IF Boutique's Basement Sale Boasts 70% Off Margiela and CdG

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Thanks to the twitter of Kelly Cutrone's assistant, Andrew Mukamal, we were alerted to the quiet beginning of the big sale at Soho's IF Boutique. That was at 2:30pm. By 3:10pm, we were elbow-deep in Comme des Garcons and Dries van Noten in the basement of the Soho store at 94 Grand Street.

We majorly cleaned up at this sale last year, and were hoping for the same result this time around, but we were disappointed to recognize many things that were leftovers from last year. That said, if you'll buy anything Comme, Dries or Maison Martin Margiela so long as it's under $300, then you should go. STAT.

The selection is better this year for men, with Comme des Garcons blazers priced at $300?ones that we remember being fresh to the shelves less than a year ago. Women however are left to fight over the Comme leftover from last year and some new Dries and some really old Junya Watanbe denim skirts and jackets. The bulk of the clothing is Ivan Grundahl of Copenhagen, a label in which IF Boutique specializes.

By way of accessories, the same sort of bags as last year are present, but then pepper in a few buttery black leather offering from Margiela?so long as you're willing to pay between $1,000 and $450 for those. Men can find some blah belts and a very small selection of shoes, but that didn't stop stay-at-home dads from hauling their strollers downstairs and stocking up on leather ankle boots. Women's shoes are mostly awkward Junya Watanabe sandals or relatively vanilla Margiela pumps. The good (and craziest) stuff is still upstairs on the main floor, at full price.

The basement may be small for the sale, but IF attracts a loyal customer base, so there will be much schmoozing and pleasantness. People actually say "excuse me" down there! Still, we advise reaching for that last $100 Veronique Branquinho dress and the rare Ann Demeulemeester top like you mean it.