Feeding the Shopping Addiction

Color me exited!  Racked has created their first Vintage 38 list.  While I have only actually been to the Decades brick and mortar location on Melrose, since the list has been published, I have already book marked a number of websites and noted some more stores on my to do lists for my next visits to Los Angeles and New York.  If you are a fan of finding some hard to find designer pieces, this list will become your friend.

Alexander McQueen's 1995 Highland Rape collection revolved around the Jacobite Risings and the Highland Clearances and introduced the McQueen Tartan for the first time. It was also the collection that cemented McQueen as a mover and shaker in the world of high fashion.  The Widows of Culloden, the 2006 Alexander McQueen Women's Autumn/Winter collection, revisited the Jacobite Risings which culminated with the final defeat of the Jacobites by the English in the Battle of Culloden.

The collection was full of nipped waists and augmented hip lines, all designed to exaggerate a woman's form.  The pieces were beautifully handcrafted.  The below was one of the looks from the runway...


I have long been looking for an Alexander McQueen piece in the tartan.  Lo and behold, eBay had an auction for this skirt a few weeks ago, and I won it.

Here is a photo of the skirt, which is now happily hanging in my closet.  I am still so excited that I was able to find this piece and was fortunate enough to win the auction to add it to my collection.

As I have upcoming trips to London and Los Angeles (which both happen to have Alexander McQueen stores), it is inevitable that I will make a purchase.  McQueen has dresses in a lot of the hot hues for Fall/Winter 2012 including aubergine, dark red, bright red, and green.  The big question now is: Which dress should I buy?

First, there is this blood red knitted dress.  Dark red is a must have for this fall, and the color and full skirt are features I really like about this dress.

Next, there is this cherry wool dress.  This particular shade of red is my favorite color and is also a must have for fall.  Like the dress above, the color and full skirt are features I really like about this dress.  

Of course, all bets are off if they have this particular dress in a shade of red.  On the website they only have it in bottle green (pictured here) and black. I am not without hope as, in my experience, the stores have things in stock not on the website.  I love this style of dress, so I am wishing and hoping that they did it in a shade of red as well.  I shall see shortly either way.

So, if you could choose, which would it be?  

Sample Sales in New York are one of the main things I miss about living in the city.  The savvy shopper knew that there were listings of the latest and greatest sample sales in New York Magazine.  Sales such as Alexander McQueen, Christian Louboutin, Theory, Tory Burch etc... would have lines out the door.  Some sales had a great selection.  Others, not so much.  In addition to the individual designer sample sales, there were some sample sale businesses that would rotate sales (such as Clothingline) of various brands.

Unfortunately, Houston is not the designer hotbed that New York is, and I found myself going through withdrawals. Fortunately, there are a number of online sample sale sites that help slake the withdrawal.   

Ideeli

Ideeli was one of the first sites I found after leaving New York.  Ideeli has a two tier membership structure.  Everyone that signs up is automatically a second row member.  Sales for second row members start at 11 a.m. CT.  Ideeli also has a paid premium membershp (First Row) for roughly $85 a year that entitles members to enter sales an hour early as well as entry to any First Row only sales.

Initially, Ideeli was my go to site for sunglasses, however, they changed their business model, and purchases now take a long time to arrive.  They occasionally have great sales, but in general, they are not the same quality that they used to be.

Gilt

Gilt was probably the second site I found.  Gilt has a special place in my heart as it is where I bought my first real Alexander McQueen dress (a black, three quarter sleeve knit dress). Gilt occasionally has Alexander McQueen and McQ sales and even more often have Alexander McQueen and McQ items in some of their more general sales (like One of a Kind Designer pieces or Designer Dresses, etc...).

This is the Alexander McQueen Dress I bought from Gilt. (Photo of same style dress from eBay).

Gilt usually has a very good variety of sales and has new flash sales 7 days a week which start at 11 a.m. CT.  Like all flash sale sites, the good stuff goes early.  Many times I have been interested in a sale, and got caught in a meeting or on a conference call and have missed out.  In addition, Gilt lists its upcoming sample sales up to 4 days in advance.  They used to have it so you could add it to your Outlook or Google Calendar, but they removed that feature.  I would love to see them bring it back.

In addition to women's fashion, Gilt also has men's and children's fashion as well as items for the home.  In addition, Jetsetter is their travel site and they also have a gourmet food site as well.    

Rue La La

I cannot recall how I found Rue La La, but it was the third of these sites I ever ordered from.  Rue La La, like Gilt and Ideeli, has flash sales that last a day or two.  The flash sales range from clothing, shoes, and accessories for women, men and children to cookware and furniture to food and wine.  Rue La La regularly has Le Creuset and Picnic at Ascot sales.

My Habit and Belle & Clive

Both of these sites are recent additions to my sample sale repertoire.  My Habit has tons of women's sales the first half of the week.  For instance, this week, Monday through Friday, they have 34 women's flash sales including Chris Benz, Peter Som, Christian Siriano, Natori, and Derek Lam. 

Belle & Clive tends to have more haute couture than any other website I have found.   Belle & Clive usually only lists their sales a few days in advance.  Last week, they had an Alexander McQueen bangles sale, and this week they have an upcoming Prada sale.

The flash sales at both My Habit and Belle & Clive tend to last a bit longer than the flash sales at the other three sites above, however, like all sample sales, the most popular items will sell out quickly.

No matter the site, with flash sales, there are a number of things in common.  Check the start time.  While each site has a usual start time, occasionally, some of the sales have unusual start times.  The popular items will go quickly, so even if the flash sale lasts a while, it is smart to check it out early so if there is something you cannot live without, you have a chance to purchase it before they are sold out.  And finally, each sale will last a different amount of time so like the start time, make sure to check that info.  Happy Shopping!

Last Friday, I stopped into Tootsies to try on the Tory Burch Calista riding boots I had fallen in love with and discussed here.  When trying them on, I was dismayed to learn that they did not zip over my calf and the lining in the shaft of the boot does not allow for much stretch.  So it is back to the drawing board.  

I have spent some time since Friday perusing online to see if I can find anything else that catches my fancy.  I was able to find this MICHAEL Michael Kors Fulton harness boot in solid black for $295 (which is $200 less than the $495 than I was planning on spending on the Tory Burch boots).  Fortunately, there are Michael Kors stores locally in the Houston area (The Galleria and The Woodlands).

Tonight, I had to make a very, very tough decision. Alexander McQueen's online end of season sale (prices currently at 60% off) is still going strong.  It just so happens they still have a dress and a belt in my size that I have lusted after.



However, if I bought one or the other (or both) now, I would not be able to buy anything substantial when I go to London in September and visit the Alexander McQueen flagship on Old Bond Street (or Selfridges, or Liberty, or Harrods, etc...), thus, the dilemma.

Ultimately, my strong feelings for some of the new season selections won out (and the possibility to take advantage of some arbitrage opportunities), so I am holding off until my trip to London.  Here is hoping they have one of these items in the size I need!

Less than a week ago I shared how eBay can be addicting with the thrill of the auction and the adrenaline you get from winning.  I had started watching a navy Alexander McQueen skirt suit.

Bidding was set to start at $88.00 and there were no bids on the item.  The auction was scheduled to end on Tuesday around 4:20 pm or so.  I checked back periodically to see if any bids had been placed.  About 2-3 hours before the end of the auction, I noted that a bid had finally been placed.  With about an hour left to go, I placed my bid.  Alas, it was not meant to be.  I was outbid at the very last second (after revising my max bid upward 3-4 times in that last hour) by $2.50.  Alas, that is how eBay works.  So now this suit belongs in my losses gallery.

Prior to the first post about Houston shopping due to drop on July 15th, I thought I would run down a number of online sites that have been my go-to over the years.  So without further ado...

This may sound odd, but if I am looking for something particular, one of the first places I go is...eBay.

For instance, I have started collecting Alexander McQueen red dresses.  I love red, I love Alexander McQueen, and dresses are my fashion weakness, so this is a no-brainer.  In the last 12 months I have scored two red, prior season dresses and have been wildly happy with them.  As usual with online auctions, there is a risk that you will not get the item due to someone outbidding you at the last minute (happened to me with an awesome orange McQueen dress) or simply going past your "what am I willing to pay for this" threshold (this happens frequently).  However, an added bonus of the auction is the added pop of adrenaline and giddiness you feel when you win.  

However, eBay is not without its risks.  As with any online marketplace, there are going to be fraudsters, so buyer beware.  Never be afraid to ask for more pictures of an item or to ask for more details.  Most buyers are more than happy to oblige.  Also, if they require payment via Western Union, stay far, far away.  Lastly, try and stick with sellers who are top-rated and have higher feedback scores.  I have been fortunate in dealing with some folks who are simply eBay newbies who have lower feedback scores, but the feedback they did have was glowing.  Admittedly, I did pepper them with questions and they were all very patient and wonderful sellers.  However, I know this is not the case with everyone, so just be cautious.  Above all else, if a deal is too good to be true (New Hermes Kelly Handbag for $100), it probably is.

Here are a few of my wins...