11th floor haven of silks, bold prints, and bright colors, Alice and Trixie Sample Sale offered long and short dresses and tops from their spring and summer collections. The calm and relaxed vibe is unlike the typical sample sale, enjoy an air-conditioned studio as you sort though and find your favorite dress for next summer without someone knocking you out of the way.

Leather belts in various bright colors as well as silk print scarves were in an organized bin, accessible for easy sorting. Within the mix of the abundant Alice & Trixie silks were great vintage pieces that the designer clearly used for inspiration. Make sure to try these cute vintage dresses on (amazingly priced at $10) in their decently sized changing area, remember the dresses were used for inspiration so they are not sample sizes! The $75 credit card minimum forces you to buy more than one dress if you are sticking with the name brand.

The dark colored tops and little black dresses allow you to get away with wearing this summer design right through the winter, making it a plausible purchase that will get its wear! Go check out this sale before it’s over, there is something for all here!

• Silk Tops: reg $220, now $40
• Short Silk Dresses: reg $275, now $50
• Long Silk Dresses: reg $330, now $60
• Silk Skirt: reg $142, now $30
• Asst. Vintage: now $10 & up

WHEN: 8/31 - 9/2, Tue-Th (10-7)
WHERE: 265 West 37th Street, 11th Floor, New York

Caitlin Colford 

As a fashion editor I see trends come and go with a blink of the eye. I’ve come to understand that trends work best when paired with classic fashion pieces. The key to great style is to look put together while incorporating a few up to the minute trends to keep your look fresh.

Here are ten must have fashion items that will give your wardrobe a great foundation on which you can build upon.

#1 The Little Black Dress (LBD)
A little black dress is elegant and extremely versatile. It can be worn everywhere for any occasion It can be dressed up with jewelry and great high heels or dressed down when paired with flats and a denim jacket. Spend as much as you can on your LBD, as it is your fashion staple.

#2 The Trench Coat
When I think of the trench coat I think of Audrey Hepburn in Paris during spring. The trench will take you from season to season and is a great go-to coat for rainy days. Invest in a trench by Burberry, as they are the originators of the trench and have perfected the silhouette and details of the trench coat from stitch to seam.

#3 The Cashmere Sweater
Cashmere sweaters are always in style and feel sumptuous against skin. Whether you opt for a cashmere turtleneck or a cashmere cardigan you will be cozy while staying chic.

#4 Diamond Studs
It’s hard to find jewelry to match each of your outfits; therefore diamond studs are the perfect accompaniment to any outfit since they will go with everything. They are also perfect for work or play.

#5 Men’s Style Watch
A men’s style watch is one of those accessories that will elevate any outfit. Many designer watch companies make men’s style watches for women and they have just the right blend of masculine and feminine touches.

#6 White Button Down Shirt
A white button down shirt looks just as fabulous with jeans as it does when paired with a fitted black pencil skirt. Ralph Lauren has mastered the white shirt and also offers customers different variations on this trusted classic.

#7 Slingback Pumps
Slingback pumps with a moderate heel height are the perfect everyday heels that can take you anywhere, literally. Look for styles in pure Italian leather, as they will last much longer. Also make sure to have your soles and heels replaced as soon as you notice any wear and tear to preserve your heels. Make sure to have at least one pair by Christian Louboutin the master of this shoe style.

#8 Chain-link Handbag
Chain-link handbags exude glamour and richness. They are extremely ladylike and can make any outfit instantly classy. The Chanel 2.55 bag is probably the most coveted and popular chain-link handbag. Lanvin also features great chain-link styles in their handbag collection.

#9 Oversized Sunglasses
Sunglasses, especially oversized sunglasses should be in every fashionista’s arsenal. They are a perfect way to instantly look and feel chic especially on those days when you don’t have the time or energy to do your makeup. Dior has some of the best oversized sunglasses as does Gucci. Word of caution, oversized does no mean bug-like. Make sure to ask for assistance form a sales person when shopping for sunglasses for the perfect style and size for your face shape.

#10 Fitted Blazer
A great blazer is a great way to dress up any outfit and make it look put together in a flash. Black is the best option when it comes to blazers for versatility. Look for luxurious fabrics like velvet and satin can add a dose of glamour for night.

By Millissa Mathai
 

In shopping, as in traveling, sometimes it pays to go off the beaten path. Example: the James Perse sample sale currently taking place in a blah stretch of Downtown Brooklyn. At 11:30 on a Friday, more than an hour after it opened, the massive room was empty, save for a dozen or so very friendly staff members. The lack of customers, however, doesn’t prevent the staff from creating an atmosphere: with eyes closed and the guitar-heavy music playing, it’s easy to pretend to be in California, moments from the beach.

That sea-swept feeling carries over to the clothes, where Perse’s signature effortless aesthetic is readily available. Almost everything is 30% off already discounted prices. Waffle-knit shirts as soft as down are $28, marked down from $70. Jeans are $73.50 from $195. There’s an ample selection of beach-ready swimwear for $42, previously $155, as well as a $5 rack stocked mostly with black t-shirts. The best bets are likely the silk shirt dresses in muted shades of green and khaki, $63 (from $190) and perfect for fall, and pencil skirts made out of sweatshirt material ($38.50 from $85). The skirts are chic enough to wear back to Manhattan, and comfortable enough to stop for tacos at the nearby Loading Dock before you go. Loading Dock is, incidentally, literally located on a loading dock. Stepping off the beaten path has its rewards when it comes to eating as well.

WHEN: 8/27-28: 10am-8pm; 8/29: 10am-4pm
WHERE: 189 Schermerhorn St (btwn Smith & Hoyt)

End of the season sale or end of the decade sale? Out of date fashions, namely Calvin Klein and Velvet, were stacked on racks as you first walked in to Misorena’s Sample Sale. Nothing more than long sleeved t-shirts and flared pants, predictably from a few seasons ago, was easy to pass up as you realize they are out purely for brand name purposes. A fair amount of Louis Feraud contemporaries were featured as well, but nothing worth focusing on.

The men’s section featured the better end of the bargain, a good selection of J Lindeberg denim for men and the trendy and popular Superdry hoodies were only $75. There was a large John Varvatos display with nothing from the brand to be found aside from leather jacks marked just under a grand.

My last stop was the shoe station; Keneth Cole pumps and stilettos excited me but with only one or two sizes per style made it a crapshoot.  Within the $9.99 bin full of sample shoes, were beat up mismatched pairs, mostly flats and sneakers that were either too dirty or ripped for purchase.

Don’t waste your time visiting Misorena, apparently this sale allots you no room to be fashionably late

WHEN: 8/23 - 8/29, M-F (9-7) Sat-Sun (11–7)
WHERE: 260 Fifth Avenue, between 28th and 29th Streets (212.725.5400)
Nearest subways - R and N to 28th Street

Caitlin Colford