New York

It’s nearly impossible to try to internet-stalk any business these days without stumbling across an Amazon-related article. Is that a reflection of Amazon’s efficient PR office? Or of their identity as a big bad wolf that terrifies the retail industry? We don’t know. But there’s no doubt that Amazon has recently made inroads into luxury, beauty, and fashion with 3-D body modeling technology and one-hour-catwalk-to-doorstep-deliveries like a slow bad news drip for competition. And those inroads are just the start. Drip, drip, drip; Amazon’s territory is growing exponentially. Is it possible that sample sales are part of that newly-conquered territory? Is Amazon really getting the eyes (and wallets) of our sample sale lovers?

You, as readers and sample sale aficionados, should be able to answer that question for us. Time for a multiple-choice pop quiz! If you used to love sample sales, but didn’t buy anything at a sample sale in 2017, was it because:

1. You couldn’t make it to any sample sale.
2. You were not impressed with the selection of items.
3. Prices were high; the discounts were not big enough for a sample sale.
4. Your tastes changed and you now prefer retail sales to sample sales.
5. You buy everything on Amazon, and can’t be bothered with sample sales

OK, so it’s not much of a pop quiz if there are no right answers… but if you are genuinely curious, feel free to see the answers of the poll.

For those of you readers who are still sample-sale-devotees, here’s another multiple-choice pop quiz. This week, will you head over to the:

1. Hugo Boss Sample Sale – details here
2. Milly Sample Sale – details here

For this quiz, you can’t go wrong with any answer. Although the Hugo Boss sample sale promises to be a better sale for men than women we still recommend it.  The German luxury company means business with their clothes and the event organized at Soiffer Haskin. No photos, no children, no strollers rules apply. Sorry.

The other sample sale is coming from Milly, the beloved New York based advanced contemporary brand celebrating its 17^th year, and promises to have samples from the Fall/Winter collection: tops, skirts, pants, dresses, jumpsuits, outerwear, special occasion dresses, and more.

Save a bundle and bundle up!

We salute you; you survived New York Fashion Week. Don’t worry—you didn’t have to play an active role in it in order to be considered a “survivor.” Simply navigating the countless emails you received (The Stylish City was “blessed” with thousands this year) that recommend NYFW essentials you “will be lost without” during the marathon fashion show… Like Lubriderm, apparently. Um, really? However, whether or not you were caught clapping for Zac Posen’s capsule collection with dry (gasp, Lubriderm-less) hands, the future of the show doesn’t look bright. Even a quick Google search results in multiple articles describing the doom and gloom of NYFW’s future; The Exodus from New York and Has Backstage Beauty Lost Its Gloss? are particularly insightful. Nonetheless, we’re hoping it just ain’t so.

But if NYFW is temporarily on the back-burner, that is all the more reason to press forward. Fashion-forward. Take advantage of these post-NYFW opportunities to reinforce a stitch or two in the New York fashion scene. You can start by going where TSC goes. Last week, we went to the La Perla sample sale and shared with you what pajamas we wear when we write articles. (Spoiler alert: not La Perla.)

This week, we’re heading to the Charlotte Olympia sample sale, of course. Putting your best foot forward becomes impossible when both feet are Charlotte-Olympia-clad; with her signature candy-crisp color and precise craftsmanship, both feet will be the best one.

Here’s another opportunity if you’re a bride-to-be… or if you’re not, I guess. Hey, everyone has the right to invest in a gorgeous wedding gown—no spouse necessary. Either way, saying yes to the dress has never been easier than at the Randi Rahm sample sale.

And the event to make next week the trifecta of happenings? It’s the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which lasts through October 15th.  While not strictly fashion-related, it is an opportunity to celebrate hispanic contributions to the fashion world (thank you, Oscar de la Renta and Manolo Blahnik), as well as TSC’s strong Hispanic heritage.

NYFW aside, the fashion passion is always alive here at TSC. So don’t be selfish, feed this fire by letting us know if there’s something we must share. Cheers!

If you have been following us for a while, you might have suspected we’re obsessed with sample sales, style and fashion. And while we won’t deny this, in the wake of the recent hurricanes we feel it’s time to talk about ways to give back.

What follows is a quick and easy list of organizations we have reviewed, who have feet on the ground in southern Florida and could use our help.

Direct Relief

Their mission is to improve the health and lives affected by poverty and emergency. Their website clearly shows where the aid goes.

Florida Disaster Fund

State of Florida’s official private fund was established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster.

Food for the Poor

Food for the Poor helps communities in the path of Hurricane Irma to rebuild and heal. Over 95% of your donation goes directly into food for those who need it most.

Hope South Florida

Hope South Florida is a 501c3 Christian-based non-profit that provides crisis and re-housing programs in the wake of Irma.

Giving Children Hope

Giving Children Hope works closely with their partners to stage and deliver immediate emergency response resources for Irma-impacted areas in Florida and the Caribbean.

The Humane Society

Humans aren’t the only creatures affected by Hurricane Irma. Thousands of pets are being displaced by Irma and The Humane Society provides food and shelter.

In this case, and every time you are ready to donate for a worthy cause, make sure that the organization is trustworthy. We use the Charity Navigator  and their objective ratings to find charities we can trust and support. Furthermore, we make sure the charity is directly involved in the cause we want to support, in this case the victims of hurricane Irma.

If a sample sale in fabulous LA is usually the place to get your celebrity inspired fashionista look,this week is a little different; you can get your college wardrobe ready with lots of savings, zero regrets.

What are the college wardrobe essentials? t-shirts, jeans and a day-to-night outfit. So, it happens that you can get them all for a song this weekend. Lucky LA college girls and boys!

Three Dots in Garden Grove gives you just one day on Friday to shop a back to school sample sale. Wholesale prices (yes, we did say wholesale) will be slashed to make your back to school mornings just a little easier. In case you live under a rock, and didn’t know, Three Dots is the company with a mission to take t-shirts to the next level with softer fabrics, superior comfort, and innovative fits.

When it comes to jeans, you can’t go wrong with Joe’s Jeans, a personal favorite here at TSC. A warehouse sale from Joe’s Jeans in Commerce on Saturday will have a mix of jeans, jackets and tees for both men and women at up to 90% off

Should you need to bring some genuine California carefree glamour toan appropriate day-to-night look, Trina Turk slashes prices this weekend to ready-to-wear, dresses, active wear, swim, jewelry, footwear and men’s ready-to-wear at their Alhambra warehouse sale. In case you need more convincing, prices will start at just $10

So, we’ve got you covered for college. Kind of, your Mom and Dad still have to pay your tuition.