Sample Sale

If historical precedence stands, the Barney’s Warehouse Sale will begin its run of markdowns in just about a month. While we’ve made some killer finds at the BWS in the past (hello, $18 Diane Von Furstenberg skirt!), in recent years, it’s turned into a nightmare: long lines at even the most off of hours, selections wiped out by the last week, and, frankly, markdowns that just aren’t what they used to be. So that’s the bad news. Here’s the good news: with all the hype about the BWS, everyone’s sleeping on the regular Barneys Co-Op Summer Sale – and the bargains there are sensational.

We dropped into the Chelsea Co-Op yesterday. Where the aisles will soon be crowded with bargain-hunters in various states of undress, yesterday, they were almost empty. The sale selection isn’t vast – most of the store is still full price – but it’s better than you might expect. Markdowns go as low as 75% off and, while they don’t hit the bargain basement prices of the last day of the BWS, they’re comparable to what you’d find during the first week. We spotted a beyond-the-pale hot black lace with nude underlay Rag and Bone minidress for $199 from an original price of $495. Feeling a bit more demure? Pick up a perfectly ladylike true blue dress by Beyond Vintage for Barneys for just $139 (quite the savings from the original $340).

The summer sale even has BWS’ off-season finds covered – witness a grey fleece James Pearse dress ($139 from $225). An oatmeal colored moto cardi with shredded sleeves by Rodarte for Barneys ($158 from $398) will take you chicly into fall, as would an always-classic tres French super-thin striped sweater by Ever ($78 from $128). In the meantime, top your shorts with a lace-embellished tank by Gemma for Barneys ($69 from $128), sweet in cream or shocking in pink. The find of the sale, however, has got to be a macrame-esque Rag and Bone mini, a total statement piece at just $288 from $725. Sure, prices might be a skosh lower at the BWS, but it’s not a guarantee. What is a guarantee: if you wait for the big sale, you’ll be waiting in some big lines. Why not just go now?

WHEN: Ongoing, M-F (10-8), Sat (10-7), Sun (11-6)

WHERE: 660 Madison Avenue
(212.826.8900)

By Leila Cohan-Miccio 

Hollywould Sample & Stock Sale, 198 Elizabeth Street

*Online August 19-20

*In-Store August 21-24, 11:30-7

This adorable little shop, tucked away on Elizabeth street is filled with just enough pieces of Holly’s frilly, girly, but still grown-up, line.

The sale consisted of summer samples and stock all marked down quite impressively.

Bright summer flats and mules were down to $85- $120 (from $345 and up!). Dresses were $90- 295 (from $495-$995!). But the most exciting news of all is that the prices are STILL being marked down! Starting next week, they will continue to drop up to 85% of their original retail price.

I’m not sure if I could rock all of the pineapple-themed frocks and accessories (a little too Carmen Miranda for me).

But I absolutely adored the sweet sun dresses and funky rafia adorned sandals.

This is the perfect opportunity to stock up on last minute summer gear (you know you are SO over everything in your closet right now- at least I am anyway), and to pick up some tres chic pieces for your tropical getaway this fall (St. Tropez? Fiji? Disney World?) when you’ll need something fabulous and easy, breezy to ruck amuck in. There were even some things that could definitely be transitional- wear bare now, or with tights and a cardigan later.

My shopping bag is empty for now, but I will definitely score some once the sale hits it peak. Make sure to check out the websale at hollywould.com before you head all the way down to Nolita.

But if you do head down, don’t forget to stop at Pinkberry around the corner! Yum!