Here’s Lo-Down contributor Jessica Delfino’s weekly roundup of Lower East Side shops, sales and new collections to keep your eye on.
Soho Sample Sale (201 Mulberry Street) featuring Catherine Malandrino, Nue by Shani and Lunn will be hocking designer wear, outer wear and sunglasses at discount prices, ranging from $49 to $199. I get some of my best items at sample sales and I encourage all shopping hounds to make sample sales a part of their regular routine, especially as the holiday gift giving season approaches, and fast. The sale will run through Monday, October 20th. Times TBD.
October/November Street Fairs (Everywhere) Last week as I strolled down Broadway, I came across the Astor Place street fair, just one block long between Broadway and Lafayette, reaching out just below the 6 train at Astor Place. “Ugh, another street fair,” I said to myself. “I know,” I retorted. Just as the two of me (I’m a Gemini) were snickering at each other’s joke, I came upon a quirky gentleman wearing orange from head to toe, running a small shoe booth. “Ten dollars per pair!” the man bellowed. I had to take a peek.
I honestly didn’t expect to see anything worth buying (but ya gotta look, right?) so, you can imagine the delight I experienced when I found not one but two pairs of Vince Camuto soft leather knee high riding boots for $10 a pair, one in black, one in brown. Think that’s a score? A girl who arrived just as I did found a pair of Chloe by Chloe heels for $10 at the same sale.
My point is, always just take a peek, because you never know where you’ll find a great deal. Later, I researched my adventure to find lots of street fairs still to come all over the city, including the Seaport Holiday Shops street fair at Fulton and South Streets, Nov. 26 – Dec. 24, featuring 25 vendors selling crafts and ornaments, Santa and more.
Think it’s too early to start gift shopping? You know Halloween is barely 2 weeks away, right?
The Seaport Holiday Shops are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week.
Mandate of Heaven (17 Essex Street) requests your presence on Friday, Oct. 24th for an Autumn Animal Party, which sounds like a blast, right? There will be cocktails, candy, costumes, dancing, decadence, debauchery and a sneak peek of their first 2015 collection. There will also be a 10% discount on certain items, and a portion of sales will benefit animals in need.
RSVP via Facebook, or email mandateofheaven1982@hotmail.com.
I have a feeling you can get away with wearing literally anything you could possibly imagine. You can find this weird and wonderful clothing shop up the stairs and to the right once you arrive at 17 Essex Street.
Mandate of Heaven is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 12:30 to 8 PM and Friday and Saturday 12:30 to 9 PM.
Miss Hoe (11 Kenmare) announced back in June that they were moving to a new location, and on a recent jaunt down Kenmare street, I saw their new spot. They’re all settled in and looking great. Once upon a time they were located at 2 Prince, on the corner of Bowery and Prince, but no more.
The store is conveniently located very near one of my favorite coffee shops, Little Fox. So on a perfect weekday friend date, we’d start by popping into Miss Hoe’s, perusing her wonderful and weird wares and then sauntering into Little Fox for one of their world class brownies to have a chit chat. Does life get any better? It’s the simple things, you know.
Miss Hoe is open Monday through Wednesday, 2 PM to 8 PM, Thursday through Sunday, 12 PM to 9 PM.
Victoria’s Secret (593 Broadway) is known for it’s kind of trashy yet sorta sexy lingerie and accessories. Now you may be thinking, um, yeah, I’ve heard of VS, but I’m about to make a true confession, dear reader: I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that VS is where I get all of my underwear. ALL of it. To throw my husband under the bus, it wasn’t my idea. One day, he said “I’m going to take you shopping at Victoria’s Secret,” like a scene straight out of Pretty Woman.
I spent 30 minutes wandering around the store, fingering the satin and sateen and cotton and trying to figure out what kind of underwear gal I am – a lace g-string lady or a cotton panty princess? I chose 10 pairs of a classic cut (they usually range from about $5-$7 / pair) and I’ve found them to be wonderful.
They hold up well to multiple washings, though I have since invested in a lingerie bag to more gently care for my valued underthings, which also don’t warp or stretch after months of wear. Plus, if you sign up on their mailing list, every couple months, they send you a coupon for a free pair of undies which you can literally turn in at the store with no muss and no fuss for one absolutely free pair of no purchase necessary underwear.
Sure, the place smells like a bordello and some of their merchandise is gag-inducingly gaudy, but I see it more now for what it is–the amusement park of underwear.
Victoria’s Secret is open 10 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 8:30 PM on Sunday.
Send your tips about upcoming sales and new collections to: tips@TheLoDownNY.com
Jessica Delfino is a comedic musician who has lived and performed in the LES for like, forever. She first fell in love with beautiful clothing as a kid when her mom let her dress up in her vintage stash. Jessica was called “One of NY’s 50 Most Fashionable People” by Time Out NY. Check her out at here. She’s also @JessicaDelfino on Twitter.
