards men’s.” Translation being: This will be the final Barneys New York Warehouse Sale as we know it.

Although the current selection on Barneyswarehouse.com doesn’t give us much to go on, for nostalgia’s sake, be sure to visit the beloved physical sale one final time before it leaves us forever.

jumelle Sample Sale

Last year’s jumelle clean out sale in Williamsburg impressed shoppers and it expects to do so again this time around. The small boutique filled with our favorite high-end designers, mixed with up-and-comers, offers an eclectic array of downtown fashion. This year, jumelle Sample Sale is advertising up to 75% off such collections from Alexander Wang, Electric Feathers, Isabel Marant and more. Last year, T by Alexander Wang pieces were discovered for $75, while $180 landed you a pair of Dieppa Restrepo lace-up boots and bins were on hand with $25 and $50 offerings.

United Bamboo Sample Sale

Lifestyle brand United Bamboo is holding a two-day sample sale beginning on Friday on Centre Street. The art inspired designing duo, not only incorporates creativity into their unique cuts and innovative fabrics, but also through projects such as artistic designed T-shirts and compilation CDs. The sale has been noted to offer steals, such as sample shoes for as low as $40, as well as jersey knit cardigans for the same price and denim for $50. This is a true blue same sale, so be prepared to do some sorting and initiate careful examinations on samples and merchandise from not only United Bamboo, but brands Creatures of Comfort, Tess Giberson, and Auntie Oti as well.

As Valentine’s Day concludes, we sincerely hope that if you’re not left with chocolates gifted with love, you, at the very least, are left with a new pile of clothing purchased at rock bottom prices.

By Caitlin Colford

Today is the official start to the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week for Fall 2013 Collections! Wow, okay, not excited? I can almost hear your “over-it” sighs proceeded by an exaggerated eye rolling. I know, I know, another year, another fashion week. You are fans of fashion, heck, you live for fashion, but you feel like a kid during recess who is left out of an exciting game of kickball. Year after year you read reviews straight from the runways, drool over photos, and watch six-foot tall models from around the globe strut around your city like they own the place. There are fashion events everywhere and you are not invited. I get it. But fashionistas do not give up! Do not throw away the opportunity to be ahead of the trends and to keep up on all the happenings of your favorite designers simply because you feel left out! Seize the opportunities that this year’s fashion week is presenting to us! With more public events plus the ability to now stream runway shows live online, you will have the same perks that Anna Wintour has! Well, almost. Ok, not really. But let’s pretend because this is your ultimate chance to get out your notebooks, jot down your favorite looks and participate in the fashion gossip that is buzzing around on the web, whether it be on a message board or your own fashion blog, as well as talk shop in person with fellow fashionistas at fun and free events.

Fashion Week Kick-Off!

Tonight is the night to schmooze as you sip champagne with industry insiders and celebrities alike. Head over to XL Nightclub for the Official NY Fashion Week Kickoff Party when doors open at 8pm to assure entry and to grab yourself a prime time spot in order to people watch and see which fashion maven you can talk up in order to score an invitation to the upcoming week’s runway shows.

THURSDAY, February 7th — Fashion Week Day One

This year, Lincoln Center expects to see more than 100,000 people in their Damrosch Park during eight days of fashion. Many fashion lovers will camp outside the invitation only shows to simply people watch and spy on what the who’s-who of fashion is wearing. But it’s too cold for that this year. You, my friend have an invitation of your own this time around. Such sites as newyork.mbfashionweek.com and livestream.com, as well as designer’s respective official sites, will offer a live view of their individual runway shows.

From here on out, follow the links we provide for shows that we recommended in order to snag a front row seat to all the fashionable action.

9 a.m. ET — Nicolas K

10 a.m. ET — BCBGMAXAZRIA

FRIDAY, February 8th — Fashion Week Day Two

3 p.m. ET – Rebecca Minkoff

In between live streams, head down to Bloomingdale’s in SoHo to shop brand new ready-to-wear collections from noted emerging designers. Designers featured in this one-time showcase include Aristotle Rosario, Daniella Kallmeyer and Sunghee Bang. Pair your hot new clothing with accessories from on the rise jewelers Anna Coroneo, Laura Wass and Leonard Bridges. All designers noted above were the winners selected from Bloomingdale’s B Seen program in January.

6 p.m. ET – Nicole Miller

SATURDAY, February 9th — Fashion Week Day Three

11 a.m. ET – Jill Stuart

The popular Nolita restaurant Ken & Cook will play home to a special event titled “A Night of Art Meets Fashion,” which is hosted by Amy Poliakoff from Bravo’s “Gallery Grils.” This pop-up is a mash-up of stunning pieces by talented artists and designers alike. All artwork, by both established and upcoming artists, will be on sale during a fun cocktail reception starting at 9pm. Also available for purchase will be unique fashion items from Fashion Week designers during a lively fashion show presentation at 11pm. Proceeds will benefit Women’s Cancer Research and the Hurricane Sandy Relief Kitchen.

SUNDAY, February 10th — Fashion Week Day Four

2 p.m. ET – Tracy Reese

4 p.m. ET – Diane von Furstenberg

6 p.m. ET – Vivienne Tam

MONDAY, February 11th — Fashion Week Day Five

10 a.m. ET – Carolina Herrera

2 p.m. ET – Donna Karan

5 p.m. ET – Betsey Johnson

Monday evening in the West Village brings us another fun and fashionable benefit. From 7pm-10pm Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar (our two favorite things) will celebrate Fashion Week as they host “Sip IN Style,” and evening full of live jazz music, fashion inspired cocktails, and raffles for designer handbags and jewelry, all benefiting the New York City based charity Dress For Success. Simply RSVP to [email protected] to get your name on the list.

TUESDAY, February 12th — Fashion Week Day Six

10 a.m. ET – Badgley Mischka

11 a.m. ET – Vera Wang

3 p.m. ET – Dennis Basso

6:30 p.m. ET – Oscar de la Renta

WEDNESDAY, February 13th — Fashion Week Day Seven

10 a.m. ET – Michael Kors

11 a.m. ET – Nanette Lepore

1 p.m. ET – Rachel Zoe

2 p.m. ET – J. Mendel

6 p.m. ET – Anna Sui

THURSDAY, February 14th — Fashion Week Day Eight

Happy Valentine’s Day! Unfortunately neither Ralph Lauren nor Calvin Klein wish to be our valentine and in turn are not offering live streams of their runway shows. That’s fine. We’ll just have to stalk to trades for reviews of this one.

So until the next go-round of live streams and fashionable events, Bye Bye Bye Fashion Week! It’s been fun!

By Caitlin Colford

Will spring come early this year? Late? On Saturday morning, the infamous Punxsutawney Phil will determine our future as he pops out from his burrow. Although we are all anxiously awaiting our seasonal prediction, perhaps while he’s at it he could also inform us as to what’s going on with the current sample sale season. I’m sure you are all tired of hearing this by now, but as we have frequently been pointing out the fact that sample sales have been few and far between as of late. Interestingly enough, many sales this week begin Friday or Saturday, on Phil’s Groundhog holiday, vs. mid-week. Perhaps designers and stores are hoping to draw in more of a crowd on the weekends with the added foot traffic? Who knows. Hopefully Phil will tell us. Until his determination, this weekend and Tuesday, don’t miss sales from In God We Trust, Scoop, Dagny + Barstow, Delicate Raymond, The Shoe Box and Kleinfeld.

SAMPLE SALE ALERT: YELLOW

Saturday Sale Surplus

If there’s a day to shop this week, it’s Saturday. A crazy amount of sample sales and warehouse sales are going on, so choose wisely. Last week, I visited Scoop NYC Ultimate Closet Warehouse Sale in SoHo and needless to say, I came away with a bag full of T by Alexander Wang tops and didn’t even come close to breaking the bank. T by Alexander Wang tops and Rag & Bone denim and cords were the majority in the sale, which is located in the rear of the store where 50% is taken off of already reduced merchandise, totaling a whopping 75% off retail prices. A sale like this one certainly trumps the crowded sample sales of the respectful designers at hand.

After visiting Scoop’s awesome sale, head over a few blocks over to the In God We Trust Sample Sample Sale on Lafayette Street. This fun and funky store features not only cool trinkets and quirky jewelry, but also vintage inspired clothing from the store’s brand and private label collections. Don’t think you’re done just yet. Jump a few blocks east to the Bowery and hit up the ultra hip Dagney + Barstow Warehouse Sale where 80% off will be deducted from pieces by edgy designers such as Roseanna, Sophie Hulme, Swash London and Micaela Greg.

If you still haven’t had your fill, drop down to the Lower East Side to visit the Delicate Raymond Valentine’s Day Sample Sale for 70% off funky necklaces, one of a kind samples, and vintage costume jewelry from the 1980’s. I know you’re exhausted by now, but on your way home pop in to the daily replenished, smoking Shoe Box Warehouse Sale, which we reviewed for you earlier this week.

Showroom Seven Sample Sale

For sample sale shopping veterans out there, you are all familiar with Showroom Seven’s Sample Sale by now. Beginning Tuesday, the showroom, which features merchandise by Charlotte Ronson, Issa London, Orla Kiely, and more, is known for slashing up to 70% off retail prices. At previous sales, there was a wide variety of accessories, with jewelry marked anywhere between $100-$900. Orla Kiely merchandise is typically the majority, with clothing priced between $100-$250. Issa London recently had a sale on Gilt, where many of her dresses were under $100, so be on the lookout for great deals on this admired brand.

Kleinfeld Bridal Anniversary Sample Sale

Gather up a trusty team of wedding gown snatchers similar to the one Monica assembled in the infamous Friends episode where they take on the Kleinfeld Sample Sale. The secret to success Monica held during her battle with the sale, was to have a specific gown and/or specific style picked out in advance. Print out three photos of the bridal gown, one for yourself and two for the lucky members of your team, and take on the racks of gorgeous gowns from Badgley Mischka, Lanvin, and more starting at just $999 with shoes and veils starting at $99.

Jennifer Tyler Sample Sale

The 25 year brand Jennifer Tyler, a long beloved label is now run by not only Jennifer herself, but Claire, the designer’s daughter as well. The semi-annual Jennifer Tyler Sample Sale will have a late in the day start at 4pm on Wednesday at the sale’s usual home, The Surrey on the Upper East Side. This year, the sale promises hip-length cardigans for $225 and cropped sweaters for $100 each. At past years’ sales shoppers found cardigans for $95 and fox trim ponchos for $650.

If Saturday Sale Surpluses are the new trend then so be it. Our bosses will appreciate it, especially if it means that we don’t come in an hour late every time there’s a Chanel or Dolce sale going on.

By Caitlin Colford

The Shoe Box, known to Manhattanites as a trio of designer shoe boutiques located along the stretch of Third Avenue, has been open since 1954, with stores not only on Third Avenue, but also on Long Island and in Boca Raton, Florida. Earlier this year The Shoe Box on Third Avenue and 34^th Street hosted a Warehouse Sale with deep discounts on designer footwear. Since then, the 34^th Street location has closed for renovations (they will soon re-open as a Vince Camuto boutique) and moved their stock up to their 77^th Street and Third Avenue location, where they have slashed prices even further and are currently underway with their own Warehouse Sale with 40% off already marked down prices.

When I visited the Warehouse Sale this morning around 11AM, the sale had only been underway for an hour, yet The Shoe Box’s pleasant saleswoman reported that she had sold a great deal of merchandise thus far, even selling out of such winter accessories as their collection of Vince Camuto hats. Rest assured shoppers, she further went on to state that The Shoe Box will be restocking later today with additional designers and added supply.

The Shoe Box’s winter top sellers (all of which were by Vince Camuto, the brand that dominates the sale selection) were on hand today and available for ultra low prices. These included the Vince Camuto Brown Kabo Boot with a distressed leather toe ($99, orig. $239), the VC Signature (Camuto’s higher end line) Warren Boot ($96, orig. $350), and the VC Signature Waris Boot with studded embellishment ($120, orig. $450).

There was a nice assortment in every size selection, sizes 8 and 8.5 of course being the majority. For the most part, many styles repeated in every size section. Some standouts among smoking flats (another fabulous winter trend) included the BCBG Fernando Smoking Flat ($45, orig. $90), the Giuseppe Zanotti Studded Smoking Flat ($275, orig. $930), and the quirky Marc By Marc Jacobs Blue and Black Sequin Smoking Flat ($48, orig. $250).

Dressy booties have definitely been another shoe trend of the season. Some fantastic choices in this category was the Vince Camuto Amoby Bootie ($48, orig. $139), and the Vince Camuto Muse Bootie in either black cow hair or distressed brown leather ($48, orig. $139).

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the rarely discounted Toms Suede Botas ($15, orig. $69) and Minnetonka Moccasins ($18, orig. $45) as they are scarcely scattered around the store.

Don’t miss the small collection of Stella McCartney shoes on the front table by the entrance with her Black Leather Platforms with Wood Heels ($119).

As far as accessories go, there were a few Vince Camuto bags for $49 that included his Red Jennah Crossbody Bag and his Kaitlyn Clutch in green, blue, and red, as well as a selection of his cozy scarves, all in dark colors, for $29. 

Overall, even though the selection at The Shoe Box wasn’t overwhelming, I was pleasantly surprised by their incredible discounts. I mean, Toms for $15? Marc by Marc Jacobs for $48? Yes, please!

WHEN: 1/29 – 2/10; Tue-Sun (10-9)

WHERE: 1349 Third Avenue
corner of 77th Street
212.535.9615
New York, NY 10021

By Caitlin Colford