Fashion Cents: How To Shop Online Sample Sales

--By Kimberly Turner

I just got back from New York City on Sunday night and, despite being snowed in and having three flights canceled on my return, I LOVE that city! I lived there for a couple of years and while I was eager to get back home to family, there are 3 things I truly miss – 1.) ENERGY, 2.) Broadway Shows, and 3.) Sample Sales. Bad attitudes and great food are in abundance here in Chicago too.

While I don’t think there is any duplicating the energy or seeing a show on Broadway, I must admit, these online sample sales do a pretty good job of filling that sample sale void for me. But there are 2 key differences:

1. Lots of Options Daily – versus the NY versions which feel really special and limited.

2. Can’t Try It On! – it sucks not to make sure those medium wool pants will be a perfect fit but at 50 to 80% off, it could be worth the risk.

Now, watch the video and I will give you tips for shopping these sales SMARTLY. Then see the end of this post for invites to the sites. Make sense?

Sample Sale Invites - Click through to score your insta-invitation:

• HauteLook
• Rue La La
• Gilt Groupe (includes Gilt, Gilt Fuse, Gilt Man & Jetsetter)
• Billion Dollar Babes
• The Top Secret
• RowNine
• Ideeli
• Beyond the Rack
• Editor's Closet
• Gomatta Girls

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Kimberly Turner, your personal style guru, is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Kimberly has an MBA from the University of Michigan and an Image Consulting Certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Kimberly lives in the Windy city of Chicago and is the host of FashionCents.tv.