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Designer Duds
for Less
Can't live
without your Calvin or Carolina, but can't bear shelling out the
cash? We've done the research on where to get the labels you lust
for without leaving you broke.
BY T SAHARA MEER
discounted
designer
Find Outlet
Labels on the color-coordinated racks change frequently, but we've
spotted Katayone Adeli, Helmut Lang, and Paige Novick — all
for at least half off (mostly under $100). And don't miss the $5
and $10 bins. The downside? With miniscule dressing rooms and a
perpetual crowd of intrepid bargain hunters, Find isn't for the
claustrophobic.
• 361 W. 17th St., 212-243-3177.
• 229 Mott St., 212-226-5167; findoutlet.com.
LoftWorks
This downtown storefront in TriBeCa has three floors of designers
like Prada, Gucci and Armani for up to 80% off. High ceilings, large
fitting rooms, and a helpful staff make it feel more like a trendy
flagship than a bargain boutique.
• 100 Lafayette St., between White and Walker Sts.; 212.343.8088,
loftworkslafayette.com.
Gabay's Outlet
Are you wandering the aisles at Bergdorf's, wishing it could all
be yours? Well now it can (for about 60 percent less). This East
Village shop gets most of its merch from the midtown department
store's surplus, so you can be sure to find deals on fashion-hound
faves like Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs, and Chanel. The occassional
Blahnik or Choo will pop up, but be sure to join the mailing list
for weekly shipment alerts, so you can be there at opening time
to snag them.
• 225 First Ave., between 13th and 14th Sts. 212-254-3180,
gabaysoutlet.com.
Century 21
We realize that we're not letting any secret out here, but in all
our travels there is no other store that compares as a bargain hunter's
dream for designer wear. Savings of up to 75% are the norm on everything
from La Perla lingerie to couture Gaultier gowns to Robert Clergerie
pumps. Sometimes it's survival of the fittest, with all the clawing
and pawing going on amidst the racks, but if you're true to your
game, you can score big.
• 472 86th St., near Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, 718-748-3266
.
• 22 Cortlandt St., between Church St. and Broadway; 212-227-9092,
c21stores.com.
designer consignment shops
Beacon's Closet
This chic shop is especially popular with stylists looking for a
turn-around on post-shoot garb. There's a great selection of used
or vintage pieces, hip downtown basic, and high-end designer names.
On any given trip you can score such finds as a Calvin Klein dress
for $40, a Martin Margiela tank top for $10, or a pair of Dries
van Noten boots for $20.
• 88 N. 11th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-486-0816.
• 220 5th Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-230-1630; beaconscloset.com.
Designer
Resale Corp.
Make sure you pay attention to the color-coded items, because merchandise
is reduced by 20 percent after 30 days and by half after 60 days.
Keep that in mind as you're skimming the racks loaded with Joseph
Abboud (suits are $150), Chanel, and Armani.
• 324 E. 81st St., 212-734-3639.
• Gentleman's Resale Clothing, 322 E. 81st St., 212-734-2739.
• Children's Resale Clothing, 303 E. 81st St., 212-734-3639; resaleclothing.org.
Encore
Designer
The first New York City shop of its kind, Encore was founded in
1954 as a place for ladies-who-lunch to unload their old clothes
for a bit of cash. Most things here are less than two years old
and cost a fraction of what they once did. A recent trip uncovered
a black Donna Karan blazer ($125), a Jil Sander cashmere jacket
($300), and a big Tod's bag ($550).
• 1132 Madison Ave., near 84th St., second fl.; 212-879-2850,
encoreresale.com.
Ina
Ina scores barely worn (if ever) styles by the hottest designers
-- Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Comme des Garçons -- from local
models and fashion insiders and passes them on for less than half
the original prices. Look for Burberry raincoats (under $200), Prada
and Gucci evening dresses (from $200 to $400), Calvin Klein tops,
and Versace pants.
• 21 Prince St., near Elizabeth St.; 212-334-9048.
• 101 Thompson St., near Prince St.; 212-941-4757
• 208 E. 73rd St. between Second and Third Aves.; 212.249.0014,
inanyc.com.
• Ina Men, 262 Mott St., near Houston St.; 212-334-2210
.
national chain outlets
United Colors of Benetton
Hop the 7 train to Queens for great deals (up to 70 percent off
retail) on the Italian brand's teeny tees, short shorts, bright
swimsuits, and other youthful, sporty staples for both men and women.
• 40-06 Main Street, at Roosevelt Ave., Flushing; 718-461-7777,
benetton.com.
Eileen
Fisher
Fisher's simple mix-and-match cotton and linen separates are comfortable,
casual, and always roomy. The East Village clearance location offers
bargains on casual work-to-weekend staples like boat-neck tank dresses
and cropped crepe pants. Samples start at 35 percent off; seconds
start at 50 percent off.
• 314 E. 9th St.; 212-529-5715, eileenfisher.com.
Nine
West
The popular source for trendy, affordable shoes has two Brooklyn
outlets that are easily accessible by subway (Q to Kings Highway
and R to 86th Street). Deep discounts on Nine West's already-low
prices (retail, averaging $29.99 to $129.99) are so worth the trek.
• 1419 Kings Highway, at 14th St.; 718-376-0286
• 420 86th St., between Fourth and Fifth Aves.; 718-748-4250,
ninewest.com.
online shops
Bluefly.com
It's no wonder that this discount site has been a fashionista favorite
for over four years. It's got everything a well-dressed girl could
want: hundreds of designers—from Balenciaga to Burberry,
Theory to Tracy Reese—and thousands of items including shoes,
handbags, and jewelry for up to 75 percent off. Shipping is cheap
and returning is a breeze.
• bluefly.com.
Girlshop.com
This New York-based shopping site specializes in ultra-trendy downtown
designers. Check out their sample sale section to get up to 75 percent
off of groovy raiments and accessories from hip houses like Lulu
Guinness, C. Ronson, and Jessie Della Femina.
• girlshop.com.
Flip
Flop Trunk Show.com
They may bill themselves as being "all sandals, all the time,"
but there's a lot more to this site than just designer slides, thongs,
and mules. A trip to their sale page can yield must-haves like Free People Totes, Sophomore tees, and Douglas Paquette belts for up to 50 percent
off.
• flipfloptrunkshow.com.
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