298: If you're not early, you're late
Early Black Friday starts earlier, plus Desert Vintage at Moda, the OG boat shoe, and my new Gucci coat.
You know what I woke up this morning thinking about? The vintage Giorgio Armani leather jacket I wrote about back in April and wish I’d kept for myself. (The new old thing I have a crush on in that realm is this sculpted ‘90s D&G leather trench.) I still wonder who brought it home with them.
Last week, I wrote about a Saint Laurent mini dress on resale I was heavily considering for the many holiday parties ahead. That, too, got yoinked before I decided I should just add it to cart myself. (Now my sights are on this Paco Rabanne disc tunic that I’m wondering if might be long enough on me to wear as a dress…with tights, maybe?) In that same send, I also mentioned this Chanel runway piece listed for under $700 that disappeared so quickly, only to hear from
that it was she who’d snapped it up. (Non-buyers feeling remorse can find versions of it here and here, though don’t expect to see that price again.)A couple days later, I posted a note about Zoe Kravitz’s boob-cutout Saint Laurent dress from her Catwoman tour being listed on The RealReal, and within, like, three minutes, it was sold. Not gonna lie, that one hurt! (On the topic of Saint Laurent, if these were my size I would’ve bought them yesterday—the flats weight heavy on my wishlist.)
But all is well, because every once in a while I am capable of keeping my trap shut and keeping something one-of-a-kind to myself while I work up the nerve to act. This morning, I unboxed the FW99 Tom Ford for Gucci leopard-print rabbit fur coat I’d switched on store credit payouts for and slowly saved up to buy. It’s going for 15 thousand dollars on eBay, and there’s a jacket version on 1stDibs for $10,000…my out of pocket for the coat was a couple thousand, an investment in my archive for sure, but the market analysis makes me feel like I got a good deal.
It was a take-off-my-pajamas-put-on-last-night’s-shoes kind of try on…anything less and I’d have to return it.
There are so many good sales happening right now (if you’re viewing this in email, I promise you it’s worth reading past the cutoff), and while we all do try to act with a bit of reserve and whit, it’s worth remembering the evergreen deals to be found on resale. Looking at my RealReal and Gem wishlists has the positive effect of helping me assess how much I actually want something new that’s on sale, when that same discounted dollar amount might get me way farther buying vintage or pre-owned. Just a little thought, and maybe something to keep in mind during a week that tends to promote some questionable consumption.
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Magasin’s gift guides aren’t coming until early December, but I’m trying to be mindful of people who aren’t incorrigible last-minute shoppers like me. Here’s an idea that works for almost anyone: a pair of Sperrys. Not only does the brand pre-date the current boat shoe wave by some eighty-odd years (the style was literally invented by Paul Sperry in 1937), it’s also still the very best to do it, at a price that doesn’t hurt to look at. The OG is $110. This slightly heeled pair is on sale for less than $50. Sperry’s entire boat shoe arsenal works just as well on either side of the knows-what-Miu-Miu-is divide.
I think it’s a net good that Cristaseya is as elusive as it is. I was speaking with someone last night who regretting walking away from a coat they tried on in store, and I have to say, it’s not often an article of clothing can produce that kind of pained tug anymore. Cristaseya does, though. Its online store, an ephemeral digital footprint that’s active for just a few days every couple months, is open until the 25th with some new pieces mixed in—I have tabs open for these funny flip flops and this mixed-tartan cape.
For those in their soft feminine era (or for those who want to be), the Desert Vintage trunk show at Moda Operandi may have something to offer. The gem of the Lower East Side (and Tucson!) is offering ornate vintage alongside complementary pieces from their in-house collection, Ténéré, through December 1st.
Daniella Kallmeyer continues to apply her vision to the thinking-woman’s wardrobe with her just-launched R25 collection. On pre-order you’ll find a nappa leather field jacket that’s bound to become another hit, tomboy-stripe baby tees, and high-buttoned blazers. FYI, according to Daniella, inventory is already dwindling.
The much speculated and anticipated launch from By Far founder, Dasha Bumbarova, and her partner, Jurgita Dileviciute, has arrived in the form of Jude. The shoe brand’sir debut collection, featuring sweet pointed and peep toe mules in a range of heel heights, has already been worn by Chloe Sevingy.
Dorsey’s winter offering is branching into the under-explored category of pendants - made for stringing onto the brand’s rivières (or, perhaps, another necklace you own). Chic.
There’s also: Lauren Manoogian drops its holiday collection just in time for temperature drops in NYC, so you can swaddle yourself in handknit crewnecks and scarves; ethereal It-girl jeweler Sapir Bachar collaborates with Colbo NYC on an ultra-cool unisex offering in sterling silver and ivory; the wildly-successful-due-to-this-suede-trench Alexa Chung x Madewell collab is back for season two; SSENSE is selling a 26-item-deep beauty bag for $215 (value unlisted, but this reads like a good deal based on brand inclusions); and Comme Si and Le Sirenuse collaborate on silk pajamas that are a massive vacation wardrobe flex.
Men’s releases
I went by the Stoffa store last night to check out the new Undyed Series—clothes made with raw fibers in their natural hue—and I left kind of in love with the brand as a whole. The idea is you can see the clothes on the rack and get them made-to-measure for no extra cost. Brilliantly designed, luxuriously textiled, cut-to-your-body everyday clothes…everything should be this, actually. It’s expensive, but less expensive than you’d think.
Home releases
Nordic Knots AND Ash stay winning with their respective collabs, and thank god they finally came together on this starry-night rug designed by ASH Creative Director Xavier Donnelly.
Hudson Wilder introduces the Asobi series, a trio of shapely glassware featuring punctuated black beaded stems. New covetable host gift incoming…
What’s on sale
The Row’s Private Sale is on and prices are actionable! Starts around $300 for designy tees and there are coats for under $1,500. My Patti top is under $600, so I might have to get it in white.
I spent a couple hours on Moda Operandi’s 50% off designer sale yesterday sussing out the deals—it’s one of the deeper ones happening at a multi-brand store right now. This pair of The Row organza booties I keep talking about is under $600 (they’re on sale for $1,470 at MyTheresa), and Christopher Esber’s resort-y mini skirt is down to $300.
Big things happening at the MyTheresa sale: an Entire Studios sweater and skirt set I saw Cortne Bonilla wearing this week comes down to $388 total; a Nour Hammour shearling scarf coat that could be Brunello is under $1,800; and a J.W. Anderson leather bucket bag is now $367! Highway robbery.
Maimoun granted Magasin readers exclusive access to its Black Friday preview sale, where everything is 30% off. Big beans. Look at this Yuhan Wang blouse-skirt set, and this Eckhaus shag coat, and this Super Yaya bow top. Sorry, but fuck!
Bergdorf’s Designer Sale kicked off, and to my delight, the Issey Miyake enclothe line I wrote about in the SSENSE sale is actually on deeper discount here (among a ton of Alaia, Balenciaga, Tom Ford).
Khaite may offer the best deals on Khaite right now, its site lobbing thousands off sweaters, leathers, and party clothes. (I see you $829 Yenza dress.)
I am always guilty of navigating to the sale page first when a store runs a sitewide discount. Nonna is offering 25% off everything, including already-discounted MNZ shoes (I bought a last pair for $179) and Paris Georgia dresses.
You’ll find Fforme’s sleek essentials at sometimes-very-steep discounts (a very nice, oversized raglan coat is marked down by 75% percent) in its early access private sale.
Nordstrom’s early entry into the Black Friday sale space runs the gamut. With so much to parse through, there’s a lot of hidden goodness to be discovered. JW Anderson’s shearling runway boots are already 40% off. So are knits from Jil Sander and deconstructed basics from MM6.
There’s a lot here to keep an eye on at the much-anticipated 50% off Designer Sale at Saks—ranging from the contemporary (Loulou Studio’s $300 silk maxi will be an excellent holiday-dressing companion) to the high-end (so will Alaia’s must-have mules).
Farfetch is offering an extra 20% off its well-stocked sale section in honor of the great Black Friday date. Balenciaga’s new-season Sunday mules for $526 and a ‘90s-style leather blazer from PSWL under a grand are smart places to start.
Lovers of whimsical-practical leather goods from Hereu can shop the new collection at 30% off using PRIVATESALEAW24.
The Skims Bi-Annual Sale is back on, with early access to discounts on the internet’s favorite body-hugging (or sculpting, depending on preference) basics.
Previously price-slashed, high-end hand me downs are 30% off at Fashionphile. This very elegant, vertically-padded Chanel clutch (!) deserves a home for the holidays.
Bally’s private sale is particularly strong in the outerwear category—with 50% off highlights like this red leather number, this teddy shearling, and this streamlined, single-breasted blazer.
Vince offers up the whole site for 25% off with HOTELVINCE, including Magasin favorites: this suede blazer, bias-cut satin pants in every color, and even Little Liffner leather bags.
Madewell is also running a sitewide 30% off that, thank god, includes the Alexa Chung pieces AND the latest Leset collab.
Tiered sale on at Maison Rogue where orders under $250 get you 20% off, orders over $250 get you 30% off, and anything north of $550 is 40% (!) off. You could knock that out in one go with a choice Sandy Liang coat or 6397 Fair Isle sweater.
Dumbo’s darling, L’Ensemble, is offering up to 50% off a beautiful assortment of Proenza Schouler, Judy Turner, Veronica De Piante, Babaco, Tove…a mix knowns and unknowns at a range of price points.
Co’s seasonal sale takes 40% off pieces that wind up in the main rotation—a double-breasted blazer that’s smart and sensitive, a year-round knit tee, flat ankle boots that end the search once and for all.
Those looking for a jewelry re-up may want to check out Sapir Bachar’s sale. Her everyday-meets-abstract designs are 40% off. (Note: the Colbo collab from above isn’t included in the discounts.)
Slinky sale offerings at Helmut Lang are an additional 25% off as we approach Black Friday. Eyes on a $50 sheer tee and a scarf dress for under $200.
PSA to Gorpcore enthusiasts: Salomon’s early sale has deals up to 25% off.
Ganni’s big sale is on, with up to 50% off Scandi-separates, like a bubblegum high neck sweater and duchesse satin tank. Prices are in the forgiving $100-$400 range.
Theory’s sale is stocked with legitimate wardrobe essentials, like wool tees and cashmere hoodies, ready (depending on enthusiasm) to be added to cart in ones, twos, or threes.
Brand devotee favorites from Anine Bing’s core offering, like sweet lace triangle bras and oversized shirts, are up to 70% off at the season’s winter sale.
Thirty is the magic number at Simon Miller too, where an unadvertised sale using BLACKFRIDAY30 will cut prices on bubble clogs and cheerful knits.
I.AM.GIA is having its “biggest sale ever” with 40% discounts sitewide. Bum-hugging knit pants and skin-tight hoodies for all!
You’ll find more sexy separates at Miaou, where signature corsets and clingy skirts star in its Black Friday pregame sale (and prices start under $100).
Laura Lombardi’s (secret) annual sale is another good opportunity to refresh your jewelry wardrobe. Take 30% off her range of easy hoops and chains with REGALO.
Discounts are tiered at Dehanche’s Black Friday sale, where a spend of $200 gets you 20% off, $300 gets you 25%, and $400 gets you 30%. A good nudge to buy all the belts you need at once.
There’s also: For the interiors freaks, Chairish’s biggest sale of the year brings furniture down to 50% off; precious candelabras and gothic-femme hosting accoutrements at Les Collection are 25% off sitewide; and every year, people hold out for the Omnilux sale on its red-light masks—worth it again at up to $240 off.
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