Sample Sale Finds & How to Find Them

My Favorite Sample Sale Apps/ Publications that you NEED if you do not have:

260 Sample Sale, Clothing Line, and the app Shop Drop! There also are some sample sales for higher end brands in New York magazines such as Time Out New York (which is always free and handed out on the street).

With retail stores on every block of New York, online shopping at our fingertips, and Instagram with “Swipe Up” links that easily take you to products, it is really hard to stay on budget and not pull out the credit card on a weekly basis. (Let’s get real a daily basis).

BUT, the little thing that always gets me to put the hanger back on the rack or put my card back in my wallet is waiting for sample sales. The best sample sales in my opinion are when you work for a retailer. For HBC when I was at Lord and Taylor they had Chanel sample sales. YES CHANEL. Which never goes on sale ever! Yes they are older styles, and may have a flaw, and will still be over a grand, but that is literally a once in a lifetime experience. **yes there is a bag purchase limit per customer. Sometimes they do not let you hold more than 2 bags on your body so you cannot hoard things or save them until your friend arrives.  They also had Celine sample sales, and for the mixture of Saks, Gilt, and Lord & Taylor product, they even go up to 90% off, or $1.00 for everything at the end of the sample sale day. The Holiday Party also had many free goodies and sales.

Now at ANN INC. they have sample sales where the most expensive thing is $20.00. Most items are only $5.00! These are not just ANN INC brands such as Ann Taylor, LOFT, LOFT Outlet, ATF factory or Lou and Grey, but also samples that they bought to bring to production! So yes there is a chance that you may get a Sezane sweater for $10.00, or a new winter coat for $20.00.

Beauty companies have the best gratis! When I worked as an LVMH intern we got so many free LVMH brand products and perfumes. I now have enough Fresh face masks and chapsticks for a lifetime. There was always a table upstairs on Friday’s with free products, and whenever there was something new, they would typically hand it out to everyone to give it a try. I mean even with a discount, you do not always want to buy all of the new items, so this corporate initiative is a great way to get not only their associates, but their associates following and friends/ family hooked on products! My roommate gifted me a bag full of Darphin the French beauty brand, and Christophe Robin hair products which I am forever grateful for.

My Favorite Sample Sale Apps/ Publications that you NEED if you do not have:

260 Sample Sale, Clothing Line, and the app Shop Drop! There also are some sample sales for higher end brands in New York magazines such as Time Out New York (which is always free and handed out on the street).

I have gotten for example a Rachel Zoe dress for $40.00, and a Rebecca Minkoff bag for $30.00! *Always watch their Instagram stories or sign up for emails to be able to see the pricing before. Also do your research! For example the full line Marc Jacobs line will be 50-60-70% off, but things are still going to be $1,000+ because they are almost 10 grand to begin with.

*DO NOT go the first day of the sample sale unless you are a real die hard fan of the brand. The prices will DROP significantly toward the end of the sale. They may even have productions samples brought out for even cheaper, or a “deal of the day.”

*Wear Something with Pockets: Most places have you check any sort of jacket, your purse, basically the only thing you can have in your hands is your wallet and phone. I have seen women literally throws fits over this. Your bag will not be stolen, it is check behind a counter. But overall if just makes it harder to hold onto things if you are planning on buying a handful of things.

*There is NO LIMIT for 260 Sample Sale: I have seen people buy baskets FULL of the same item. Clearly they are re-selling these or doing something somewhat shady. But the cashiers only care about the payment being approved.

*Be Ready to Commit! Sample sales are always FINAL SALE. You could use every excuse in the book, but the fine print on the receipt tells all. Typically lines are not terrible, but in the summer or during a lunch hour get ready for long lines!

Advice: Sample sales are great for gifts, or even planning ahead if you know you will be going to an event down the road. Also keep an open mind during them! Typically you cannot try anything on for 260 Sample Sale (and you will be asked to leave if they catch you trying things on with multiple warnings).

Payment: I have never been to a cash only sample sale. They do accept major credit cards. I am not sure if checks are allowed, but I would assume that they are not.

My $20.00 Outfit: *Photos by Cao Qingkang

Long light blush Zara blazer with gold sailor buttons, gold and green toned shimmer Ann Taylor turtleneck, and a LOFT Outlet woven skirt. These were my sample sale items.

Used from my own wardrobe: Black tights, silver shimmer socks, and white heeled booties.