I saw the post on Daily Candy and had heard about a couple sales via the "grapevine".. but the fact that a line I had recently featured in not just one but TWO issues of a print magazine, gave me pause enough to see if I could snag a GF to hit the road with me for a 70% off ++ sample sale. Alas–sob– no one was free and it was really sort of last minute so I know that it’s no one’s fault.
The draw: Mike & Chris –the super fashionable hoodie line– was having their first ever sample sale. It started yesterday and I had contact with their PR that suggested I make the trip no matter what because I would like what I would see. Given that I love their new fall line (and hope that I can score sample sale pieces of the items I had seen for Fall 2006), I got up really early (yes.. on a SATURDAY- my play day no less) to hit the road.
I hit the road with a bottle full of tea and lots of water, wearing Jack Starr jeans, a cami and a Gap aqua silk camp shirt with roll sleeves and sandals. Since I wasn’t sure exactly what was on the racks, I came prepared- but with CC and check book–but forgot to get the cash the day before.
Filling that tank (oy that hurt).. and then hitting the freeway at 9:30 for 1 0 AM sample sale opening, I was booking it across 3 freeways to make it there in time. I had my parking tips from the Mike&Chris people so I was ready to rock and roll (read credit & card) for this line. Luckily I was there practically straight up 10 AM– but due to factors beyond control, we had to wait for about 25 minutes before the sale opened. No biggie except up 5 floors in this funky cool Orpheum theater office building of lofts (read vintage, historical space), there was NO cross ventilation and we were going to DIE waiting.
Once the doors opened to about 20 of us in line there were a number of racks of hoodies: jackets, vests, long, cropped, removable hoodies, blazers, sweater type effects and all sorts of styles. Even cropped LEATHER vests and fleece vests. Gorgeous handbags of super soft leather (so soft you could sleep on it) in a variety of hues marked down almost 75% off!! It was amazing. With one little mirror, I don’t know how we all managed to snag great stuff but we managed to get an idea and I wound up with a black button up fleece jacket with hoodie and pockets that had little drawstrings and it’s ADORABLE on. Better than the cropped cardi I was hunting, this one is perfectly suited for jeans or whatever. I wanted the leather cropped jacket but I really wanted the 2 things I saw for fall instead– so I decided to save that three digit expenditure that was literally 70% off the original price and "bank " it for the fleece trench and the Ethan dress. (Mike&Chris people— you listening??). I hope it hasn’t sold out by the time the season is over!!
Another score was the olive green/taupe sleeveless button up vest with removable hood that I got for a mere $38 dollars– and it came in about 6 colors. I *heart* this one a lot. I can see it being worn a lot this fall and even over a swimsuit – after all it is summer!
I checked out with a bill that I was very happy to pay since I know that I just saved about 75%. I walked down all these stairs (thinking I was burning off calories — who was I kidding? I was burning a hole in the credit card).. And then found the mezzanine didn’t go straight down to the first floor. So I had to use the elevator. Once inside, I noticed that there was ANOTHER sample sale up on the 12th floor for tees ! Never one to resist the siren’s call of a sale, I pushed "12" rather than exit and whoosh– up I went to the 12th floor.
I walked to the back of the building and found "Perfectly Imperfect" hand dyed organic cotton tees, camis, tanks, tunics along with MadameiMadame Denims.. at PHENOMENAL prices. These were solids and tie dye tops in a rainbow of hues in racerbacks, camis, layered look tanks, and tunics in beautiful cotton and super soft. I bought a tunic, a layered look tank, crew neck top and a v neck short sleeve tee. I was almost checked out and realized — DENIM!!! Not just ANY denim, but MadameIMadame denim that’s sold at Fred Segal for $200+.. and this was less than 25% of the original price. I tried on a couple of styles and went with the straight legged button fly jean that was low rise and slim fitting. Still needs hemming ( cuffing the hem worked in a pinch) and the cuteness of the jean is emphasized by a rounded seam between the two rear pockets, a patch of denim stitched on the right kneed and the not too dark, not too light shade of blue. Just worn enough and they are fabulous!
I have no clue what style they are- I best check of style numbers or labels. There are a couple other styles I tried and I went down a size to try one style on but it was "no eating, drinking or breathing " time so I decided to stick with my straight leg decision. I will have them hemmed and the waist will be nipped in a smidge too.
Heck I got out of there for just over 100 as well. YIPPEE!!REAL sample sales are worth the effort to schlep to downtown LA (or across NYC) to score some major bargains.
I wore the brown crew neck tie dye top (longer length tee) with a wide bronze grommetted belt and these jeans cuffed with sandals to go out for coffee today. It’s was perfect for the weather (hot hot HOT!! in LA) and I felt oh so smart (as in dollar saving smart) as well as fashionable in my new duds.
Now where can you get these kinds of bargains– if you aren’t shopping in one of the major metro areas or near an outlet shopping center, I suggest checking out some of the online sale sites including online samples sales ( a la Planet Lulu). It’s definitely worth the dinero.
**Bargain Alert for all you Angelenos.. next Sat 7/15 at THE CIRCLE in Silverlake area of LA is a HUGE sale event. THE CIRCLE, L.A.s "Indie" Designer Outlet introduces Innovative Fashion Sample Sale Program at the legendary Alternative Music Club SPACELAND!
The Circle, L.A.’s popular "Indie" Designer Outlet-Studio has teamed with Spaceland, the epicenter of L.A.’s alternative music scene to present bi-monthly fashion sales events in Silverlake featuring samples and back-stock from many of SoCal’s most innovative designers. The first sale will take place on Saturday, July 15th from 10:00am to 3:30pm. This is a 21 & over event. I will blog this one and give you all the details but for now, mark the calendars and note that this one is the front end of a two event bargain shoppers weekend: The CIRCLE + Red Carpet Boutique!!
So save those credit cards, skip the lattes and the lunches out and make sure you get there.
See you at the sales!!
That’s the LA STORY!!
Stevie Wilson
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