Sample Sale Report: Eugenia Kim

The city is absolutely sizzling so when the time came for me to make the trek to Ninth Avenue I wasn't sure I was going to make it with the 90 degree heat. Call me a wimp but after traveling to the Pacific North West the other week, I wasn't ready for the summer heat.  Fortunately it was worth it and I scored some fun hats galore at the Eugenia Kim sample sale.  The sale was bustling with the after work crowd and there are only 2 mirrors but staffers are super friendly and willing to help.

The room itself is surrounded by white shelving with pretty decked out hats that range in price from $15 to glitzy headbands and current season goods that are $225. Tables are laden with straw hats that have intricate raffia and beaded creatures like lobsters, parrots for $175. The Genie by Eugenia Kim line offered lower prices with simpler silhouettes and detailing.

Under the tables you'll find the bins which hold bargains galore ranging from free, (yes really free!), to $45. There were plenty of $5 hats - mostly winter styles, some with small defects like a missing pom pom or a split lining.  There were also quite a number of $10 options especially if you are looking for a straw hat without the bells and whistles. Here you can find the base hats that don't have silk scarves or adornments for just $10-25! I scored some $10 goodies here that I plan on making future DIY projects with.

One of my absolute favorite fun pieces was this absolutely adorable cat ear hat but unfortunately for me it was out of budget at about $235. These will definitely make a statement!

Some the knitted hats ranged from $20 to $75 and had lots of glitter yarns and sequins to keep things pretty.

Silk scarves that wrap around the head in a luxe do-rag manner were $35-55. Here is a look at the free bin. Many of the hats were tattered, missing buckles or just too small for my head, but they were free. I heard that they may be replenishing this throughout the sale but it looked pretty picked over.

Since I couldn't get that sweet cat ear hat I found solace in getting mouse ear pom pom headbands that are reminiscent of Minnie mouse for just $20 a pop. They had black, cream and fuschia. I opted for black so it would blend in with my hair for a subtler look.
These slick straw hats with military appeal were priced at $85.

There were also some awesome mens hats that ranged in price from $45 to $95. I ended up finding a Mr. Kim hat for just $15 that I took home with me.

Overall if you're looking for some easy way to add swagger to your outfit stop on by for some fedoras galore. If you're looking for a Pretty Woman floppy hat, you'll find it here too. If you've always wanted cat ears or mouse ears, this is also your sale. So basically if you're looking to up your head wear wardrobe there is definitely some fun options at a wide price range. They even gave me a coupon that might entice me back for an additional 15% my Thursday/Friday purchases if I return. Oh how I've missed sample sales.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

Obsessed with wacky accessories and novelty items, I've been wanting a pair of bunny ears for awhile. No, not Playboy style. I talking about the bunny ears à la Louis Vuitton's fall 2009 show.
The headband at the top is from Topshop, but they unfortunately sold out. I hesitated to buy them because they were $36 for something kind of ridiculous, and now they're gone.

I've done a bit of searching for other options under $50, and the only ones I've come across are these velvet ones from Asos. At $17, they're affordable, but they look too much like cat ears for my liking and I'd prefer something lighter like a satin or lace.
So now I guess the question becomes "To DIY or not to DIY?" Perhaps Erin and I can craft up a little something. If we do, we promise to post a tutorial.

Sample Sale Report: Colette Malouf

Headband and hair ornament master Colette Malouf had a sample sale today and I stopped by to some super bargains and great source for some stocking stuffers/gifts! Seriously if you bought a flip book on chignons, some pony holders and hair sticks you'd have a super cute little set perfect for gifting!

The fabric headbands and the pony holders were the real bargain at 2 for $5. As were those Chignon How-To Flip Book.

Hairsticks at $5 a piece were also a great bargain. Some are even crystalized.

There were $10 hair combs and bands. Also a super cute twisted bias silk pony holder unlike any I've ever seen!

Pretty satin flowered and crocheted headbands were $15 a piece.

The $20 section yielded some awesome feathered clips and lace/satin headbands.

The $30 section was mostly metal mesh headbands and beautiful metal mesh flower clips.

The tables around yielded some jewelry. I saw rings for $50, other pieces for $80 and those lovely metal mesh necklaces were $40 for a single layer and $50 for a double layer.

I picked up a couple headbands that make me feel super excited! Perfect for hiding those bad hair days. One that is plastic for $5 that looks super futuristic and one of those grey satin ones with the flowers :)

If you're into feminine hair accessories or in need of a quick gift for the Blair Waldorf in your life, this sale is a DO!

Who: Colette Malouf
What: Sparkly headbands, silk flower combs, and shiny barrettes are all $5-$30. Jewelry too.
When: December 2-3, 2009. Wed-Thurs 9am-7pm
Where: 594 Broadway, b/t E. Houston & Prince Sts., ste. 1216 (212-941-9588).

Trends: Turban vrs Head Wrap

Ever since Prada's jewel tone turbans stormed the runways in Spring 2007 they've just been stuck in my mind as a fun and fascinating head accessory! I did have a chance to buy one at the Prada Sample Sale for $50 but it was just too high off my head that it made me look like I had an egghead! I since found this metallic turban during the H&M loves Kylie collection.

Obviously I'm not the only one who is still stuck on turbans, as Yigal Azrouel recently featured them in his Resort 2010 collection on every model in a plethora of great colors! These added the perfect refined but fresh touch to his collection.

While at Rag & Bone Resort 2010, they featured scarves tied on the head in a somewhat Turban like, they left the ends hanging down for a more urban grunge goddess feel.

The thing about turbans is they are a bit hard to pull off on an everyday basis, so that's why I couldn't help but fall for this feminine Liliana silk headband from Eugenia Kim that I just picked up at her sample sale. Her sale is going on until tomorrow, in case you want one!

Stefano Pilati for YSL obviously believes in head wraps as every girl at the YSL Resort 2010 show had a white or black version.

So when it comes to head wraps vrs turbans, which would you wear?

Sample Sale Report: Eugenia Kim

Went to the Eugenia Kim Sample Sale last night and wondered if it would be worth the trek to 9th Ave. Fortunately it turned out to be well worth my time, but not for what you might imagine. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take great photos but I snagged the price list:

Also to note they are offering sort of a volume discount, the more you buy, the more you save! If you buy 4 items the 5th is free :)

As Eugenia Kim is most famous for her hats I was hoping to pick up some really cute hats but every time I saw one that I thought was super fab it was bit out of reach for me.

The Quinn Zipper Trim Fedora was $115. There were about 3 racks full of various style fedoras.
The wide brim floppy straw Honey and Gloria Hats were $125. Perhaps 2 racks full of floppy straw hats.

On the opposite wall there were some more affordable options in terms of soft fabric bucket and equestrian styles for mostly $55.

As you enter the sale there was an accessory rack that contained hard headbands and belts. The hard headbands included the jeweled Diana for $45 and the crystallized India for $95 While there weren't very many belts left, I managed to snag the last Sailor inspired snap button elastic belt for $20! Only about 4 more belts left. Also on this rack was the only thing I saw for $5 a leather cuff with square studs.

Also in front of the accessory rack was a rack that was brimming with soft headband and head scarf options that were mostly in the $20-25 range. I picked up this soft ruched Liliana for $25 because it can be worn as both a headband and a head wrap sort of a flapper-esque turban alternative.

Finally if you are looking for a bargain hat, there are a few to be had. A box packed full of straw hats sells them for $10 each but they are unfinished and don't have the grosgrain trim inside or decorative touches and for most part look pretty raw, but definitely could make a great basic for a DIY decoration. Right beside is another box full of miscellaneous hats from newsboys, bucket hats to equestrians for varying prices in the $25-45 range.

The staff was super helpful and friendly. They took the time to demonstrate how to wear items and suggest things that might flatter your personal style.

If I wasn't time starved I would have been tempted to pick up a few more things. The sale was busy but not overcrowded and there were a good number of mirrors to check yourself out in! I know they had men's styles as well but I didn't notice them. See more styles and prices on EugeniaKim.com. Go if you're into head wear especially for the great headbands...eat your heart out Blair Waldorf (there's a bow style too for $20)!

Who: Eugenia Kim
What: 50-70% off 1000 different men’s & women’s hats, headbands and belts.
When: June 9-12, 2009. Tues-Fri, 10am-7pm.
Where: 347 W 36th St., suite 502; 212.674.1345 ext. 12

Trend Report: Fun & Fabulous Hair Accessories

LuLu's Wood Nymph Feathered Headband $22
Hot Topic Mini Feather Cocktail Hat $19.99
Pluma Jessica Headband $48
Urban Outfitters Bow and Chain Barrette $18
Chapeau Claudette Wool Take A Bow Hat £31.32
Forever 21 Silk Rose Headband $7.80

In my opinion, headbands and hair accessories never really went out of style. Girls just forgot about them until the adorable Blair Waldorf and the Gossip Girl crew came along.

Mini hats, cocktail veils, fancy feathers, ribbons and bows, we love it all. Hair accessories are great because they are an easy way to jazz up an outfit. They're especially great for girls with super straight hair because they add some volume and texture to a look. You may remember seeing me and Erin rocking some feather headbands in previous Style Diary posts.

We made the headbands ourselves with some glue, sewing, and some serious patience. But with the trend spreading like wildfire, you can find accessories just about anywhere - Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Etsy.com, and even Hot Topic. Ha! Yes, really.