Greta Jenkins

If your underwear drawer needs to be refreshed, head over to the Kiki de Montparnasse sale for over 80% off bras, panties, and assorted lingerie. The showroom staff was very attentive; I was asked whether I knew my bra size and whether I needed help finding styles in that size.

This sale has a larger selection of ready-to-wear. There are a few racks of lounge shorts, which are $30 for the basic cotton pairs, $45 for silk pairs, and $55 for silk and lace shorts. Lounge pants are available for $50. Cashmere leggings were available for $150 in grey, beige, and black, and $50 lace leggings are available in black. Jeans are available for $75.

Jersey crop tops are $30, jersey cotton camisoles are $40, and jersey tees are $45. Silk camisoles are $70, silk and lace camisoles are $75, and silk blouses are $95. Leather bustiers are $250. There is a small selection of maxi dresses available for $250.

The lingerie takes up the entire back of the showroom. Three different bra types are available; bralettes for $40, and underwire and longline bras for $50.

Underwire bras are available in sizes A-DD, with 32 to 36 bands. There were three racks of size A bras, two racks of B, and one rack each of C and D/DD. Within the A cups, a majority of the bras had a 36 band, but there were also a fair number of 34s. It was rare to find a 32A. B cups are also 36-heavy, but 32s make a stronger showing. Bands were more evenly distributed among C cups, with a sleight preference towards 36s. In the small D/DD rack there were lots of 34s, with a decent number of 36s and fewer 32s. There were three racks of bralettes (some of which were long line), which were in mostly small sizes.

The $40 underwear selection also slightly favored small sizes. There were three racks of XS, and two racks each for the rest of the sizes. Near the panties were a few racks of $40 garter belts and $60 body suits. A small display table had $35 blindfolds and $50 thick leather belts.

The sale runs through Sunday, August 1st. Expect markdowns later in the week.

WHEN: 7/28 – 8/1; Tue-Sat (11-7)

WHERE: 151 Wooster Street
between Houston & Prince Streets
New York, NY 10012
212.965.8070

There were only a few shoppers perusing the amazing selection of off-the-runway designs at the Prabal Gurung sample sale yesterday morning. While there were only four racks, there should be plenty of exciting designs left if you get there quickly.

A black and white shirt dress is $260, was $1,750, while a multi-colored shift dress is $300, down from $2,850. There are two plain-colored jacquard dresses for $120. A patterned knit dress is $150, down from $1,195. A black and white sateen dress is $175, down from $2,895.

The most expensive dresses were $759; they were still in their original packaging and featured elaborate beading and drapery. The most common dress size was 6, followed by 4. There were also the occasional size 0, 2, and 8.

Tops ranged from $50 to $340, while sweaters were $120 to $235. Pants started at $70 and went up to $235; shorts were $75, and skirts ranged from $100 to $140. Expect to find smalls and mediums, with the occasional extra small or large.

There are four pairs of $150 shoes, which come in sizes 38 through 40. Leather belts with large bows are $30 and patterned T-Shirts are $50.

There is only one dressing room, but the showroom attendants were creating makeshift spacing for shoppers to try on clothes. Everything was in pristine condition, and there were very few repeat styles. The sale runs through Thursday, July 26th.

WHEN: 7/22 – 7/23; W-Th (8-7)

WHERE: 247 West 37th Street
between Seventh and Eighth Avenues
Suite 1501, 15th floor
New York, NY

By Greta Jenkins

Missed last month’s Theory and Helmut Lang sales? Get severely marked down pieces from both brands this week at their joint sale at Clothingline. While the showroom is dominated by Theory pieces in neutral, office-appropriate colors, the edgier Helmut Lang still has a strong, more colorful presence.

All tops, sweaters, and t-shirts are $50. This is a steal for the top-notch knits and unique tops, but, unfortunately, such finds are rare in a sea of plain T-shirts. Although the T-shirts are well-made, $50 still feels exorbitant for a plain white T.

Theory’s bottom’s section is dominated by classic dress pants, while Helmut Lang provides distressed skinny jeans and health-goth approved leggings. All pants are $50. Neither brand had a robust selects of $55 shorts or $50 skirts.

The $70 dresses were abundant in the Theory section, but they were mostly basic shifts. The Helmut Lang dress selection is even smaller, but the styles are more unique. I did not see any jumpsuits.

Theory’s $90 blazer selection is overflowing. I didn’t spot Theory outwear, but there were a few $155 Helmut Lang coats. There are also tons of $90 sweatshirts spread throughout the floor.

Unfortunately, these low prices come at a cost. Many of the pieces are damaged. They have helpfully marked most of the damaged goods, but even some unmarked pieces are damaged. Don’t let the damaged label deter you, though. Many of the damages are so minor that I had trouble finding them after close examination.

The showroom was not particularly busy; there was no line to get into, nor was there a line of the communal fitting room. The sale ends on Thursday, July 23th.

WHEN: 7/20 – 7/23, M-Th (11-7)

WHERE: 261 West 36th Street
2nd Floor
(Between 7th and 8th Avenue)
New York, NY
212-947-8748

By Greta Jenkins

This week’s roundup of Don’t Miss Sample Sales has got all your summer basics covered. You can start with the Jack Rogers sale, which promises big discounts on footwear, apparel and accessories. Follow up with a trip to MiH Jeans Sample Sale to incorporate a little denim into your wardrobe, then finish off with Deux Lux to find a matching handbag or wallet.

Jack Rogers Sample Sale

Summer’s still in full swing, which means you’ll get plenty of use out of anything you pick up at the upcoming Jack Rogers Sample Sale. The sale promises up to 60% off the designer’s footwear, including sandals, and up to 80% off apparel and accessories. The sale runs Tuesday through Wednesday at the Jack Rogers Showroom.

WHEN: 7/21 – 7/24; Tue-W (9-7), Th (9-6), F (9-4)
WHERE: Jack Rogers Showroom. 155 Fifth Avenue, 6th Floor, Between 21st and 22nd Streets, New York, NY.

Deux Lux Sample Sale

In need of a new handbag or wallet? Or maybe you just want to spruce up your current collection? Either way, head to the Deux Lux Sample Sale this week, which runs this Thursday and Friday. There you’ll find up to 70% off the brand’s handbags, wallets, clutches, weekenders, backpacks and more.

WHEN: 7/23 – 7/24; Th-F (11-5)
WHERE: 37 West 20th Street, Suite 1204, New York, NY.

MiH Jeans Sample Sale

Snag up to 75% off the retail price at the MiH Jeans Sample Sale this week. Available for purchase are women’s denim and apparel items. For those unfamiliar with the brand, think very “cool American” with classic silhouettes. The sale runs Thursday and Friday.

WHEN: 7/23 – 7/24; Th-F (11-4)
WHERE: 584 Broadway, between Houston and Prince Streets, Suite 609, New York 10012. 646-476-8640.

By Wendy Rose Gould

Image Credit: DeuxLux.com