I remember the first time I went to the Barney’s Warehouse Sale. It was back in the days when the sale was a secret whispered between friends (but not too many friends because it was so good, and over so fast, that you didn’t want the word to get out too far). I found out about it because I had a friend who was a model, and only “industry” people knew about these kinds of things back in the days before social media made secrets more than a little tough to keep. She didn’t even let me know about it from an email; she told me about it over an actual face-to-face lunch.
Remember finding out about things face-to-face?
Weird.
Anyway, how the Warehouse Sale worked was you showed up in person at an actual warehouse, and stepped through a nondescript-looking door into an absolute madhouse: piles and piles and piles of bags and boots and sweaters and scarves, with women literally stripping down to their underwear to try pieces on in the changing-room-free (and mirror-free) room. (My second year I learned my lesson, and went with a pair of fitted shorts and a sports bra underneath my dress.) I put down my purse next to me while I tried on a pair of shoes, and someone tried to buy it.
I even remember what I came home with that first year that I went to the sale: a black pair of open-toe Prada heels with a scrunched-up pale-blue strap across the front. There was one pair left, and they were a half-size too small, but, you know: whatever. They were amazing, and I wore them into the ground and gave them away somewhere along the line, and I’m still sad about that.
Over the years, the Barney’s Warehouse Sale has apparently turned into a normal online clearance sale – meaning you can go ahead and get there minus the whispering friends and sports bras worn underneath your summer dress – which is probably a good thing, even if it does take away a little of the fun. But I just looked…and the fact that it’s online is the only thing that’s different.
For real: those prices are INSANE. They’re something like 40% off of retail, which is nice…but then they’re discounted another 60-70% at checkout. Making some things, like these baby hats, basically free. (I’m using affiliate links here, but this post, as over-the-top-endorse-y as it sounds, is totally unsponsored – the sale is just amazing and you need to know about it.)
Above are a few of my favorite pieces that I found on sale – and those prices you see listed underneath? They’re not taking into account that 60-70% off that you get at checkout. (I KNOW.) Check it out quick, though, because stock is obviously super-limited.
Oh, and: call me crazy, but I’m one of those people who shops for Christmas gifts all year long because that way I’m basically done by the time the madness of the holiday season starts and can actually do things like ice skating and tree decorating without panicking about gift-buying…and this sale is an AMAZING time to get moving on that.
Some Gift Ideas:
- For anyone: This scarf is super cute – I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t love it – and around thirty bucks.
- For a pet lover: This leather dog collar is a gorgeous gift for a pet owner, and is reduced more than 70%.
- For a new mother: If you have a new or soon-to-be mother in your life these baby hats (available in both pink and blue) are like three dollars. Not exaggerating.
- For a guy: I love this Jack Spade parka for around $150, these boots, and this wallet. Or you can get him a leather t-shirt. (Who knows? Maybe you’re dating a guy who wears leather t-shirts. #nojudgment)
P.S. Of course it is still Barneys, and if you would like to buy a $500 leather motorcycle jacket for a small child, you can totally do that (hey, it’s discounted from two grand – it’s practically a steal!).
Top image via.
