Diane von Furstenberg

We’re in the home stretch of Holiday madness. 2013 is knocking on our door and some will welcome the New Year with open arms, while others will shoo it away. Regardless of your feelings on the 13^th year of the millennium, be sure to start to new year fresh: Allow positive thoughts to wash over you like a salted ocean on a warm day and think up the ultimate resolution to achieve in 2013. It’s a new year, a new start, so do away with regrets and fears and make this one count.

Get What You Really Wanted

According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated $62.7 billion dollars worth of unwanted gifts will be returned this year. To avoid battling the crowds and waiting in that long, pesky return line, only to discover you failed to achieve the store’s return policy, be sure to do your research first.

Many stores will issue you a store credit so as long as your merchandise is unused and the tags are in tact, but some outlets are upping their policies this year due to a spike in return fraud, which will cost retailers $2.9 billion this season. The National Retail Federation reports that criminals will return stolen merchandise with fraudulent tags and receipts, making it difficult for employees to be generous with their understanding of receipt-less-returns.

Phoning your relatives and friends to request a receipt for their generous gift doesn’t sound fun or ideal, but at the end of the day they’d rather see you using something their money purchased for your rather than knowing that far-too-big sweater is sitting in the back of your closet. To smooth things over, after your exchange is complete, be sure to send your loved ones a picture message of the goodies their returned gift landed you.

New Year’s Day Sales

Many of us are suffering from shopping exhaustion and over indulgence, but those of us who are still hanging on and ready for more, Tuesday is your time to shine. As the partied-out nurse their champagne hangover on New Year’s Day, be the first in line for up to 70% off sales from department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Barney’s, who boast notoriously good New Year’s Day deals.

For those discount-seeking shoppers who can’t quite bare the light of day on New Year’s, there are plenty of online sales set to take place. Check Macys.com for price slashing coupon codes, as well as the sale section on Bloomingdales.com and Nordstrom.com, for additional markdowns.

Sample Sale Code: Light Yellow

There are no important sample sales to report during this holiday week, but if you are looking to get your fashion fix then get your discount shoe shopping on come Tuesday.

Located at 537 3^rd Avenue, Shoebox will play host to a Designer Warehouse Sale through January 7^th with footwear from Frye, Kate Spade, KORS, and many more for up to 80% off, in addition to handbag collections from Rebecca Minkoff, Kooba, and Botkier, among others.

A similar sale of sorts is going on nearby in Gotham Hall at 1356 Broadway. Starting Wednesday at 9AM, the Shoe-Inn Footwear Warehouse Sale will unleash a price set sale, with boots from Ralph Lauren, Elizabeth and James, Sam Edelman, Frye, and more marked at either $50, $75, $100 and $150 and designer shoes from Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, marked at $25, $50 or $75.

With so many parties and far too much shopping taking place early on in the week, you’re going to have to make next Saturday and Sunday the ultimate recovery weekend. Did someone say spa day? Happy New Year shopping lovers!

By Caitlin Colford

It’s that time of the year again! The Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week is back and bigger than ever. For the forth year in a row, on Thursday, September 5th, from 6PM – 11PM, Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) will act as the kick off to a week of runway shows, as well as several other events set to take place throughout the week that are geared toward fashion industry insiders. There is a sense of anticipation wafting through Manhattan this week and heightened style everywhere you look, not to mention anxiety ridden fashion industry employees, decorated with high fashion apparel, buzzing about the island in order to assure all runs smoothly.

Few debate the use of New York Fashion Week, but FNO continues to get mixed reviews. While the now global event proves fun for shoppers, namely the young crowd, FNO as a whole seems to become a burden for retailers. There are no real numbers to back up its efficiency in terms of increasing sales, but we all know Ms. Wintour benefits from her brainchild after launching FNO back in 2009, as we have recently learned about her Ambassadorship dreams.

Regardless of the negative reviews, or questions of purpose, we consumers and forever lovers of all things fashion, will celebrate Thursday’s Fashion Night Out as our one day to bask in the industry that makes us squeal with glee and gladly accept the free drinks, gifts with purchase, limited edition products, fun events, and celebrity appearances.

FashionsNightOut.com is an uber informative and organized website, not to mention The Stylish City’s recommended source of information and inspiration. This official website will help to make you make an efficient decision on how to spend your evening, customized by what (or who) you want to see. Your choice of venue should certainly be made with care in order to get the most of FNO, which is made for you, the consumer!

Although FNO events are scattered throughout the city, there are two major hubs, holding numerous destinations: SoHo and the Upper East Side. Apart from the locations, the many events seem to fall into one of the following categories: Celebrity and designer appearances, free drinks, music, contests. quirky attractions, and spa-like services that include everything from makeovers to massages. Numerous shops and boutiques are also offering a free gift with a minimum purchase, so be sure to check FashionNightOut.com in order to get the best bang for your buck!

If your inner paparazzo is ready and waiting to shine, opt for venues that feature celebrity appearances. Kim Kardashian is set to make an exclusive appearance at Lord and Taylor, 424 5th Avenue, in honor of her fragrance True Reflection, while Diane von Furstenberg, Solange Knowles, and Girls co-star Allison Williams will be on hand at DVF Meatpacking, 874 Washington Street, as MAC provides complimentary make-overs and fortunetellers determine your fashion future.

For some more fun, quirky events, combined with celebrity appearances do not miss Kate Upton and Nikki Reed judging a karaoke contest at Michael Kors’ Upper East Side location, 667 Madison Avenue, and the Olsen Twins doing the very same at Barneys, Madison and 61st Street. Down in SoHo a heated game of Pictionary will be in full swing as Brad Goreski and Kate Spade’s president, Deborah Lloyd, face off with there best doodles while we play along and sip on milkshakes – Kate Spade, 454 Broome Street.

Apart from DVF’s MAC set up, many other venues will be offering free make-overs that are sure to draw some of the biggest crowds. In honor of their 111th anniversary, Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue, will feature on hand professionals in the area of brow, last and nails, while Maybelline parks their Mobile Color Studio in Times Square, Broadway at 41st/42nd, and Union Square, Union Square West at 14th/15th, and invites you to pop in for daytime touch-ups and mini-manicures. Free goodies will be distributed at Matt Bernson, 20 Harrison Street, to the first 100 customers, in addition to their endless complimentary cocktails from Given Liqueur, fashion manicures by NailEZEE and a braid bar by Joico.

Tired yet? Tough! Head to Scoop NY’s Meatpacking District Block Party, 875 Washington Street, and grab yourself a complimentary cocktail from Tequila Avion as you shop and groove to Brooklyn-based band St. Lucia and DJ Mick Boogie. Still haven’t had your fill? Opt for one last round of karaoke (arguably the most popular attraction this year) to end your fashion forward evening at Opening Ceremony, 20 West 29th Street, as you harmonize with your closest friends in their noraebang, a Korean karaoke room in the Ace Hotel.

Just think, all of this is just the kick off to the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week, leaving New Yorkers no time for a fashion hang over. But, come next Thursday, September 13th, you’ll be left with a full 51 weeks to recover, allowing you to be fresh as a daisy and ready for another round of fashion mania.

By Caitlin Colford

Some of New York City’s most famous designers – our local trophies of sorts –  will be hosting to die for sample sales this week. Perhaps not born in the city that never sleeps, they have all certainly made their mark after moving in and becoming among our favorite residents. From Ralph Lauren, to Charlotte Ronson, and the ever popular Diane Von Furstenberg, these top designers will be hosting sample sales this week that are sure to draw in the masses. To top it off, some great cashmere sales from Autumn Cashmere and Christopher Fischer will be taking place to turn your daywear dresses into comfortable nightwear this summer.

The Ralph Lauren Sample Sale

Upper East Side resident Ralph Lauren launches our mad trio of sample sales this week on Monday, June 4^th at Soiffer Hasken. The Ralph Lauren Sample Sale most typically features a wide selection of spring, summer, and cruise wear from his Purple Line and Blue Line with some eveningwear from his Black Line intermixed.

DVF Diane Von Furstenberg Clothing & Accessories Sample Sale

The moment we have all been waiting for! It’s that time again where DVF brings us bottom of the barrel discounts at the Diane Von Furstenberg Sample Sale. Come Tuesday, June 5^th, at 260 Fifth Ave, the doors will open to let hundreds, if not thousands, crowd in as they browse up to 70% off ready-to-wear fashions and accessories from the famed Meatpacking District resident. Last year’s sale was a crowd pleaser with dresses as low as $125, so I don’t see why this year won’t be the same.

Charlotte Ronson Sample Sale

The popular bohemian chic East Village resident Charlotte Ronson has been known to mix and match wild styles to create one elegant and unique piece. At the Charlotte Ronson Sample Sale on Wednesday, June 6^th, for up to 75% off you will find hip designs from 1920’s inspired dresses with a touch of grunge to lacy tops and floral patterns.

Cashmere, cashmere, cashmere!

Get your cashmere fix this week at the Autumn Cashmere Clothing & Accessories Sample Sale. Don’t let the name fool you, this same sale, beginning Monday, June 4^th, promises trendy cashmere for summer with up to 75% off summer weight sweaters and linen blended v-necks. After you’ve had your fill head over to stock up at the Christopher Fischer Cashmere Sample Sale where cashmere sweaters, scarves, and home items are up to 80% off!

Last week we celebrated our veterans with immense pride for our country. This week we’ll celebrate the fashion designers that make our closets happy with immense pride for New York City!

By Caitlin Colford

The always hectic 260 5^th Avenue hubbub for popular sales, was in usual form today for the Rent the Runway Sample Sale, a company who loans out designer dresses for a fee, think Netflix for gowns. These designer dresses were loosely hung on hangers, easily plopping to the wet floor only to then be thrown carelessly over the racks.

Although the sale began yesterday, a good crowd of people still shifted through racks of previously rented and lightly used designer dresses, hoping to discover something incredible. When you think about it, although used, perhaps lightly stained or torn, these are usually expensive dresses at in insanely cheap price – you won’t see a price tag for a Robert Rodriguez dress like this for some time to come (if ever again).

Racked  reported yesterday that there “were ample options for every size,” but that was not the case today. They also noted that the dresses were, for the most part, in good condition, which remains true for some, but after multiple try-ons and visits to the ground, some dresses have mascara stains, deodorant marks and slight pulls so be careful.

Great finds were still easy to locate, but some sections were clearly slimmer than others. Such racks designated for size 4 were slight, and the 14-16 rack only held about two dozen dresses between them.

I sorted through each section carefully, finding the best of what’s still available in each size.

Size 0

Haute Hippie Champagne Fountain Dress ($30 – pictured)

Size 2

Theory Pleated Tank Dress ($95 – pictured)
Robert Rodriguez Sophisticated Merlot Dress ($150, orig. $650)
Tibi Perfect Party Dress ($53)

Size 4

Tracy Reese Coral Floral Sheath Dress ($95 – pictured)
Nicole Miller Catwalk Dress ($95)

Size 6

Robert Rodriguez Sequin Inset Draped Dress ($95)
Toffee Ripple Delight Dress ($165)
Milly Cotton Candy Dress ($54 – pictured)

Size 8

Rebecca Taylor Blush Mirror Dress ($74 – pictured)
Hanii Y Wire Cage Dress ($59)

Size 10

Lela Rose Portrait Collar Dress ($150)
Milly Flower Power Dress ($58)

Size 12

Kate Spade Andorra Dress ($85)
Diane von Furstenberg Taste of Elegance Dress ($56)

Unfortunately, I only stumbled upon Diane von Furstenberg and Kate Spade dresses in one section, proving the best of the sale has already been snagged. Milly was definitely the dominating designer of Day Two of the Rent the Runway Sample Sale, holding the best bang for your buck and some super cute dresses. If you’re thrilled by any of the aforementioned options then definitely scoot over to 260 Fifth Ave ASAP, otherwise you may be SOL.

WHEN: 2/28 – 3/4; Tue-W (10-8), Th-F (10-7), Sat (10-6), Sun (11-3)

WHERE: 260 5th Avenue
(Between 28/29th Street)
NY, NY 10001
212.725.5400

By Caitlin Colford