Betsey Johnson Wants to Help You

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 6:50 PM, April 5, 2007

(From here: This Southern Belle dress is only $385 or 77 mint juleps)

With temperatures still hovering in the forties, spring's intoxicating air has yet to fully descend. However, that's not stopping Betsey Johnson from inviting you to her "tea party." In other words, until Saturday she's taking a full $25 off any online dress purchase.

Unfortunately, this won't diminish the price tag of her frilly frocks, which often run between $300 and $400! However, a discount's a discount. To get yours, visit betseyjohnson.com and enter the promo code Babycakes.

Screw Taxes: Saturday's Spring Sales

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 11:11 AM, March 30, 2007

Instead of filing our taxes, we've decided Saturday's spring sales are a must. Two in particular have thrilled the procrastinor in us: Sodafine's trunk show and EMG's monthly vintage extravaganza.

Sodafine's show spotlights two Brooklyn designers, Supayana and Popomomo. We love the photo of the latter's fuschia dress. What better way to prance around in a prickly, weedy backyard than in a designer frock? Plus, this trunk show promises snacks.

And starting at 2pm, it's EMG's monthly vintage sale at the Tribeca Grand Hotel. In addition to their usual retro threads, EMG will be selling Octopi at "deeply discounted prices." This means silk/linen "armor" dresses ($125), limited edition lame jackets ($150), and cardigans ($40).

We checked out Octopi's website for more information. Their "about us" opener reads:

This animal with the ability to transform its color, texture, and shape to suit diverse environments influences the Octopi line.

Huh . . . Perhaps it's best to just check out the sale.

Sodafine
119 Grand Street
Brooklyn, New York
718-230-3060

EMG
Tribeca Grand Hotel
2 Avenue of the Americas
212-519-6600

Min-k Welcomes Spring With Dresses, Wine

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 10:30 AM, March 21, 2007

(From here: Sleeving it up at Min-k)

So spring has officially arrived. Time to start thinking cotton sundresses, and forget about the winter boots-leggings-tunic combo (please!)

Thankfully, Min-k is here with warm thread inspiration. Tonight from 6-8 p.m., they are "showcasing" their new season. And to get you over the fear of showing more skin, wine will be served. Of course, if that doesn’t work, their winter clothes are on sale for $60.

This event is part of the first Nolita Spring Promenade. So if you tire of Min-k, stoll to another shop—they're all open 'til 8 and—you got it—serving beverages too.

Min-k
219 Mott Street
212-219-2834

Sale: Feral Childe's Siberian Train Wear

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 12:10 PM, March 17, 2007

(From here: Are you going to Vladivostok?)

We've never been on the trans-Siberian express, but we imagine the long journey (at least six days, no showers, lots of vodka) would necessitate comfortable clothing.

For the innovative designers of Feral Childe, this adventure's inspired creations of a non-hoodie variety. According to the Brooklyn duo:

Feral Childe's Spring/Summer 2007 collection Trans-Siberia Express is inspired by the legendry 7,000 mile railway journey across Russia to the Sea of Japan. These clothes for the quick change artist travel from dusk to dawn, nimbly pack to nothing and spring unscathed from suitcases and pocketbooks. Crinkled gauze, lame, distressed leather and rainproof nylon are embellished with signature Feral Childe details such as limited edition 'diamonds' and amber chunks of cast-resin.

Hmm . . . although we appreciate the rainproof nylon and crinkled gauze (no ironing!), we can't imagine traveling almost a week, sans shower, decked out in 'diamonds'.

But this won't keep us from Feral Childe's studio this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, they're having a sample sale and stateside debut of their fall line "Canadian Alphabet." We're from that country to the North and we can’t even envision this one.

Feral Childe Studio
March 17-18, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
269 Douglass Street at Third Avenue
Brooklyn, New York
RSVP: 347-225-7287

Built by Wendy's Spring Sample Sale: Thinking Outside the Mercury

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 12:11 PM, March 5, 2007

(From here: Where this now—under four layers).

Shopping for the current season can be tricky. It's either freezing outside and store windows showcase spring dresses or it's a hundred degrees and mannequins are decked out in wool ponchos. And with temperatures plummeting, Built by Wendy's coming sample sale is no exception to this retail irony. That's right, next weekend gauze camisoles and other breezy threads from last spring will be 40-70 percent off.

So, if you really missed their '06 tie-dye pants (wait, weren't those from spring '63?) or want to look creative with their cotton splatter paint top, and "high waistoid painter" jeans, take the L to their Brooklyn store.

And, if you can't think outside the mercury, their down parka ($190) and long john leggings ($63) are also marked down online.

Built by Wendy
46 North 6th Street
Brooklyn, New York
718-384-2882

Greene Party: Sale Away in Soho

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 4:51 PM, February 28, 2007

The Art of Shopping's spring sample sale starts today. This means men's and women's tops and jeans are discounted 50-80 percent. Think 7 for all Mankind, True Religion, Earnest Sewn, Theory, Ed Hardy, T Luxury, Ben Sherman, People's Liberation, Hudson, and more.

After reading People Liberation's online denim descriptions, we need 80 percent off to persuade us to purchase these pants. Behold the details of their Tommy Lee designed drainpipes:

How great are you going to look in these Tommy Lee skinny jeans? Imagine the fit: these jeans fit your body just like Tommy Lee's tattoos fit his body.

Eww. Even more vague is the write-up for their "Jenny Boot Cut Jeans Bentley Wash Gold Skull" style:

Always wanting to be different, Jenny is one member of the People's Liberation family who doesn't hold back. She demands to be the center of attention!

That's cool that "Jenny" is so confident, but what about the pants? Although four bullet points provide perfunctory notes, we'll have to visit the sample sale to find out more.

And while you're on Greene Street, check out Anna Sui's sale. Although it's been going on for three months, two full racks of merchandise, discounted 30-50 percent, still hang. At least now you won't blow an entire paycheck on a funky knit tank top.

The Art of Shopping
Spring Sample Sale February 28-March 4
72 Greene Street
New York, New York

Anna Sui
113 Greene Street
New York, New York
212-941-8406

Sale: Where the West Meets Dior

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 9:45 AM, February 22, 2007

(From here)

The Tribeca Grand isn't known for discounts. But every month it hosts vintage collective Everything Must Go's "designer sale/party" with guest sellers hailing from around the world.

EMG's Saturday's event promises an old Dior swing coat ($45), a '70s Givency tweed mini, red-hot YSL pumps ($40), an '80s DFV blazer ($25), fitted western shirts ($35), Whiting and Davis mesh bags ($40-$50), '70s jewelry ($5-$35), and more.

Beware the delirium this vintage spree can stir up. Too many designer styles for cheap easily destroys perspective. At the end, you've purchased a confusing jumble of threads that look like various decades vomited on you. At least we've heard this can happen. Be safe: Don't drink too much coffee and bring a friend.

EMG Sale
Saturday, February 24, 2-6 p.m.
Tribeca Grand Hotel
2 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY
212-519-6600

Catbird Celebrates Groundhog Day

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 7:28 PM, February 1, 2007

Leave it to Catbird to start a sale on Groundhog Day. One of Brooklyn's cutsy-wutsy stores, they have discounted dresses, pants, shoes, and sweaters by 20 to 50 percent. So if you like little creatures, scurry over to their Metropolitan Avenue location. Here you'll find animal motifs on clothes, jewelry, and accessories. Just beware of piling on too many pieces with deers, owls, and birds on them. You might look like the Sierra Club exploded on you.

Catbird
390 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-388-7688

On Sale: Lumberjack Geisha Look

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 3:33 PM, January 30, 2007

Min-K's sample sale is in full swing. Outfits that were $200 are now drastically reduced. Think striped t-shirts, apple print dresses, and full cotton skirts for $20-$40. Although most of these fun pieces we love, their silk boyshorts give us pause. And judging from their ample leftover supply, we aren't the only ones.

On a retro note, Sweet Tater's vintage wares are currently 50 percent off. This Nolita boutique specializes in "reincarnate[ing] the 1950's through the early 80's." Not to worry if you favorite decade is now. They've reduced their contemporary items around 20 percent. Our only words of caution are not to sport their buffalo check tunic (was $142, now $98) with their black leather belt. This combo's on their website and veers into lumberjack geisha territory.

Min-K
334 East 11th Street
New York, NY
212-253-8337

Sweet Tater
280 Mulberry Street
New York, NY
212-219-6400

Sale Away: When $600 Off Isn't Enough

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 6:56 PM, January 24, 2007

Their website declares, "we love . . . a bargain." But with discounted prices still in the quadruple digits, it's hard to believe Intermix does. But, if you feel like blowing rent, feel thrifty by purchasing the Fendi "B" bag for $1,399. It originally cost $2,000. Maybe Intermix does love a bargain!

Aside from the Italian luxury brand, expect trends galore, such as sweater dresses, clunky platforms, and lots of leggings. Grey Ant's high-waisted braided jeans topped our must have list, especially since they're $79. Even though they hark to the '70s wide-legged craze, we tried them on—they flatter in ways unimaginable to skinny pants.

Ghost to Haunt NYC

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 10:30 AM, January 16, 2007

January 27 will be a sad day for New York. It is the official closing of Ghost, a label known for their luxurious fabrics, machine washability, and flattering lines with slip on ease. According to U.K-based Managing Director Sandy Goldsbrough, "since 2000 financial results have been poor" and "the original owner sold the business early in 2006." And since the "two U.S. stores were loss making [they] have thus been closed."

Fans of the brand can travel to the U.K., where "the new owners plan to focus initially on building brand awareness." There, the original two stores will remain and six new ones will open this spring. Goldsbrough adds that "the brand is also working as a concession in key department stores such as Brown Thomas and Selfridges."

If you are lucky enough to shop across the pond, look for Ghost's extended line that will soon included "knitwear, jersey, silk print, leather handbags, and belts."

However if you're like the rest of us, you have less than two weeks to snatch up Ghost's discounted merchandise—some at 70 percent off.

Ghost
28 Bond Street
New York, NY
646-602-2891

Doing Clint Eastwood Proud

Posted by Jessie Pascoe at 11:30 AM, January 10, 2007

Ever feel like your wardrobe is incomplete? That you really aren't pushing the boundaries of thread? Don't fret, just get yourself to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, where Judi Rosen's eccentric styles (think '70s American kitsch) are on sale for the month of January.

Discounted selections that caught our eye: "slutty thermal union suits" (were $170, now $90); flattering cigarette pants—not an oxymoron— now $120; classic Miss Dater Polly heels, a comfortable 50 percent off; and ultra-flattering high-waisted elephant bells. Complete the look with blood-red lady's driving gloves—although supplies on these snazzy t-straps are "very limited."

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
85 Kenmare Street
212-473-3769