Sample Sales this Week NYC: October 11-17, 2010

Who: IT Sample Sale
What: 70% off men's and women's apparel from Gianfranco Ferre, Just Cavali, CNC, Galliano and Malo.
When: October 14-24, 2010. Mon-Sat 11-am-7pm , Sun 11am-6pm
Where: 17 Battery Place South - 5th floor (b/n West Side Highway and Washington St). 212-636-0865

Who: Fred Perry Sample Sale
What: 50%+ off of sportswear, shirts, pants, knits, jackets and shoes (mostly medium)
When: October 11-16, 2010. Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 12pm-5pm. CASH only.
Where: 547 W 27th St - 3rd floor (b/n 10th & 11th Ave). 212-736-3030

Who: Giuliana Teso Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% off on luxe fur and fur trimmed outerwear, ready-to-wear and accessories in Mink, Fox, Rex and more.
When: October 11-13, 2010. Mon-Wed 10am-6pm
Where: 224 West 30 St,(b/n 7th & 8th Ave) Suite 1101. 212-920-1211

Who: Goodman Couture Furs
What: One Time Inventory Liquidation Sale on Womens Furs, Clothing & Accessories. Get furs, fur-lined coats, fur accessories, and luxurious
fur-trimmed Italian cashmere knits are all for sale at prices below wholesale.
When:October 11-23, 2010. Mon–Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 11am-4pm
Where: 224 West 30 St(b/n 7th & 8th Ave) Suite 902. 212-244-7422

Who: Slane & Slane Sample Sale
What: 50%+ off jewelry. Fenestra diamond rings are $647 (were $1,295), Fenestra French wire and diamond earrings are $470 (were $940), column bangles are $300 (were $600) and large basket weave rings are $190 (were $380).
When: October 11-15, 2010. 9am-6pm
Where: 260 5th Ave (b/n 28th and 29th St)

Who: Gant by Michael Bastian and Gant Rugger
What: Up to 80% off on Fall/winter 2010 clothing and accessories. Oxfords, poplins, and blouses $25 (was $99 to $175), blazers $95 (was $695), lightweight cardigans and V-necks $45 (was $225)
When: October 12-15, 2010. Tues-Thurs 8:30am-6:30pm, Fri 8:30am-5pm
Where: 20 West 55th St (b/n 5th & 6th Ave) 11th Floor. 212-230-1949

Who: Bindya Sample Sale
What: Hand painted, luxe cashmere and wool and silk blended scarves on sale for $35-$50 (originally $138-$163). An assortment of $10 scarves will also be available.
When: October 13-15, 2010. Wed 10am-7pm, Thur-Fri 10am-6pm
Where: 49 W 38th Street - 9th floor (b/n 5th and 6th Ave)

Who: The Warehouse Sale (7 For All Mankind)
What: Men's and women's apparel. Jeans start at $65 on the first day, $55 on the second day and $45 on the third day.
When: October 15-17, 2010. 11am-8pm
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion - The Level (5th Floor). 123 W 18th Street (b/n 6th & 7th Ave)

Who: Long Tall Sally Pop-Up Shop
What: British retailer whose clothing is made for women 5'8 and taller.
When: October 16-17, 2010. Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-4pm
Where: 13-15 West 28th St - 10th floor (b/n 5th Ave and Broadway)

Ongoing Sales:
Who: Judith Ripka Sample Sale
What: 50-70% off on eighteen-karat-gold and sterling silver jewelry. Prices start at $250.
When: October 8-11, 2010. Fri-Sun 10am-6pm, Mon 11am-5pm.
Where: The Carlton Hotel, 88 Madison Ave (nr 28th St)

Who: Mayle Pop-Up Shop
What: Jane Mayle, owner of her namesake shop which shuttered its doors, is back: if only in pop-up form. Her fall '10 collection dubbed Kamikaze Full of Love, consists of printed blouses and vintage style dresses with ranges between $520 for a dress, a little less for tops, and around $800 for jackets.
When: September 30 - October 17, 2010. Daily noon-7pm
Where: 2 Great Jones Street (at Lafayette Street) 917-975-0801.

Who:Scoop Warehouse Sale
What: Up to 80% all Spring/Summer merch
When: September 29 - October 11, 2010. Daily, 9am-7pm
Where: 875 Washington St (at 14th St)212-691-1905

Who: Jane Mayle Micro Boutique
What: The cult designer (who shuttered her Elizabeth Street store in 2009) pops up, bringing her highly coveted fall 2010 capsule collection to the UES.
Why: New items arrive each week. Catch the exclusive boot collab between Mayle and Sigerson Morrison designers next week, and prepare to meet the coat of your dreams in week three.
When: Now through Oct. 14. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Sigerson Morrison, 19 E. 71st St., b/t Fifth & Madison Aves. (212-734-2100).

LA Sample Sale: The Warehouse Sale

Who: The Warehouse Sale
What: Brands like Smashbox Cosmetics, Citizens of Humanity, Erik Hart and Morphine Generation and more, normally sold at Neiman-Marcus and other high-end retailers, will be offered at up to 80% off retail. Shoppers who buy four items will receive a fifth item free. (The complimentary item is the least expensive of five.) The sale offers both men’s and women’s clothing in a full range of sizes. Jeans starting at only $70. Cosmetics start at just $5!
When: Decemeber 18-20, 2009. Fri noon-8pm, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm
Where: LA Convention Center, West Hall. 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Register for an invite here.

Sample Sales This Week NYC

Who: The Warehouse Sale - One Stop Denim shopping!
What: 80% off brands like 7 for All Mankind, AG Jeans, Antik Denim, BCBG, Chip & Pepper, Frankie B, Rock & Rebublic, True Religion, William Rast & mire,
When: December 4-5, 2009. Fri-Sat 10am-8pm
Where: Metropolitan Pavillion, 123 W 18th St. 4th Floor
*BONUS: Shoppers who mention "Sugar Rock Catwalk" at the cash register will receive 10% off the entire purchase

Who: Botkier
What: 50-75% off Handbags, Shoes & Wallets! Bonus. If you come to the sample sale wearing your fave Botkier bag or shoes recieve and extra 10% off your purchases
When: December 3-5, 2009. Thurs-Sat 11am-7pm. Sun noon-5pm
Where: 195 Lafayette St. (between Broome and Kenmare)

Who: L.A.M.B., Harajuku Lovers and Kidrobot Handbags
What: Up to 70% off on handbags
When: December 1-3, 2009. Tues 8am-8pm, Wed-Thurs 10am-7pm
Where: Savvy 42 Greene Street, Second Floor(B/n Grand & Broome Streets)

Who: Thread Social
What: Super cute dresses and more
When: December 3-4, 2009. Thurs-Fri 9am-7pm
Where: 26 W 17th Street, Suite 301, 212-314-8844

Who: Dolce Vita
What: Up to 70% off Spring & Fall Shoes. Up to 80% off on clothing from Dolce Vita, Tsesay, Caroline Hadaya, and Dolan.
When: December 5-6, 2009. Sat-Sun noon-7pm
Where: 156 Ludlow Street, 4th Floor; 212.643.4810

Who: Charlotte Ronson
What: Up to 70% off Fall 09 Clothing & accesories
When: December 2-4, 2009. Wed-Fri 10am-7pm
Where: 1071 Avenue of the Americas, Suite #301

Who: Kidrobot Sample Sale
What: Women's & Men's Apparel & Toys at 60-80% Off
When: December 4-6, 2009. Fri-Sun 10am-7pm
Where: Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue (b/n 15-16th St)

Who: Hanky Panky Sample Sale
What: Lingere, bridal, thongs, panties, gifts, and everday styles all $10. All thongs, buy 12 get 1 free.
When: December 1-4, 2009. Tues-Thurs, 8:30am-8pm. Fri 9am-1pm
Where: 260 Fifth Ave(b/n 28th and 29th St)

Who: Sweetface & JLO by Jennifer Lopez
What: 70%-90% Off Silk tops, dresses, leather jackets, camis, jumpers, vests, jeans, cashmere, and much more!
When: December 2-4, 2009. Wed-Fri 9am-6pm
Where: 1071 6th Ave(B/n 40th & 41st Street)

Who: Pamella Roland Sample Sale
What: All dresses will be 90%-95% off retail price. Dresses, Gowns, Jackets, Skirts, Sweaters, Pants. Mostly Sample Sizes 4 and 6.
When: December 2-4, 2009. Wed-Fri 10am-6pm
Where: 501 Seventh Avenue, Suite 300 (b/n 37th & 38th St)

Sales Next Week:
Who: AP Bags USA
What: Up to 80% off women's handbags, shoes, luggage and small leather goods from Rafe New York, Missoni shoes (limited quantities available), Mandarina Duck, Coccinelle, Barbara Hulanicki, Braccialini, Gherardini, Amazon Life and more.
Where: 85 Fifth Avenue (at 16th Street) - 12th floor
When: December 9-11, 2009. Wed-Thurs 10am-7pm. Fri 10am-5pm

Who: Lauren Merkin
What: Up to 70% off on Handbags, clutches and accessories
Where: 231 W 29th Street, suite 201 between 7th & 8th Avenues, 212.239.2459
When: December 8-12, 2009. Tues-Sat 11am-7pm

Question of the Week: Finding Nice Jeans at a Nice Price

"I need some new jeans. Any suggestions on where I can get some for a reasonable price?"
- Veronica, New York

Since you live in New York, my first suggestion would be Uniqlo. They have a variety of cuts and washes for $49.90, and there's almost always a few pairs on sale for $30-$40. For more information on the fit and quality, check my Uniqlo denim review.

Another option and great classic is Levi's. They're really expanded over the past few years and have jeans at every price point - some as high as $158.00 and some as low as $19.90. They have a great selection (and sale currently) on their website and in-stores for $40 or less.

If you live in California or New York, sample sales are another great place to look for affordable jeans. For sample sale listings, sign up for mailing lists or just keep reading Sugar Rock Catwalk! Erin always does a great job of updating our sample sales listing.

For those living in other parts of the country, check out The Warehouse Sale. They hold huge sales, and their prices are reasonable. You will have to sign up for their mailing list and RSVP to attend their events. They will often offer VIP admission the day before the sale for $5 or $10, but personally, I think they usually have enough stock to just go when it's general admission.

And finally, I would recommend Gilt Groupe, which I feel like you're all familiar with by now. They're a great resource for online shopping, especially for designer and high-end denim. Yes, online shopping for jeans can be difficult, but if you know what you like it's awesome, which brings me to my next and final point.

A shopping tip for jeans, know your brands and size in each brand. That might seem like a no brainer, but if you know your brand and your size, then you can nab them when they're on sale! So the next time you're out shopping at a department store or what have you, try everything on and make a mental note of your favorite lines and styles.