You’re probably among the many disappointed in missing out on snagging that coveted piece from the Balmain x H&M collection, or you read the best advice ever on how to score and you’re sitting pretty with your shiny new embellished wardrobe addition. Either way, there is a better shopping event happening in Soho right now. Right now as in drop whatever you’re doing if you are within a few hours of New York City and come make your year with a little trip to the Derek Lam sample sale.

I’ve already been twice. The first was yesterday following some spring collection previews in the area. My son was with the babysitter already so I thought I’d casually pop in. I soon realized this was no ordinary sample sale, as they have CURRENT SEASON COLLECTION PIECES AND SPRING SUMMER RUNWAY JAMS NOT EVEN IN STORES YET. Yes. Seriously. I had my eye on this Zip Front Turtleneck Cardigan as an in-my-wildest-wet-sweater-dreams fantasy type of thing ever since we made eyes at the Fall 2015 show, and was floored to see it in perfect non-sample condition at the sale. However, when I reached checkout, I was told it was a COAT and not a KNIT and therefore it would cost twice as much. I went home feeling defeated but proud of myself for refraining from blowing over $400 on a sweater, even if it was one of the most gorgina KNITS (I stand by this as it was on the sweater rack and is listed UNDER SWEATERS ON DEREKLAM.COM but I digress) I’ve ever seen with my own ojos.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the sweater, and when I received an email the following morning that 260 Sample Sale is now taking an extra 40% off I took it as a sign from the Fashion Gods (Joan, Karl, Anna) that I should go back to the sale and if the cardigan is there I shall buy it and give it the life it deserves (getting barfed on by an infant). It was there, the very last one, this time tucked in the coat section, of course. They sure showed me!

I also scooped up this perfectly oversized slouchy current season sweater (that’s currently retailing for $1,790!) for $117 to replace my favorite black cardi that has been murdered by moths and a fringed cashmere jam from the spring collection that is not even out yet (I’ll be sharing pics on instagram) for $75! Ironically, the black cardi is called The Cardigan Coat, and it was billed at the sample sale as a knit.

The moral of the story is this: who needs Balmain x H&M when you can have real deal Derek Lam runway collection handmade wool sweaters for less? This sample sale is truly the stuff wet sweater dreams are made of and then some. I’ll be back looking for a second black cardi for my cousin / shopping partner in crime. Trust me, it’s triple trip worthy.

P.S. Word of warning: they are not allowing strollers with babies, but they are allowing strollers with dogs (the woman ahead of me, I kid you not). I was asked to leave my stroller at the door (second trip) and to carry my son around while I shopped. It was tough on my new mom back and hard to shop with one hand but he loved it. Definitely my child.

It’s on through this Monday the 8th, at 151 Wooster Street between W Broadway and Prince.

Happy shopping! Feel free to leave any sample sale shopping tips below.

xo

BB