clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

From Sunglasses to Overalls: Inside the Elizabeth and James Sale

New, 20 comments

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.


The Elizabeth and James sample sale always draws a hip crowd, and at the preview last night we found so many wearable pieces that it was difficult not to check out empty handed.

Update, 4/11: We're told new styles have been added to the sample sale, including more leather leggings and black leather jackets.

There are two set of price lists: one for Elizabeth and James and another for Textile. Most pieces are discounted up to 75% off, and prices are straightforward except for jewelry, which is all price as marked. Jewelry starts at $10, sample sunglasses are $35, and the most expensive item was a pair of $300 leather overalls. There's no designated sample rack, though we spotted a few mixed-in with the past season's overstock. Note: there are no handbags.

For Elizabeth and James apparel, prices start at $45 for tees. Shirts and shorts are $60; tops, blouses, pants and bottoms are $70; sweaters and skirts are $75; dresses and blazers are $100; vests and outerwear are $150; leather bottoms and blazers/jackets are $250; and leather overalls are $300.

We found some cool veiled cut-out tops and dresses, like the Selena and the Lela. We really liked this Magdalena dress in pink and white, and the Bryant Crepe Open Jacket. There's also the flirty Audra skirt in black, pink, and orange.

In the Textile section, there's a ton of denim and tees to browse through. Prices start at $25 for tees, $55 for tops, $40 for sweatshirts and shorts, $55 for pants, and $85 for jackets. Size 26, 27, and 28 in pants dominated the racks, but we spotted some other sizes from 24 to 32 as well.

Near the back there's a table full of eyewear frames and sunglasses. Eyewear starts at $35 for sample glasses and runs up to $75 for optical frames. The marked-down price is based on the original retail price. The best deal is the $35 sample sunglasses, although there weren't too many to pick from.

Beside the cashiers are three tables of jewelry, including wooden bracelets, and 18-24K gold and silver plated rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. There's plenty to shop, but sizing is limited in the ring department.

There is a dressing room with a ten-item max per person. Cash and credit card are accepted. The sale runs through Sunday, April 13th at 260 Fifth Avenue from 10am to 8pm today through Thursday, from 10am to 7pm Friday and Saturday, and from 10am to 3pm on Sunday.—Hsini
· Dealfeed: Elizabeth and James [Racked NY]
· Twenty-One Sample Sales to Shop Before the End of April [Racked NY]
· All Sample Sale Coverage [Racked NY]

260 Sample Sale

260 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001 (212) 725-5400 Visit Website