Emily "The Eldridge" Brill may not be feeling the effects of the recession yet, but there are plenty of people out there that are. Thankfully, we live in a city that makes it possible to score a DVF dress for the price of a Banana Republic one. Ah the sample sale. As long as you're willing to stand in line for a couple of hours, and spend even more time fighting with other shoppers only to stand in line again to pay, they are made for you baby! Here's a great list of the big sales going on now:
Issey Miyake Warehouse Sale (80% off Retail) 145 west 18th street Monday the 15th through Tuesday the 16th 212-226-1334 ext 231
Stella McCartney Store Sale (40% off Fall/Winter items) Nov 28 - Jan 31; Mon-Sat (11am-7pm), Sun (12:30pm-6pm) 429 W 14th St., b/t 9th and 10th Ave 212-255-1556
Balenciaga Store Sale (40% off, will be 60% soon) Now until ?? Mon-Sat (11am-7pm), Sun (12am-5pm) 542 W 22nd St., near Tenth Ave 212-206-0872
Nanette Lepore Store & Sample Sale Sample Sale is December 11-12 225 w. 35th St., 4th floor (9am - 7 p.m). 212-764-8810 The Nanette Lepore boutique is also having a sale. Now thru the Holidays. 50% off fall merchandise. 423 Broome St., b/t Crosby and Lafayette 212.219.8265
Blue & Cream (30% off Coats, dresses, cashmere, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Elizabeth and James, Zac Posen, & etc.) Now - Holidays Mon-Fri (11am - 8pm ); Sat (11am - 9pm); Sun (11am - 8pm) 1 E. First St @ Bowery St 212-533-3088
Lauren Merkin Sample Sale (Up to 70% off handbags, clutches, &c.) Dec 9-11 (11am -7pm) 231 W 29th St., b/t 7th & 8th Ave.; Suite 201 212-239-2459
Accents By Sophia (Up to 75% off Jewelry: sterling silver, marcasite, semi-precious stones, cultured pearls; necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pins) Dec 10-23; Mon-Fri (10-6:00), Fr (10 -7), Sat-Sun (closed) 15 W 36th St.,b/t 5th & 6th Aves.; 10th flr. 212-594-5077
Catherine Malandrino Sample Sale (Up to 60% off; coats, sweaters, blouses, dresses, & etc.) December 10-12; Wed (8am - 8pm) , Th-Fr (10am - 8pm) 145 West 18th St 212-388-0339
Generra (50% and more off men’s and women’s Fall) Dec 10-19; (10am -7pm) 275 W 39th St., b/t 7th & 8th Ave., 5th floor 212-768-2868
Tracy Reese & plenty by Tracy Reese Sample Sale (Clothing, shoes and home items are 50 % off) Until Dec 11th Tues.–Wed. (8am–7pm ), Thurs. (8am - 2pm) 250 W. 39th St., nr. Eighth Ave. 212-719-0001
Mackage Sample Sale (Outerwear for men and women up to 50 % off) Dec 10 - 12 (noon–7:30pm)275 W. 39th St., nr. Eighth Ave., 7th fl. 212-391-5287
Alexander Wang Sample Sale (Up to 75% off dresses, jackets, leather, &c.) Dec 11-13; Th (3pm-7pm), Fr (10am-7pm) Sat (10am-7pm) 386 Broadway b/t Walker and White Street 212-532-3103
Showroom Seven Moving Sale Women’s: Charlotte Ronson, Erickson Beamon, Orla Kiely, Issa, &c.) Dec 8-19, (10am -7pm ) 263 11th Ave., b/t 27th and 28th Street; 3rd floor 212-643-4810
Édité Showroom (Dresses and handbags from Caroline Hedaya and Tagua start at 50 bucks.) Dec. 8-10. Mon.-Wed., (10 a.m.-7 p.m) 134 W. 29th St., b/t Sixth & Seventh Aves; Studio 709.
Gerard Yosca (50-70% off jewelry) Dec 11-12; Thurs (10am-6pm), Fri (10am-3pm) 39 W 38th St., near 5th Ave; 7th floor 212-302-4349 **Cash Only
Carolina Herrera Sample Sale (Women’s Clothing & Bridal gowns, dresses, cardigans, & etc.) Dec 18-20 (9am-6:30pm) 21 (9am -5pm) 317 West 33rd St., b/n 8th & 9th Ave. 718-747-1656
Proenza Schouler Sample Sale (Tops, bottoms, dresses, and shoes slashed 50% and more) Dec. 11 - 12, (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) 120 Walker St., b/t Centre & Baxter St., 6th flr.
Diane vonFurstenberg Sample Sale (Iconic dresses, coats, gowns, sweaters, and other stuff at up to 75% off.) Dec. 9-13. Tues., (9 a.m.- 6:30 p.m).; Wed., (9 a.m.- 8 p.m.); Thurs., (9 a.m.-7 p.m).; Fri., (9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.); Sat.,(9 a.m.-3 p.m.) 260 Fifth Ave., b/t 28th & 29th St. 212-725-5400
Fresh Ink Sample Sale (Denim for men and women up to 80 % off) Until Dec 13. Mon - Fri (10am - 6pm); Sat (10am -6pm) 264 W. 40th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Ave.; 3rd flr. 212-869-6300
Halston Sample Sale (Ready-to-wear and accessories are up to 75 % off) Dec 12 - 14 Fri. (9am –7pm); Sat. (10am –6pm); Sun. (11am –5pm) 96 Spring St., nr. Broadway 212-282-1200
Comptoir des Cotonniers Store Sale (Current collection 30 - 50% off) Dec 12 - 21 Mon.–Sat. (11am – 8pm), Sun. (noon–6pm) 155 Spring St., nr. Wooster St. 212-274-0830
Lyn Devon Sample Sale (Fall collection is 50 to 80 % off) Dec 12 - 14 Fri.–Sun. (10am – 5pm) 525 Broadway, nr. Spring St., Ste. 202
LeSportsac Sample Sale (400 styles from current and past collections for 60 to 80 % off) Until Dec 10th (8am – 7pm) The Metropolitan Pavilion; 123 W. 18th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 4 fl.
Eugenia Kim Store Sale (Headbands, hats, and belts for women and men are 50 to 70 % off) Dec 9 - 12 (10am - 7pm) 347 W. 36th St., nr. Ninth Ave., Ste. 502 212- 674-1345
Nest Store Sale (Collections for kids and moms are up to 75 % off) Dec 9 - 10 Tues. (11am–7pm), Wed. (9am–4pm). 325 W. 38th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; Ste. 302 **Cash only
[Photo via The Fashionable Matilda's Diary]