*SAMPLE SALE* Dolce Delight

The Dolce & Gabbana bi-annual sample sale got underway at noon today, and just like many shoppers who attended the opening, I forwent a bite of lunch and instead opted for a taste of Dolce delight. The sale, happening at 317 W. 33rd Street, is here for 4 short days this week and offers womenswear, menswear, shoes, bags, intimates, jewelry, small leather goods, and other accessories from the Italian brand's glamorous past collections. And how about the prices? Let's just say I'm glad I skipped my lunch today.

The markdowns at the Dolce & Gabbana sample sale were downright amazing. Even though I've attended many of the brand's sample sales in the past, this was simply the best in terms of finding a deal. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I found such steep discounts at Soiffer Haskin, period.

Prices were categorized based on each item's retail value. Any item with an original MSRP of $100 and under would be just $10 at the register; $101~$300 was $25; $301~$500 was $50; $501~$700 was $100; $701~$1,000 was $150; $1,001~$1,999 was $200; $2,000~$2,999 was $300; $3,000~$5,999 was $600; and $6,000~$9999 was $1,200. In addition, anything that exceeded $10,000 (like evening gowns and furs) was 80% off.

Now, onto the merchandise. The layout was basically split in half with women's inventory set up on the left and men's merch on the right. In women's accessories, there were handbags (mostly clutches and luggage style totes), belts (size 65~105), shoes (size 35~41), jewelry, intimates/swimwear (size 1~4), hosiery, hair accessories, and leather gloves.

As for ready-to-wear, sizes were available from 36 to 50 and you could find everything from Dolce & Gabbana's iconic leopard prints to florals and laces to a few racks of pajama-inspired separates.

Over on the right side, men's items consisted of a very large bounty of dark-colored suits (size 44S~58R), dress shoes (size 39~46), colorful bowties/ties, $10 boxers (size XS~XL), $25 tanks, swimwear, silk/wool/cashmere scarves, iPhone/iPad cases, $25 leather belts, wool socks, and hats. On the racks, shoppers could find a wealth of button-down shirts, leather jackets, cotton blazers, jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and loungewear. Sizes for men's RTW ranged from 44 through 58.

In the back, there was a single rack and table of children's inventory. The rack had girls' dresses and other articles of clothing while the table held boxes of tiny shoes.

The only bad news from today's Dolce & Gabbana sample sale, besides the fact that items were going fast, is that the majority of the inventory was at least six collections old and went as far back as the label's Spring '09 collection. But mind you, discounts truly made up for that shortcoming and it was clear shoppers were definitely taking advantage of the deals. If you plan on attending, which I highly recommend especially for the guys, the sale ends Sunday.

Price list:

Retail $1~$100.....$10

Retail $101~$300.....$25

Retail $301~$500.....$50

Retail $501~$700.....$100

Retail $701~$1,000.....$150

Retail $1,001~$1,999.....$200

Retail $2,000~$2,999.....$300

Retail $3,000~$5,999.....$600

Retail $6,000~$9,999.....$1,200

Retail $10,000.....80% off

Men's belts $25 (pythons $50 and crocodiles $100)

Men's boxers $10

Men's tanks $25

iPhone 5 cases $5

iPad Mini cases $15

iPad cases $25

Wool scarves $25

Cashmere scarves $50