Where did On the Sly go?!?
Sorry - I know - On the Sly completely disappeared off the face of this planet without warning or explanation!
When I started this blog a year ago, it was out of frustration. Other blogs that cover sample sales would announce them way too far in advance for me to remember, they would never link to reviews of past sales for tips on what to expect, and sale reviews wouldn’t give addresses and times. I also wanted to create a one-stop resource for girls who don’t work in fashion and are unfamiliar with sample sales, and for those who don’t have a lot of time on their hands to slog through endless unrelated blog posts. It was super useful to me to have a short list of the who, what, where and when of sample sales right at my fingertips - I’m all about efficiency!
I no longer have the time to keep up On the Sly, and to be honest, I’ve become slightly disgusted by some of the NYC sample sale scene. I’ve seen massive hoarders and lurkers (shoutout to Wreak Havok NY, a hilarious new blog that documents shopping hype around the city), women on their worst behavior, physical fights over handbags, and way too much craziness for me to handle. Don’t get me wrong - there are still some sample sales out there that are quiet, civil events where you can score great deals - but come on, ladies, can we have some dignity?
Mizhattan and Sample Sally are now my #1 resource for sample sale reviews. To keep updated, always sign up for email lists when you’re at a sale, follow your fav designers on Twitter, and get on the lists for Clothingline and 260 5th Ave. (Protip: to prevent your inbox from getting clogged, Gmail filters are your best friend!)
I’m still tweeting a bit about sample sales, shopping, and life in the city - to keep in touch, follow me @ManhattanMilly!
Happy shopping!
Your sample sale agenda for the week of December 12
Starting Monday:
Haute Hippie: Up to 70% off retail prices. At the last sale, prices were as follows: Skirts $50, dresses $65, pants $70, blouses $60, tees $25, sweaters $80-125, accessories $50. Embellished items were priced at $65 for skirts and jackets, $100 for dresses, and $40 for blouses. Stock items were only 30-40% off. Monday, Dec 12 through Friday, Dec 16, 9-6pm. 336 W 37th St (bet 8th and 9th Ave) suite 460.
Starting Tuesday:
Diane von Furstenberg: Womenswear is up to 75% off. This is one of the most popular events on the sample sale circuit so be prepared for chaos! At the summer sale, Mizhattan found $50 samples, $275 cocktail dresses, $150 wrap dresses, $80 blouses/skirts, as well as current season clutches and bags for $175 and $225. Tuesday, Dec 13 through Saturday, Dec 17. Tues 9-6:30pm, Wedn 10-8pm, Thurs 10-7pm, Fri 9-5pm, Sat 10-3pm. 260 5th Ave (bet 28th and 29th St).
James Jeans: Denim leggings and flares are $80, bootleg and straight leg styles are $80, and colored denim is $90. In the past, there has also been $50 sample denim. Tuesday, Dec 13 through Thursday, Dec 15. Tues 9-7:30pm, Wedn 10-5:30pm, Thurs 9-7:30pm. 500 Greenwich St (bet Spring and Canal), Suite 202.
Lee Angel: Jewelry up to 70% off. There is typically a room filled with rummage bins on tables - you’ll find $5 jewelry from from J. Crew, Ann Taylor, and Banana Republic - Lee Angel is a supplier for mainstream brands - plus necklaces, bracelets, and rings from $10-$40 and more complex pieces for $60-100. Tuesday, Dec 13 through Friday, Dec 16. Tues 5-8pm, Wedn-Thurs 11-7pm, Fri 10-5pm. 524 Broadway (on the SE corner of Spring St), 6th Fl.
Jane Post: Simple and elegant fall and spring outerwear (sold at Saks) is 50-80% off. Retail prices are under $600. Tuesday, Dec 13 and Wednesday, Dec 14. Tues 10-6pm, Wedn 10-7pm. 240 W. 37th St (bet 7th and 8th Ave) 6th fl.
Eugenia Kim: Hats and hair accessories up to 70% off. At the last sale, The Jet Shopper (with photos!) found $10 and $20 bins plus a wide variety of hats for $125. Tuesday, Dec 13 through Saturday, Dec 17. Tues 10-8pm, Wedn-Fri 10-7pm, Sat 11-6pm. 347 W 36th St (bet 8th & 9th Ave), Suite 501.
Starting Wednesday:
Gar-De: 60-90% off brands like 80%20, Hyden Yoo, Totem jewelry, and Contego Eyewear, plus the in-house line. Gar-de leather jackets are $295, wool coats are $195, dresses are $110 and sweaters are $85. Wednesday, Dec 14 through Saturday, Dec 17. Wedn-Fri 10-7pm, Sat 12-3pm. 135 W 36th St (bet Broadway and 7th Ave) 14th fl.
Starting Thursday:
Roger Vivier: Luxury footwear and handbags. Wednesday, Dec 14 through Sunday, Dec 18. Wedn 10-7pm, Thurs-Sat 9-6:30pm, Sun 9-5pm. Soiffer Haskin, 317 W. 33rd St (bet 8th and 9th Ave).
Rachel Comey: Women’s and mens’s clothing, shoes, and accessories are up to 60% off. At the summer sale, Racked found current season shoes for $180-220, past season styles for $125 (3 for $300!) and a bin of $60 samples in size 10. Thursday, Dec 15, 5-9pm and Friday, Dec 16, 10-6pm. 268 Mulberry St., (bet Houston and Prince).
Helmut Lang and Theysken’s Theory: At the last sale, Theysken’s shoes were $149, flats $89, bags $179, dresses $129 and $229, and tops $59 (full list here). For Helmut Lang, there were $49 accessories, $179 bags, $199 blazers, $99 casual dresses, $159 dresses, $249 leather, and more. Thursday, Dec 15 through Sunday, Dec 18. Thurs 12-8pm, Fri 8-8pm, Sat-Sun 10-6pm. 139 Fifth Ave. (bet 20th and 21st St) 2nd fl.
Carlos Falchi: Up to 70% off high-end exotic and leather bags and accessories. Thursday, Dec 15 and Friday, Dec 16, 9-4pm. 1450 Broadway (bet 40th and 41st St) suite 802.
Suiteshop Showroom: Up to 80% off contemporary lines like Pencey, Pencey Standard, For Love & Lemons, Boulee, Sauce, and more. Thursday, Dec 15 through Saturday, Dec 17. Thurs-Fri 10-7pm, Sat 1-4pm. 110 Greene Street (bet Prince and Spring St) #410.
Starting Friday:
Suno: 60-90% off on Suno’s Resort 2011 and S/S 2011 collections. If you’re not familiar with Suno, it’s an African-influenced line with lots of bold prints - definitely worth checking out! At their last sale, most items were $150-300 but there is also a box of $20 jersey dresses, $100 bathing suits, and cloth necklaces and belts from $10-30. Friday, Dec 16 through Sunday, Dec 18. Fri-Sat 11-7pm, Sun 12-6pm. 76 Wooster St (bet Spring and Broome).
Tucker by Gaby Basora: Silk dresses, blouses, and tanks are $50 to $250. At a past sale, Sample Sally found boxes of $25 samples plus stock for $140-300. Typically, current season stock is 40% off and discounts for past seasons are higher. Friday, Dec 16 through Sunday, Dec 18. Fri 9-7pm, Sat 11-7pm, Sun 12-6pm. 355 W. Broadway, (just south of Broome St.)
Happy Shopping!
Your weekend shopping agenda
Opening Ceremony: Check out photos and prices from Racked. There are lots of odd leftovers from Rodarte for Opening Ceremony, 8-9 racks of womenswear in various sizes, some Proenza and Robert Cleregie shoes, $40 Acne jeans, and a lot of other random finds. Budget a lot of time to sift through the selection, and wait in their very long line (it was an hour on Friday). Friday, Dec 9 through Sunday, Dec 11. Fri-Sat 11-8pm, Sun 11-7pm. 76 Wooster St (bet Spring and Broome). Cash only for under $100.
Made Her Think: Racked found man-repelling worthy jewelry starting at $5-10 for rings and necklaces. Current collection pieces are going for wholesale prices ($126 Vendetta necklace, $300 Hampshire coin necklace) and there are pieces for $20/$30/$50+. Added bonus: they’ll be serving cookies! Ends Saturday, Dec 10, 11-7pm. 195 Chrystie St (bet Stanton and Rivington).
Matt Bernson: As of Friday, there were still boxes full of sandals for $40, $60 boots, and $100 tall shearling boots, but flats were in short supply. Check out the current season shoes on their website to get an idea of what will be at the sale - I saw most styles there. The charming Mr. Bernson was also there himself on Friday so you may get to meet the designer! Ends Saturday, Dec 10, 11-6pm. 20 Harrison St (bet Hudson and Greenwich St). Cash only
Joie, Current/Elliott and Equipment: Never Pay Retail found $50 Equipment tops (most XS and S), but silk tops were in short supply and it’s unknown if they will be restocking. Other highlights of the sale include $35 tops/dresses from Joie, mostly size S, and $120 fur and leather pieces. There is a fitting room (15 item limit) and 260 5th typically does markdowns at the end of their sales. See more photos from Racked! Ends Saturday, Dec 10, 10-4pm. 260 Fifth Ave (bet 28th and 29th St).
Lauren Merkin: Never Pay Retail found all bargain bins below $50 cleaned out. There were green lambskin studded Dianas for $50, and most overstock bags were $95+. You’ll also find wallets, passport holders, and other accessories for under $50. Ends Saturday, Dec 10, Sat 11-4pm. 231 W 29th St (bet 7th and 8th Ave), Suite 201.
Happy shopping!
Thursday Shopping Updates
Yigal Azrouel: The Jet Shopper reviewed the preview and has some photos and full price lists. Most notable are the prices for samples: dresses $125, skirts $50, pants $65, blouses $75, leather jackets $200. FW11 prices include $150 pants/skirts, $175 knits, $250 jackets, $225/$300 daytime/evening dresses, and $500 leather. Wednesday, Dec 7 through Friday, Dec 9, 10-7pm. 225 W. 39th St., (bet 7th and 8th Ave.), 5th Fl.
Joie, Current/Elliott and Equipment: Never Pay Retail found $50 Equipment tops (most XS and S), but silk tops were in short supply and it’s unknown if they will be restocking. Other highlights of the sale include $35 tops/dresses from Joie, mostly size S, and $120 fur and leather pieces. There is a fitting room (15 item limit) and 260 5th typically does markdowns at the end of their sales. See more photos from Racked! Tuesday, Dec 6 through Saturday, Dec 10. Tues 9-7pm, Wedn-Thurs 10-8pm, Fri 10-7pm, Sat 10-4pm. 260 Fifth Ave (bet 28th and 29th St).
Eberjey: Sample Sally (with video!) found $15 undies and bralets, $20 underwire bras, $25 camis and pants, $35 robes, and $50 pajama sets. If you’re not familiar with Eberjey I suggest you check it out - the line is fun and feminine but not overtly sexy. Thursday, Dec 8, 9-7pm and Friday, Dec 9, 9-4pm. 40 E 34th St (at Madison Ave), Suite 1215.
Simon Showroom: Samples from Citizens of Humanity, Goldsign, Iro, and Duffy & Kenny start at $28. Sample Sally has a video preview where she found $65 denim from Goldsign and Citizens of Humanity, plus $200 IRO leather jackets, $120 mohair sweaters, $100 cashmere, $80 tops and more. Thursday, Dec 8 and Friday, Dec 9, 10-7pm. 95 5th Ave (at 17th St) third floor.
Lauren Merkin: Never Pay Retail found all bargain bins below $50 cleaned out. There were green lambskin studded Dianas for $50, and most overstock bags were $95+. You’ll also find wallets, passport holders, and other accessories for under $50. Tuesday, Dec 6 through Saturday, Dec 10. Tues-Fri 11-7pm, Sat 11-4pm. 231 W 29th St (bet 7th and 8th Ave), Suite 201.
