Lauren Romano

Get ready, ladies, because the Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet sample sale is taking over 5^th Avenue, and judging by the size of the block-long line to get into the VIP sample sale event on December 9 before it even opened, it’s worth checking out.

Those ladies on line know what they’re doing. The sample sale contains fabulous pieces you can wear this holiday season and beyond, whether you’re looking for a little sparkle and shine or leather and lace, and all for up to 70% off retail prices. There’s a focus on dresses, especially peplum, and plenty of pants. You’ll also find coats, skirts, denim, pants, bags, scarves, hats, party dresses, and a variety of other items.

Whether you want to accentuate your curves in a body-hugging floor-length dress or show off your legs in a peplum piece, there’s something for everyone at the Alice + Olivia sample sale. Expect a good balance of solids and prints, and there’s no shortage of pieces that are going to turn heads when you walk in a room. Be forewarned that while the beaded and sequined gowns are stunning, they’re also heavy and could feel even more so after a couple of glasses of eggnog. Sizes for all the items are sectioned by 2/4, 6/8, and 10/12.

The ladies at the Alice + Olivia sample sale were carrying around huge armfuls of clothing, some of which were long gowns being dragged on the floor, so be prepared to bob and weave around like you’re doing an obstacle course. You will have to check your coat and bag when you enter, and there’s only 10 items allowed in the fitting room at a time.

WHEN: 12/10 – 12/15; Tue (9-8), W (9-7), Th (10-8), F (9-7), Sat (10-7), Sun (10-3)

WHERE: 260 Fifth Avenue
(Between 28th & 29th Streets)
New York, NY 10001
N / R/ 6 Trains to 28th Street

By Lauren Romano

With the holiday season upon us, festive markets are springing up all over NYC. It’s one of the best things about spending time in the city. You can go to a holiday market, pick up hot chocolate and cookies, then walk to the next shop and buy a scarf for your aunt. Bundle up and check out some of the best holiday markets in NYC.

Best Overall: The Union Square Holiday Market

Each year, over 1 million visitors attend The Union Square Holiday Market, and it’s no surprise considering how much they have to offer. From jewelry to food and art to kid’s toys, there’s something for everyone on your list, and the best part is that you’re helping to support local artisans. It’s where you go when you want a unique gift that you just can’t find anywhere else. The market runs until December 24 – perfect for all those last, last minute shoppers – and is open on weekdays from 11am to 8pm, Saturdays from 10am to 8pm, and on Sundays from 11am to 7pm.

Best for Arts and Crafts Lovers: The Degenerate Craft Fair

Started in 2009, the Degenerate Craft Fair features fabulous items by more than 50 artists. What makes this fair even more incredible is that the majority of the items cost $50 or less. Who doesn’t love a good deal? The Degenerate Craft Fair is two days only – December 14 and 15 – so make sure you check them out before they’re gone.

Best for Foodies: The Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Just short of the entrance to Central Park sits The Columbus Circle Holiday Market, a great collection of shops where you can find everything from gourmet chocolates and jewelry to pottery and accessories. You’re undoubtedly going to work up an appetite walking around this large market, so make sure to stop off and get some food at one of the many food areas including Red Thai Basil, Macaron Parlour, Wafels & Dinges, and La Sonrisa Empanadas amongst many others. The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is open until December 24, and runs Monday through Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and on Sundays from 10am to 7pm.

Best Outdoor Experience: The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

A favorite amongst shoppers, The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park are beloved not only for the shopping experience, but because the ice skating rink is right there and provides easy access to people watching, gliding gracefully across the ice, or falling on your derriere depending on how skilled you are. There’s plenty of shops to stop at and copious amounts of hot chocolate to consume, so get on it! The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park are running until January 5, and are open Monday through Friday from 11am to 8pm, Saturday from 10am to 9pm, and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

By Lauren Romano

Union Square Holiday Market photo credit: Erin Kestenbaum

In order to attend the Lafayette 148 warehouse sale, you’ll need patience, a lot of empty closet space waiting to be filled, and if possible, a full set of body armor.

With two floors filled with Lafayette 148 ready-to-wear, this sale is a shopper’s dream, but the nightmare of anyone who requires a lot of personal space. Immediately from when you stand on line, women are right on top of you just to be inches closer to getting in the door. You’re led into the building 10 at a time where you wait along the wall. You’re then led in 20 at a time into an elevator and brought either to the women’s section on the second floor, or to the petite’s and plus size section on the fifth floor. You can’t go from one floor to the other so you have to choose only one.

When you get to the floor, you’re handed a large shopping bag and check your coat, and then the  madness begins. Women are on a mission, and they have excellent reflexes when they’re reaching for a piece of clothing they believe someone else might also want. Be careful if you’re short like I am; tall women with huge shopping bags rushing through racks of clothing will require you to duck often.

With numerous round racks at the center and several flat racks lining the outer walls, it’s a madhouse and tight quarters. On the women’s floor, there’s small racks of accessories along the right wall, which is also shared by a long rack of pants. Round racks of jackets, bottoms, and tops are on round racks in the center of the floor, dresses and more shirts are along the back windows, and short-sleeve shirts and tanks are along the left wall.

Despite the large section, the clothing at the Lafayette 148 warehouse sale is surprisingly organized, and employees are on the floor making sure everything stays that way. Clothing is not only organized by style and type, but by color as well. There’s so much to choose from it’s hard to know which way to turn. The tops largely outnumber any other type of clothing, and you can find them in every color possible. There’s an excellent assortment of day-to-night wear, dressy tops, and casual wear. Between the shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, and tops, there’s a huge selection of solid color pieces with a good handful of prints mixed in. There’s not much leather, but what they do have is fabulous and worth adding to your collection.

With a huge selection of clothing at 75% off, Lafayette 148 has made it easy to for everyone to find just what they’re looking for. The wait to get in and battling the crowds is worth the experience of digging through the racks and coming out with an armful of clothing that otherwise would have cost  a fortune. So what are you waiting for?

WHEN: 11/14 – 11/15; Th (9-7), F (9-6)

WHERE: 148 Lafayette Street
(between Howard and Grand Streets)
New York, NY 10013
646.922.1799

By Lauren Romano

Rebecca Minkoff has a knack for allowing girly girls to add a little edge to their wardrobe with her ready-to-wear luxury designs ranging from studded handbags to sweet and sassy skirts.

The Rebecca Minkoff sample sale kicked off today with hundreds of people hoping to get their hands on goods up to 75% off. While you’re only going to see one wall of apparel at the sample sale, there’s more than enough handbags to choose from, and let’s be honest, there’s always a reason to get another handbag regardless of how many you already have at home.

Despite only having a single wall of apparel, the section consists of a multi-colored hodgepodge of skirts, outerwear, dresses, leather, shorts, pants, shirts, and of course the Becky Jacket. T-shirts and denim weren’t in yet, but they will be. The styles are flirty and feminine with a little rock ‘n’ roll thrown in; a perfect way to go from day-to-night. A small section in the back is devoted just to shoes with a table next to it for men’s bags. Check out the samples table where everything is $100 each, but do a damage check as some pieces have small nicks or tears.

The pièce de résistance of the Rebecca Minkoff sample sale is the huge collection of handbags. There’s totes, minaudieres, clutches, diaper bags, satchels, large pouches, and small pouches in every color and style you can imagine. You can find a bag to complement every outfit in your closet, then still want to buy more just because you can, and who can blame you? The Jayden bags were being snatched up by fashion-hungry ladies, but there’s still more than enough to choose from.

With all of the items at the sample sale ranging from $25 to $300, it’s time to shed those winter blues with some colorful Rebecca Minkoff pieces.

WHEN: 11/11 – 11/16; Mon (noon-9), Tue-F (10-8), Sat (10-3)

WHERE: 260 Fifth Avenue
between 28th and 29th Streets
New York, NY 10001

By Lauren Romano