A Fashion Editor's Guide To Sample Sales

We all love designer clothing and accessories, but most of us wish that the steep designer prices were lower. So what is a fashionista to do? Shop sample sales of course! Sample sales typically is a means for retail businesses to discard extra merchandise from their showrooms. The clothing was usually worn on the catwalk and on photo shoots. Sample sales are a great way to get near to perfect clothing and accessories at a fraction of the retail price.

How To Find Sample Sales

In Print
Many local newspapers and magazines list sample sales. New York Magazine and Time Out NY are two titles that are known for their heavy coverage of sample sales. Fashion trade publications also list upcoming and current sample sales.

Email
Sign up for designers' newsletters on their websites and rest assured when they have a sample sale they will send you an email dishing out all the details of the sale.

Online
Sample sales are difficult to come by, but with the power of the Internet finding sample sales is a cinch. My favorite website for sample sale hunting is http://www.samplesaleforum.com/ a cool new site that lets members list up-to-the-minute sample sales and connect with fashionistas nationwide. The site lists physical sample sales happening right now in New York City and Los Angeles and also online sample sales from top online sample sale sites including Gilt and Editor's Closet.

What To Look For At Sample Sales
It's easy to get excited at a sample sale and purchase everything you see. Keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure it fits your body now.
• Check that all seams, hems, buttons and zippers are in tact.
• Only buy an item if you are absolutely in love with it, if you only wear the item once then it's not really a deal.

How To Survive At A Sample Sale

Sample sales somehow bring out the bad in some, remember the sample sale scene from Confessions of A Shopaholic? They can be packed with fashionistas all vying for the Gucci Jackie O bag on sale at 60% off. Some things to keep in mind when shopping sample sales:

• Arrive early. At least a half hour before the sale starts.
• Bring cash. This way you won't over spend and regret it, seeing as most sample sales are final sale.
• Dress lightly. There are rarely dressing rooms at sample sales so be smart and wear minimal clothing and easy to take off shoes to try on things easily.

Sample sales are a great way to cultivate a closet full of designer clothing for a steal. Happy shopping and good luck fashionistas!

Copyright ©2009 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

HM How To | Dress for a Themed Party

Poker party. Masquerade. Sports day. Halloween. We've all had those moments where we get invited to a themed party and have no idea what to wear or how to make something work. Regardless of if you're rocking it out in Manhattan to a 70's inspired birthday party for a girlfriend, or dancing at the hippest club in Los Angeles with a sports theme, here are some tips to keep in mind when dressing up for a night with a theme.

Keep the theme in mind. As lame or strange as the theme is, if someone has invited you to a themed party, then try to stick to the dress code. With something like a Hollywood theme, bold and statement are definite ways to go. This Phillip Lim allows you to remain fashionable while well within the theme's limit.
Think of words that you can link the theme to. I've been invited to a number of different outdoors and summer-themed picnic parties. Words that can often be associated to these would be 'spring' and 'floral' and 'flowy,' much like this Roberto Cavalli floral blouse.

Accessorize with the theme. Sometimes, it's the little things that make a big difference. I've found that some of the places that you can be the most meticulous is in jewelry and when you're accessorizing. I've personally never been invited to an Egyptian-themed party, but if I did, I would definitely be adding this Anita Ko ring to my accessories list.


Don't overdo it. While it's great to be a part of the party and the theme, you also don't want to overdo it and become the laughingstock of the night. Sometimes, I find it better to focus the bold on one specific aspect that will link you to the theme and go for something simpler along with it. For example, this Philip Crangi anchor pendant would be great for an ocean theme with a crisp white shirt and simplistic clothes.

So remember that no matter what theme it is, there's always a way to be a part of it, regardless of it's through the way you dress, accessorize, or even act. Above all, have fun with the theme! It's a great way to be original and fun at the same time.