Sample Sales Review

There is a bag check which isn’t strictly enforced and  though there was no price list there were many reasonably priced items at the Christopher Fischer Sample Sale. As you walk in right before you is an abundance of sweaters and cardis. Due to the nature of the product most items are folded on the tables in foot high piles. The sweaters and cardis are so many and so varied that there was not a definite pile of any specific style or color. Its one of those sales where you really have to dig in and search for what you want.

The scarves, gloves and hats on the other hand were strategically displayed and easy to find and sort through. Most gloves (cashmere/wool) were priced between $25 – $55. Cashmere, wool or silk scarves were between $35 – $45. Various hats were priced between $35 – $70.

There were a few racks with various cashmere, linen and cotton dresses priced from $60 – $195 as well as a handful of skirts.

On my way out I spied a table with tank tops and tshirts for only $10.

If you’re in the market for a few cashmere pieces, stopping by this sale is a must.

WHEN: 5/16 – 5/19; Th-Sun (10-7)

WHERE: 80 Wooster Street
between Spring & Broome St
SoHo, NYC

By Jessica Florent

First, be prepared to wait at least 2 hrs to get in at the Jil Sander Sample Sale. I waited 3. With the line curving past the end of the block, about 30 people are allowed in every hour and shoppers have 60 minutes to shop. Coat and bag check in effect. At the 2hr mark of being on the line a Cantonese celebrity emerged from 5 Crosby (I asked when some Asian ladies ahead of me began staring across the street and gesturing towards the guy)

There were a selection of shoes; boots, heels, flats, etc, most averaging just $35. However, not many sizes left. There were also a few hand handbags for the taking.

I was intrigued by the collection of skirts (mainly silk) in pretty colors and patterns/prints. There were also a number of silk dresses in similar colors as the skirts. It is important to note that this sale featured lots of small sizes.

There were quite a few long sleeve button down shirts as well as winter coats. There was a large table with sweaters and cardigans of different discount rates.

Overall there was a nice mix of color, black and neutrals. Most items are 80-85% off, with a few items being 90% off. This sale also features men’s items so grab your significant other and make it a his and hers shopping spree,  if you’re up for the wait.

WHEN: 4/16 – 4/19; Tue-F (10-6)

WHERE: 8 Crosby Street
4th Floor
between Howard & Grand Streets

By Jessica Florent

OMG at the risk of sounding like a kid in a candy store, I must try to curb my enthusiasm. First, I got a gorgeous pale pink perforated leather top, one of only a handful. And since I went to report my findings to you fashionistas out there and not necessarily to buy, I now find myself having to make another trip to the Badgley Mischka sample sale to scoop up as much as I can.

So I got there at 11:30 am on the first day of the sale and there was thankfully no line. Same friendly staff from the DKNY sale, a familiar face is always nice. Bags and coat check still in effect.

I’ll start with the skirts; totally fab. If you’re like me and have been searching for skirts which hit the knees, at the very least, then you’ve picked the right sale. There were midi pencil skirts in various colors; grey, beige, pink, orange, etc. Also available were bodycon skirts that I will most definitely pick up in my size and these came in beige and also in black.

The dresses were a sight for fashion loving eyes, with every style imaginable, in a variety of textures and fabrics. Short dresses for hot summer days and nights. Long gowns for your next gala, graduation, wedding, or red carpet appearance. If you need a dress anytime soon…or not, this is the place to get it. The sizes run up to 14 in the gowns and up to 12 in the shorter dresses. The truth is I think this sale is all about the abundance of dresses. So many options, for every possible occasion.

There was also a selection of pretty sleeveless tops and a smaller selection of long sleeve tops. A few jackets dotted the racks, such as a long sleeve white jacket with jewels encrusted to the front. Anyone in the market for a spring leather jacket may get lucky with the green bomber jacket I spied. The leather pieces available stood out because they were so few, yet at great prices.

And lest I forget the Judith Leiber clutches and bags. They’re the right accessory to compliment any dress that you pick . These chic clutches come in a variety of styles and colors (nothing bright). My favorite was the white snakeskin print clutch.

Also, note that all sales are final. Then again at these prices any thing which doesn’t fit (if you have an aversion to the open dressing room available) would make a great gift. I guarantee it’ll be appreciated.

WHEN: 4/9 – 4/14; Tue-Sat (10-7), Sun (10-3)

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

By Jessica Florent

Although the Roger Vivier Sample Sale kicked off this morning at 10AM (9AM for VIP shoppers), the line accumulated down the entire stretch of 33rd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, and wrapped around the corner to collect record breaking count of shoppers by lunchtime.

According to security, each corralled section of shoppers equated an estimated one hour wait. With some simple math, by 12:30PM shoppers at the end of the line faced 5 hours before them. Wow! Lucky for waiting shoppers, they were on the sun soaked side of the street, allowing them to work on their tan as they dreamed of discounted designer shoes. One sunburned shopper in particular had about a two hour wait in front of her and she had been in line since 8:15AM!

Known for being the originator of the stiletto heel, Roger Vivier is noted for his classic designs for some of the world’s most beloved stars, including Ava Gardner and the Beatles. But even so, is that fact worth spending half your day outside?

I was lucky enough to speak to a few shoppers who were among the first in line this morning, before the sun was even up. A gaggle of girls toted at least one bag each, some with two or three, and spoke highly of the sale. They mentioned that there was a great selection of flats for only $250, and all prices were 50% off their retail counterpart. They mentioned further that on average, stilettos were $350, with embellished shoes much higher.

The Roger Vivier Sample Sale is only in its 3rd year, and in the past, stock was slim after the first few days. Given today’s outrageous crowd, stock is not expected to last through the sale’s end on Tuesday.

For those hoping to peek inside the Roger Vivier Sample Sale, your best bet is to wait until midday tomorrow as I’m sure come 9AM when the doors open, shoppers in line from today will still be left over. Is it worth the wait? You tell us! Share your inside scoop within our comments section.

WHEN: 4/5 – 4/9; F (10-7), Sat-Mon (9-6:30), Tues (9-5)

WHERE: Soiffer Haskin
317 West 33rd Street
(Just west of 8th Avenue)
New York
(718) 747-1656, M-F (9-6)

By Caitlin Colford