Theory Sample Sale Finds

Yesterday, a messenger harked the coming of another Theory sample sale. Yay! I cheered. Cry! went my credit card. It's gotten a lot of exercise this month and wants to rest, but I couldn't pass this up. Not when last time I had such success, not when I need more work clothes, not when it's Valentine's Day!!! Ok I convinced myself.

I found two pieces I liked - the Suneeta dress, and the Debra skirt. The boatneck and shape of the dress is great! It slightly bows inward from the hips, creating a small bubble effect. And I love the pockets and the skinny patent belt. The pockets-on-skirts trend has always appealed to me as functional, and looks cute when your hands are feeling awkward. Now I want more pocket-dress options!

The Debra skirt is high-waisted, and in a nice teal color that's not often found in my closet. I grabbed a size 00, and it is really tiny. Like, almost can't breathe tiny. I thought it would sit lower on my waist, but nope, it's right up there. Definitely not a skirt to wear if I'm planning on chomping down on a big lunch.

The Suneeta was a stock piece, and priced at $99. The skirt was an irregular, and much cheaper at $40. Last time, when I went on the 2nd to last day of the sale, there weren't any sample or irregular pieces left. This time though, racks upon racks awaited! It was a scavenger hunt rummaging through unlabelled pieces, avoiding items with rips and tears, and emerging with a piece that actually fit and was in decent condition. If you can find it though, the prices are much more reasonable - $60 for dresses, $40 skirts, $30 tops, etc.

The fitting room line was waaay long, so I took a gamble and bought both pieces without trying them on (hey, there's always Ebay). I got lucky, because the Suneeta fit great, and the skirt I can wear higher up and still get away with it because I'm short =P I knew there must be something good about being petite.

She Sells Sea Shells at the Sample Sale

November is crazy sample sale season in NYC. This weekend, I received a tip from a girl friend about a Theory one. Having missed the previous ones during the summer, my heart did a little flutter, and I got myself to the garment district as quickly as I could. Good thing, because I scored two winter coats/jackets for 70% off!

I knew I wanted a navy pea coat, and found a classic knee-length double-breasted wool/cashmere style called the Emmalei that would keep me warm(er) in the chilling winds of NY winter. The price tag? $250. Soo awesome for a Theory pea coat! Also got a cozy charcoal short jacket with removable collar lining. Online, it is super cropped and plaid, whereas mine covers my wrist and falls a bit longer. These are the downfalls of not standing at a model-esque height =P

Overall, I was ecstatic. Something about the hunt of a style you like, praying that it's in your size, and the final triumph of finding a great deal, is so exhilarating to me. And they say shopping isn't a sport. Psh.

So what is a sample sale?

I used to think it was leftovers from past seasons, but actually, it's the merchandise from the current season that a designer either brought to a potential buyer for showcasing, or used in magazine ad shoots. Sometimes the clothes are imperfect, but at discounts as steep as 80% off, these sample sales are a great way to get designer duds for a steal. Get notified of these events either by signing up on mailing lists, or reading about them on fashion blogs.

Tips that I've gathered for a great sample sale experience:

1) Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Flats are best for multiple trips to the dressing room; boots are a nuisance to take off and put back on if you're trying on bottoms. Most sample sales also don't have private dressing rooms; instead you are in a large open space, so have underclothing that you are okay with others seeing i.e. thongs not advised.

2) Know when the sale starts and go early . If possible, go during the first day, and snap up the most desired items, especially if you have something particular in mind. I went to a Kooba event and all the shoulder bags I wanted were gone, only remaining were random colors. However, towards the end of the sale, there may be additional discounts on whatever is remaining, since the point is to get rid of everything.

3) Take friends with you. When you're surrounded by so many discounted items, it's easy to become heady and plunk down your credit card for everything in sight. No? That's just me? Anyway, all sample sales are final, so buyer's remorse is irreversible here. Friends are great to help rationalize through unnecessary purchases, and on the other hand, can also be the extra push you need to go ahead and buy that thing you've always wanted =)

4) Bring cash. Sometimes sample sales will only accept cold hard greenbacks. Have some just in case, or be ready to cry when that must-have becomes must-put-back.