Venice Meets the Power of Sample Sales
- Emilia Furlo
- May 31, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 14, 2019
How my NYC sample sale treasure made its way into my Venetian vacation!
Sample Sales
If you're not familiar, sample sales are possibly the best thing to happen since the Jonas Brothers reunited. Sample sales are when retailers (usually smaller firms) organize a sale of sample garments for the public to purchase. During these sales, garments are significantly reduced in price, meaning that these clothes are cut-rate and will only be sold at these prices at the sample sale itself. If you live in or nearby a large city, chances are, you have access to sample sales organized by brands you know and love.
Wondering if there are sample sales going on around you?
My favorite sample sale tracking site is: www.chicmi.com. If you live in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, or London, Chicmi has a list of all sample sales happening in your area! For other cities and countries, my best advice would be to simply Google the name of your city + "sample sales" and see what comes up.
Another site for anyone living in NYC or LA is www.260samplesale.com. They host a number of sample sales for retailers each year.
Now for the business side of things: why would a retailer organize a sample sale?
One of the largest problems fashion retailers face is the threat of excess inventory. If companies do a poor job predicting what and how much their consumers will want to buy, they can end up with too many leftover unsold clothes, or inventory, sitting on shelves. When retailers have too much inventory, their money is tied up in those products and therefore, until they sell that inventory, they have less available funds on hand. For a business to be considered "healthy," they need to focus more on having available cash and less on having a lot of unsold inventory. Therefore, the better a firm can become at predicting what products will sell and how many will be demanded by consumers, the more profitable the firm will become. Now, the money that once was tied up in inventory is now readily available to be spent, saved, or invested by the firm.
My Sample Sale Experience in NYC
Every year, my sister and I join forces with our friends to scout out the best sample sales in NYC and see what we can find!
This past year, I started exploring sample sales in NYC (and as of this fall, London). Most notably, I have attended the Alice & Olivia sample sale twice, and both times have found great items! If you are in NYC or LA, the company 260 SAMPLE SALE hosts a number of sample sales each year. Through this company, I was able to attend the A&O sale!
This past summer, I went to visit the A&O sample sale and found a fabulous gown that was perfect for my European escapades this summer :) Originally priced at $1150, I purchased the gown for $174!! That is a real fact and figure for ya. If interested, you can still buy the dress on The Outnet: https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/maxi-dress_cod2243576767827676.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpd-2w66c5QIV7h-tBh0m4QgMEAQYASABEgLqmPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
The time before, I bought a gown that originally retailed for $1,395 for the same price as above, $174! I also should mention, these sample sales have more various offerings than gowns, I just for whatever reason have struck gold with more formal dresses and, if the price is right...
First timer?
If you are considering going to a sample sale for the first time, I would recommend attending the sale of a brand you love. It will make navigating the clothing racks and crowds easier, and you'll most likely know your size which cuts down on dressing room dilemmas.
Not interested in going shopping but still interested in sample sale prices?
More and more retailers are beginning to hold online sample sales! Sites like Chicmi will still alert you when your favorite brands are selling at a discount, so fear not, fashionista.
NYC to Venice
After purchasing my A&O gown this summer, I knew it had to journey with me when I studied abroad. I brought it with me to Venice this summer, and now, it is currently sitting in my closet in London ready for its next debut!
Why I love this gown: it transcends the seasons. Although I wore this gown in the summer, the darker color palette gives way for it to be similarly sported in the winter. It packs easily into any suitcase and is relatively lightweight. Just remember, with any precious wrinkle-prone clothing, to cover it in plastic (or if you're so inclined, a garment bag) to keep it looking fresh.
How to Style Bold Garments: For colorful and patterned outfits, tread lightly with jewelry and shoe choices. Less is more in this case! Try to pick garments that, while bold, are still flattering to your figure and make you feel comfortable. At the end of the day, it's all about confidence.
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