no luck at two sample sales

In New York, one could probably go to a sample sale every day of the week. I use two primary sources to hear of them: Madison Avenue Spy (http://madisonavespy.blogspot.com) and Sample Sally (http://samplesally.com).  

I often go, but rarely buy.  In the past year, I think I’ve bought one Bindya scarf (I like and have worn), a few things at Jil Sander (I still like but have never worn — they were purchased a year ago), and a set of sheets at Frette (I now much prefer Matouk).  But going is entertaining.  Stripping down in public.  Rummaging through racks of items.  Considering pieces you'd probably pass over on a normal shopping day.  Everyone hoping to find that one must-have piece, marked down 90%, and miraculously in your size.

I have a major wedding coming up in October; my nephew Jason is getting married.  There will be many events planned around it.  Amanda (Jason’s fiancée) and her family are in the fashion business, as is Jason’s family.  Everyone will be exquisitely dressed.  I am already stressing out  about the clothes.

So today I go downtown to a couple of sample sales by two designers I like:  Thakoon and Yigal Azrouël. 

My first stop is Yigal Azrouël.  I am somewhere near Chinatown, on Grand Street.  There is a short wait, but I don’t mind.  It is a gorgeous spring day.  I imagine finding the perfect dress.  Instead, I find nothing. Everything is haphazardly hanging, with no apparent order.

I try on one orange skirt  with a red zipper.  It looks chic on the hanger and ridiculous on me.  I contemplate a plain white top, for a nanosecond.  This is not why I am here, and this is not what I need.  I leave with nothing.

I next walk over to a neighborhood west of Soho.  The sample sale for Thakoon is actually in their showroom.  This will be so much nicer, I think.  No lines,  In fact, no shoppers.

I soon see why.  The prices are low but so is the inventory.  I try on a long black jersey dress; it reminds me of one I wore when I was pregnant.   The pleasant guy sitting by himself at the long checkout table says, “They’ll be bringing out a lot of new items, in a an hour or so.”  I don’t consider waiting, and  leave here empty handed too.

So the good news is I spend no money, and easily make my Fuel Band Goal.  The bad news?  I still have nothing to wear for all the upcoming wedding festivities.  FortunatelyI still have time.

Addendum:
My friend Jill wrote and told me of another site that lists sample sales:  http://ny.racked.com/archives/2013/04/29/may_sample_sales_1.php