STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

It varies a lot. Like carmenb, most of the ones I've gone to have been fairly calm or even totally dead but a few have been pretty insanely crowded. It's usually the more popular brands or giant sales that get crazy. Nine West usually has a sale twice a year in midtown and the line is often around the block. Other really crowded sales I've been to are: J Crew, Intermix, Tracy Reese.

In terms of tips...as carmen said lots of them don't have fitting rooms and some won't even let you try stuff on so it helps to know your size. Also you usually can't return things so make sure you really like it and think it will fit, or think about whether you can sell it on ebay if it doesn't work out. Some sales are still cash only but most take credit cards.

I've been buying almost all of my wardrobe at sample sales for the last five years and have seen the best and worst come out in people. No matter how much I want something, I follow the golden rule to treat people how I want to be treated. So no matter how much someone is being a complete and utter pain by hogging the mirror or being very grabby, I won't stoop to that level. And I am very nice to the people working the sales because sometimes they have the authority to mark down items even more.

I try to wear boy shorts and a tight fitting cami when shopping and shoes that are easy to slip on and off. I carry a bag that I can sling across my body instead of one that has to be carried in my hand. If you're wearing pants, and there's no dressing room, use one at the sale as a means for some privacy.

If something is even mildly damaged, ask for a discount. The worst they can do is say no. But they rarely do.

For sales that are cash only, I won't take any cash with me. Instead, I decide what I want, figure out how much it costs and then I'll have the clerk hold my things and get cash. that way I have a better idea of what I'll be spending.

My scores would be a sample DVF dress for $25. It was a true sample and I've never seen it anywhere else. I bought a pair of Michael Kors boots for $49 that I won in a coin toss at the Intermix sale. A real prada bag for $25. A pair of JCrew leather boots for $1. At my first DVF sale they were selling Christian Louboutin shoes for $100. I bought a pair of red velvet slingbacks with dangly rhinestones on the side that I ended up wearing to my wedding a few years later. (I LOVE those shoes.)

Also, get on the mailing lists of as many shops as you can. Dailycandy.com is excellent. New York magazine and Time Out New York have excellent listings.

At one sale, a New York Times reporter was there doing an article about sample sales and how women learn to try on clothes without a dressing room and without showing too much. Two days later I arrived at work and a coworker says to me: "I saw you in the paper today." There I was, half undressed, but nothing really was showing. Luckily, because I work at paper with a very conservative editorial page. It was the talk of the morning news meeting.

As you can see, I love shopping. This week I will be hitting DVF, Tocca, Theory, Kangol and Eugenia Kim.

Best,
Deborah