julieinred

I'm taking my daughter to NYC December 1-3, to celebrate her 13th birthday. She would love to afford some designer brand jeans, shoes, shirts. Does anyone have some secrets they'd like to reveal re: designer sample sales or back room sales? We don't want to visit "outdoor outlets" as we have those near us. I'm looking for those sample sales you read/hear about. Anyone got any information? Thanks!

ekscrunchy

www.soifferhaskin.com

lizziea06

Buy a copy of Time Out New York the week of your visit. You'll find a very comprehensive listing of sample sales across the city. I also subscribe to a NY Magazine newsletter called "Best Bets". Each day, they send me a link to sample sales across the city. Dailycandy.com is also a great source for this information.

lizziea06

The most efficient place to visit for preteen designer clothing would be Century 21. It's a huge "department store", and she'll be able to find a big selection of jeans (True Religion, Seven, Hudson) and designer tops (Tracy Reese, Velvet, Three Dots, Juicy) at a big discount. They also carry bags and shoes at a big discount. It's a bit of a madhouse, but I guarantee your daughter will find something.

wyatt92

You can check out all the upcoming sample sales, etc here:

http://nymag.com/shopping/index.htm

Bluefly has a store in NYC that would be a good bet for designer clothing.

julieinred

This is great - I've checked out the links provided and bookmarked the nymag link to visit closer to our date as they don't seem to go past early Oct. for sales anncts. I saw a tour offered on the NYC cvb website - a woman offering her services for some $165/tix w/ her promise to make it into the exclusive spaces. I'd like to do this w/o the $165 tix so we could actually have money left to buy. I'll keep checking back - you're hitting on some of her Wish List: Juicy, Marc Jacobs, Citizen. Keep 'em coming! And, thanks!

lizziea06

For what your daughter is looking for, there is absolutely NO need for a private guide. I would take her to the Bloomingdale's in Soho, Anthrologoie in Soho, Century 21, the Marc Jacobs Store, and hit a few sample sales.

Century 21 has a pretty decent selection of Marc Jacobs on the third floor.

The Soho Bloomie's carries all of the brands your daughter is seeking and more. They also have a pretty extensive collection of Marc by Marc Jacobs, which is his more affordable (ha!) collection. I'm not sure if they'll have X-mas sales going on at that point, but definitely still worth a look. It's a different inventory than the Bloomie's uptown. Much younger and trendier.

williamscb13

You can also sign up Top Button online. I get emails from them all the time. I confess, I don't read most of them, but today's was a sample sale email. I'm not sure what the website is, but google Top Button and sign up for the emails to find out about sample sails.

julieinred

Is it true that if we just walk around the garment district peaking in windows, etc. that some designers/warehouses have people handing out leaflets for on the spot sales or are these scams to be avoided?

ekscrunchy

I would not think they are scams but they might not merit your time, either. No way of knowing unless you check them out. Most of the sample sales, including the ones on the site I posted, may have items a bit rich for a 13 year old. I agree with the idea of just going to Century 21, etc. Certainly do not waste money on a guide!

julieinred

Thanks everyone for your ideas. I have bookmarked the websites suggested and signed up for the email alerts for sample sales. I'll keep checking back to see more suggestions. Thanks - I too love this site - used it this summer for travel to Spain and had a great time with all the recommendations!

budzilla

Just want to agree with the prior posts that there is no need to waste money on a "guide". The stores mentioned, and the sites mentioned, will be plenty sufficient. The sales publicized by flyers in the garment district are hit or miss, in my experience, mostly miss. If you're in the area anyway and you see someone giving out sale flyers, sure, check it out. But do not make a special trip. The better sales always get listed on the various web sites. Unfortunately, you won't really be able to plan your attack until November - listings usually appear 10-14 days prior to the sample sale.

julieinred

Thank you all...I am now getting sample sale emails from TopButton and Daily Candy. We'll skip the guide and use the money to run into Century 21 and Bloomies Soho! Thanks!

marginal_margiela

Don't want to burst your bubble, but the Bloomies on Broadway in Soho is very expensive. It isn't a discount place at all, and I doubt that there will be much on sale during early December. (You are coming to NYC at the wrong time for sales. You need to come in January for Barney's Warehouse Sale.)

I am surprised no one has mentioned Daffy's. They are all over the city. (There is one opposite Paul Stuart on Madison Ave.) Daffy's is the Marshall's of Manhattan.

There is a Filene's Basement next door to Bed Bath & Beyond on 6th Ave. in the 20's?

You could also try H/M on 5th Ave. Not designer, but pretty cool stuff for a 13-year-old. Even if you have an H/M where you live, the stuff at this store can't be found in other stores.

The fact of the matter is that to really get a deal on clothes in New York, you have to spend a lot of time scoping things out because this town is very competetive. Everyone wants a pair of Jimmy Choo's for $50.

You really don't have enough time to run around to really get great deals.

lizziea06

Well, if they were willing to spend $165 on a guide, they're 80% on the way to a new pair of True Religion's or Tsubis at Bloomie's! Bloomie's is just a fun place to poke around, and they do have a great sale rack. I honestly think Century 21 would be your best bet. Century 21 has a HUGE inventory of discounted premium jeans. Much more than any other discount store in the city.

If you're interested in Filene's Basement, the one on Union Square South is right next door to a massive Forever 21 and DSW. There's also the flagship American Eagle store, and you're convenient to all the shops along 5th Avenue (Zara, J Crew, etc.).

julieinred

Goodness...there's a Zara in NYC? We hit that this summer in Barcelona - and loved it! I think you're right about Bloomies being more pricey. It really sounds like for her, we would do well to spend the time searching through Century 21 for a pair of name brand jeans that she couldn't afford at home. Thanks again for all your posts!