Unearthing Womenswear at Gant's Flatiron District Sample Sale

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• Gingham, denim, and floral button-front shirts
• White shorts
• Floral shirts and sequin dresses
• Stripes and flannel
• Winter wool skirts and blazers
• Some of the shoe selection
• Preppy kidswear

Ladies, if you pay a visit to Gant's inaugural sample sale at 260 Fifth Avenue, it will likely be to pick up goodies for the men in your life. Seriously, with Father's Day and graduation season right around the corner, it's a goldmine. But before tackling the mountains of bright and preppy menswear, you will want to veer to the far left side of the showroom to dig through the limited womenswear.

The selection reminds us of our own closet's state of seasonal limbo. Between spot-on gingham button-front shirts, seersucker blazers, and striped polos, you'll also find heavy fur coats, pleated wool skirts, and quilted down coats.

For spring and summer basics, the price at this sale is right. At $35 there's no shortage of gingham, floral, and chambray button front shirts. You can also snag bright and preppy polos for $25 and white shorts to pair with them for $35. Yes, the prices are a bit higher than what we're used to at Gant's usual in-house sample sale, but you're still looking at many items from the Summer 2011 and Summer 2012 collections at severe discounts. (Check the label sewn into the clothing closely, which often lists the collection.)

If you're after something a bit more unique, persistence will be rewarded. We were particularly smitten with a seersucker sheath dress with gray lace overlay from the Summer 2011 collection, which was a steal at $45 (marked retail price was $795!). We also spotted a khaki trench coat with white buttons for $95 and an orange and white floral shirtdress that seemed perfect for casual weekends for $45. Blazers were a little pricey at $125 (at past Gant sample sales they've gone for about $70), but there were some decent seasonal offerings.

From the winter wear, we liked the snuggly bright sweaters for $40 and a gray wool pleated shirt with buckle detailing for $35. There were also a few sequined dresses for $75, which have been around at Gant's sample sales since at least last Fall. Generally items were either a US size 6 or 10, but we saw many other sizes ranging from a US 4 to 12 mixed in. The women's section is home to several full length mirrors, which most certainly will be monopolized by male shoppers, so watch out!

Fitting room space is primarily dedicated to the men. Ladies get one tiny curtained-off stall at the very back of the showroom (during yesterday afternoon's preview it was set up as a private stall; unless things change, expect to wait). Near the fitting room you'll also spot a few pairs of worn non-Gant shoes that were likely used in the brand's showroom for styling purposes (we saw Jessica Simpson, Christian Siriano for Payless, and Miss Capri for Target, all for $20). If you venture toward the accessories section (near the cash registers), there's some sweater tights on offer for $7.

The sale runs through Saturday May 19th at 260 Fifth Avenue between 28th and 29th Streets. Sale hours are 10am to 8pm Tuesday through Friday, and 10am to 5pm Saturday. Cash and credit accepted.—Kiran
· Dealfeed: Gant [Racked NY]