Christian Siriano Sample Sale Report August 2015

Hello my little ducklings,

I've missed you so much. You have no idea. I'm taking a break from recapping for a while so I will finally have the time to tend to this blog again. Enough chatter. That can wait. This is less of a comprehensive review and more of a tip. Let's see if I still remember how to do this.

The sale is taking place as usual at the Christian Siriano boutique at 252 Elizabeth Street. The sale begins today, August 20 and runs through Sunday, August 23. Hours are 10:00 am to 7:00 pm daily except on Sunday when hours are 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

You'll have to decide for yourself what you want to tackle first; shoes or apparel. The shoes are spread out at the foot of the racks throughout the store. You'll mainly find stiletto high heels (we're talking 3-4 inches average) that are probably best for parties but there are also some more conservative black heels that are still high but better for work. I did spy a few pairs of flats but I wouldn't go to this sale looking for them. Shoes are not arranged by size and there only a few styles are available in multiple sizes.

As for the apparel, you'll find pieces from all seasons though I didn't see a lot that would stand up to this humid summer heat we've been dealing with. Heavier spring dresses that wouldn't look out of place at a garden party or baby shower are closest to the door in dreamy blue shades. Prices are marked and vary greatly in this section. Sizes 2-6 will do best as they will throughout the sale though I was able to find pieces in sizes 8-12 on all the racks.

Past the spring dresses are the bulk of the real markdowns. The main price points seemed to be $50, $100, $150, and $300. $50 items were generally separates though not all separates were $50. There were not many of these. You're much more likely to find something you like priced at $100 as that was the price point for the majority of the cocktail dresses. Again, sizes 2-6 will do best hunting for pieces in this section. I only saw one genuine sample. I also found some $150 items, mainly skirts. On the opposite side of the store you'll find the heavier fall pieces where the price points increase to the $300+ mark. Next to the rack of fall pieces you'll find the gowns and couture items. While discounted, expect to still pay $900+ for these items.

Christian Siriano/Erin Fetherston SAMPLE SALE REPORT November 2012

Hi chickadees!

I'm just back from the Christian Siriano/Erin Fetherson Sample Sale happening for one day only at 252 Elizabeth St from 11am-7pm. So far there's not a lot of traffic, so it you'd like to go, I'd suggest running out now because there's not a huge selection.

Sadly, quite soon after my arrival I was told they didn't allow pictures so I don't have too much to show you.

Clothes: There are two racks of Christian Siriano sample sale items. The first rack (closer to the door) was generally priced a bit higher. Most items were priced around $300. There was a lot of black but also a little orange cape and chartreuse pants. There was actually more outerwear that I was expecting, some heavy wool coats (mostly jackets) and a few jackets.

The second rack was priced a bit lower with a lot of $100-$150 items. The second rack had a lot of cocktail dresses with the dramatic flair that anyone who watched season 4 of Project Runway would expect from Christian. Sweeping lines, pleating, ruching. There was a nice mix of textures and fabrics. There were some gorgeous printed silk dresses...simple, structured 50s style silhouettes...very short, dramatic cocktail dresses in chartreuse...more short sequined cocktail dresses. There wasn't a huge selection so sizing was all over the place. I think I saw everything from size 0 to 10 but most of the clothes were for smaller sizes. I did find quite a few items for size 6 though.



The Erin Fetherston rack also had a lot of variety. Secretly, I was hoping for more of the graphic Erin by Erin Fetherston looks from her most recent collection. The Erin Fetherston items felt like a departure from the heavyness and drama and well, black of Christian's items. There were cocktail dresses, and a lot of pleating, and lighter colors. There was a very affordable mint green top for $25 but most items were dresses priced at around $70. I had the sense that they were mostly smaller sizes but it was hard to tell given the lack of size tags.

Regularly priced non-sample sale Christian Siriano fall items are also on display.

Dressing Room: There is only one enclosed dressing room which I was lucky enough to get into. It has a full length mirror and is decently sized for a small room. Otherwise, you can change outside behind a rack of clothes. There are two mirrors outside in this area as well as a chair.

Checkout: I paid with a credit card so I'm not sure if you can pay with cash as well. With the credit card they let you sign on an iPad.

Staff: The staff around the dressing room are quite nice but while they don't give you a hard sell, they try and sell you on everything. Nothing fits incorrectly. Everything looks good. Everything is supposed to look that way. It's a lot of that. The staff milling about near the checkout was borderline obnoxious. No one has quite matched the rudeness of the staff they hire for the Elie Tahari sample sales but I found the girls near the checkout quite condescending and aloof. The one who handed me my bag gave me such a dirty look, and this was after I had just made a purchase.

PICTURES... I didn't say there were no pictures ;)