Posted by Looking good doesn’t have to break the bank. Seriously.
And the secret can be summed up in two little words: sample sale.
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By definition sample sales are used by designer brands to sell off excess goods and merchandise, many times featuring garments or shoes that have been used as ‘samples’ to distribute to local vendors in order to get those vendors to purchase orders from the manufacturer.
The sales feature items in near perfect condition at a fraction of their retail price. And if the products do have any defects or flaws, they’re usually so minimal there’s no way anyone would ever be able to tell the difference from a mint purchase.
Of course it’s not the most glamorous experience but who cares when you can score that $800 leather jacket from Joie for $50 or those $200 J Brand denims for a mere $35. These discounts are deep and they are worth it!
To this end, we curated a strategic list of ways to find sample sales in Los Angeles, including tips, brick and mortar locations and newsletters that alert you when sample sales come up.
And now that we passed on this wisdom to you we hope you do the impossible: have fun, dress well and save money!
1. Visit The American Apparel Factory Flea Market
Everybody owns a handful if not a closet full of American Apparel goodies. Their official downtown warehouse is also a post for their Factory Flea Market open to the public Monday through Sunday from 9am. to 9pm. Find items over 50% off samples, past styles and stuff that’s still in the stores. Score items as little as $1 here.
2. Join Sole Society’s Mailing List
Join Sole Society’s mailing list and receive alerts about warehouse sample sales in their Culver City offices. There you can find shoes and accessories for 70% off. Even more shocking if you are a size 6 or 10 this is the time to stock up on $5 to $10 sample size shoes! You can also follow their Instagram and Facebook where they announce sample sale pop ups a few days before, but joining their mailing list will get you first access to all sale events.
3. Scope Out The Cooper Building Blog
The Cooper Building Blog is the official blog for the popular showroom building. Here they post sample sale announcements, events and even job listings. It doesn’t hurt to check in once in a while since the building hosts brands like WildFox, 7 For All Man Kind and Alice + Olivia.
4. Refinery 29 Sale News Alerts
By signing up for the Refinery 29 newsletter you will get sample sale alerts as well as general sale alerts and more. You can also search up sales on their Los Angeles section but it’s less work when they do the work for you in one of two emails!
5. BargainsLA Website
Suzanne O’Connor’s BargainsLA is a one stop site when it comes to sample sale listings. She breaks down her sale listings into cities so expect to find sales in Los Angeles, the Valley and even Orange County.
6. Get Updates By Racked LA
Not only is Racked LA one of the best sites for all things shopping they also do a good job at tracking sales and samples sales happening all month. You can sign up for email notifications in the form of a newsletter or you can check their Los Angeles sale section to see recent updates.
7. Warehouse Weekends Website
Warehouse Weekends will give you up to the minute warehouse sale listings . All you need to do is browse through their Southern California section and make a check list of samples to hit up. It’s too easy and that is why we love it.
8. All Access Wednesdays at LA Mart/The Reef
Located on Broadway in Down Town Los Angeles, the LA Mart hosts a event for the public called Design Center Wednesdays. Checkout the events page to get the low down on monthly public sample sales.
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9. The LF Warehouse Sale
This is insider information…did you know popular trendy fashion store LF holds a warehouse sale a few times every year? If you are an avid shopper there tell your sales girl to put you on their mailing list and leave a phone number. The LF office will only send out invites to people. The warehouse sales are not promoted. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of being added you can probably find the information listed on one of our sample sale tip sites too.
10. $30 Denim At J Brand Warehouse
Favorite denim brand to the stars J Brand has a warehouse in Downtown where all item prices are cut deep… like super deep. Seeing how J Brand denim starts off at about $200 the warehouse prices denim as low as $35. We don’t know how they do it but do we really care?
11. Search Listings On WH Sale
WH Sale will give you sample sale alerts all over the states. Luckily there is a filter for just Southern California (in the link below.) To get the latest alerts sign up for their newsletters.
12. Visit The California Market Center
Imagine a 13-story building full of showrooms that become open to the public once a month. Does this sound like heaven on earth to you? We sure think so! Be prepared to shop hundreds of showrooms! Check out their events calendar for the latest updates on times and days.
So where do you find the best designer clothes for less in L.A.? Let us know in the comments below!
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