Shiny New Designer Goods for the Ladies at the Housing Works Sale

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• The Vivienne Westwood Anglomania x Melissa shoes for $65
• DVF
• Marc Jacobs and Vanessa Noel shoes
• The coveted Opening Ceremony coat.
• An Oscar de la Renta sample jacket
• A mix of Calypso, Yumi Kim and Joie tops
• This Calypso top is only $35
• Marc Jacobs skirts and pants.
• In God We Trust dress
• Last ditch effort for Mayle dresses
• Brooks Brothers capelet coat for only $150
• Cocktail frocks - lots of Tadoshi Shoji for $150
• One of two Bottega Veneta small bags left. This one is $185 and comes with a little mirror inside.
• This Mulberry bag is $315
• $20 Fallon bangles
• Chanel nail polishes and Kiehl's creams for $15 to $25. The Abyssine cream is usually $43.

Holy crap. The Housing Works sale benefiting Fashion for Action 2010 is really good. First off, this isn't a regular gently-worn sale. Pretty much everything (with the exception of some accessories) in the shop is brand spanking new and marked up to 70% off retail. Props to designers like Brooks Brothers (the largest donation ever), Diane Von Furstenburg, In God We Trust, Marc Jacobs, Melissa, Oscar De La Renta and so, so many more for donating pieces to the worthwhile organization and our closets.

Where to begin? Let's start with the shoes because if you missed the Melissa sample sale, you definitely want to head to there (left wall) first. We found the Vivienne Westwood Anglomania x Melissa heels for $75 and the booties for $55. Diane Von Furstenberg also donated a couple styles in various colors: the Luna platform sandal is $65 and the comfy-looking perforated-leather Haven flats are $35. Off-season Marc Jacobs flat geisha sandals are all $65 and there are a few Marais USA satin pumps for just $45. Sizes are varied and all the boxes are available to sort through.

Now onto the many, many the clothes. We suggest looking through the racks quite carefully. The majority of styles have multiple sizes, but there are some one-off gems in the mix, like two Opening Ceremony coats: a sexy belted wool number with an attached fur shrug ($400 from $1400 and everyone was drooling over it) and a classic peacoat ($250 from $600), and few scattered Oscar de la Renta samples, like an intricately sequined and silver thread-embroidered jacket for $275.

On the more plentiful and affordable side, check out the racks near the shoes for silky embellished tops from Calpyso for a crazy $35. (We picked up a lovely sheer cream tunic with loads of delicious black beading and sequins) Those were the best bet on the racks compared to the Yumi Kim vintage-inspired silk tops for $60 and Joie's offerings running from $70 to $85. (We know it's for charity, but that is kind of weird pricing.) On the lower racks, we also found some light denim blazers from Kerrigan ($30) and cute Charlotte Ronson flannel shirts with epaulets ($25).

Also of note, there are a bunch of dresses from In God We Trust—like a sleeveless lilac frock for $65 and a more seasonal purple long sleeve with gold buttons dress for $75. Mayle fans and collectors will rejoice over the selection of girlishly lovely dresses for $95. We also liked the Sunner frocks (like a silky silver belted one and a flannel plaid jumper) all for $65.

The Brooks Brothers coats are fabulously priced at $150. Granted, they're from the Autumn 2007 collection, but Brooks Brothers is a classic and with Americana all the rage, there are some real finds—like elegant navy capelet-belted-coat-combos and breezily elegant ponchos. There is a denim bar, too with jeans ranging from $20 (for Seven for All Mankind) to $45 (Lucky Brand).

We need to also touch upon the accessories. There were a couple vintage, possibly dead stock (we think, no one was quite sure) small woven Bottega Veneta bags, complete with pocket mirrors inside for $185. On the definitely brand new front, we saw a Coach genuine python tote for $700 (retail $1800) and a metallic blue Mulberry tote for $315. Also check out Fallon silver studded bangles for $20 each and Satya charm necklaces from $30 to $50. One more thing to mention: There are $15 Chanel nail polishes in hues like Gondola, Intermezzo and Lilac Fizz.

There are a few dressing rooms for fitting and almost everything is out on the floor. They will restock a few items, but there's only one Opening Ceremony coat so get there soon. Remember, it's all for a good cause.
· Thom Browne, Movie Stars Want You to Shop the Housing Works Sale [Racked]
· Housing Works Fashion for Action [Official Site]