But as Fenwick writes in the introduction: Etiquette is based on tradition, and yet it can change.
But when surrounded by these deep designer discounts even the most beautifully behaved shoppers get ugly.
Its a distinctly New York experience and one that requires tact and planningand sharp elbowsto fully enjoy.
Walking us through their best practices in this months edition of Oh, Behave!
are sample sale regulars Jenna Lyons and Alex Consani.
(So much so, that Lyons hosted a massive, much-buzzed-aboutcloset saleearlier this year.)
Find their guide to the rules of sample sale etiquette below.
Vogue:You get a coveted invite to a sample sale.
Are you hush-hush about it?
Lyons:To everyone in the world, yes.
But to a certain group of people who I think would appreciate it, Im definitely down to share.
Im not a big fan of shopping by myself.
Consani:Well, Im not a gate-gatekeeping girl.
No shade to all of my girls, but Ill tell one or two people.
Im not just going to be like, Everybody, lets meet up at this sample sale!
You hear of a sample sale youre not invited to but want to godo you crash?
Lyons:I pout first.
And then I call everyone I know to see if I can get in.
Consani:Girl, if I want it, Im going to crash it.
What are they gonna say?
If the pockets are open, the door should be too.
Grabbing things out of peoples hands?
I dont think its ever that serious.
At the end of the day, its just clothing.
Yes, its a bargain, but its not Black Friday circa 2013.
Like, theres no reason to be throwing fists over clothing, you know?
Alex Consani
A not-on-the-list acquaintance asks you to share the PR contact for a sample sale.
I take these things very seriously!
So, if its a Prada sample sale, Im really thoughtful and careful about it.
Consani:Yeah, Ill share a PR contact any day!
And if they dont get back to them, guess what?
Im going to get that pair of Manolos for my friend.
Thats what I think.
How early do you arrive and queue up?
Lyons:Okay, so this is a tricky one.
Ive never actually queued up for a sample sale.
Ive usually been invited by a press person and not had to wait.
But stand in line?
I cant do it!
I have no patience.
Ill get squirrely and squiggly, and Ill leave.
So it just depends what the sample sale is and how badly I want in.
What do you wear to a sample sale?
Something easy-on, easy-off for the dressing room?
Lyons:This is a job!
Im going on a mission!
I will wear slip-on shoes.
I will wear leggings or a bodysuit or something.
I usually like no bra and leggings and a simple sweater or sweatshirt.
There is a definite strategy, especially if youre going to a really good one.
Consani:To each their own but Im a heel girl, so Im going to wear heels.
What are your thoughts on communal dressing rooms at sample sales?
People were intense, but they also had time slots for people and the dressing rooms werent chaotic.
Consani:I think communal dressing rooms are good.
But when its a judgmental space?
Oh girl, thats not a problem for me.
Who cares if the girlies at the sample sale see a little titty?
Lyons:Heres what Ill say; the only thing that hasnotdropped on my body is my boobs.
Consani:Being seen naked?
Oh girl, thats not a problem for me.
Who cares if the girlies at the sample sale see a little titty?
That is nothing to be scared of, in my opinion.
But Im blessed, I dont really care.
Can you ever try things on in the aisles?
In a sample sale, all bets are off.
Its like, hey, go for it.
Youre debating buying somethingdo you walk around the sale with it for safekeeping?
Lyons:Im not putting that thing down.
Oh yeah, Not putting that down.
Consani:Well, Im going hold onto it if I have any inkling that I want it.
When I try things on in the dressing room, I really will do my runway walk.
If everyones kind of just looking around then Im going to put that right back on the rack.
I dont mind saying that.
Jenna Lyons
How many pieces can you hold onto at once?
Lyons:As much as you’re free to carry?
Listen, this is like a sport.
Im sorry but if Im not sure yet, Im going to hold onto it until I know.
Consani:If you cant physically hold it all in your hands, thats not a good look.
And thats also just like, girl, how many clothes do you need?
Do you know what I mean?
Someone is manhandling the item you wantdo you butt in?
Or is it finders keepers?
I dont mind saying that.
And I also think sometimes people need a nudge one way or the other.
Sometimes, it’s possible for you to tell somebodys not sure.
And then if you actually say to them, Oh, I really love that.
Are you taking that?
Sometimes, itll tip someone’s scales.
Back in my J.Crew days, we used to have massive sample sales, enormous.
I can distinctly remember there being a big, chunky cashmere sweater that I was obsessed with.
I literally petitioned for it.
Consani:Well, if someones holding something, I mean, its crazy to go up to them!
But out of someones hands?
Then Im going to let them have it.
Its never that serious.
Do you talk to fellow shoppers about their hauls?
Or let them be?
Oftentimes people ask me what I think.
Listen, Im a frugal queen.
Lyons:I have no rationale.
Im not strategic about it at all.
I think I probably should be?
But no, I dont go with a budget.
You just never know what youre gonna find.
I dont think Ive ever spent more than ten grand at a sample sale.
Consani:Listen, Im a frugal queen.
It just has to really speak to me.
Can you ever haggle or bargain?
Lyons:Yes, especially if somethings wrong with it or its damaged.
And I dont care.
Consani:Im going to haggle, especially if the items damaged or used.
Im the first person to say, Um, theres a stitch missing.
Can we take $5 off?
But listen, its not new, so lets talk about it, you know?
Can you take photos and shop for other people?
Lyons:Hell no.
Like I said, no one listens to me anyway.
Its a lot to go out and shop for other people while shopping for yourself.
Lyons:I have a massive storage space downstairs and it either gets given away or Ill sell it.
It happens less now than it used to.
Thats why I think its always good to not asktoomany people.
Consani:The RealReal.
I feel like its a great way to take back all the guilt.
Lyons:Oh my God, yes.
Consani:I love a bargain.
Listen, I saw something that I like, and Im wearing it, and it wasnt expensive.
Im gonna flex that because its a rarity.
Its something to celebrate.
Ill talk about it.
Whats the worst behavior youve witnessed at a sample sale?
Particularly in a high-end sample sale, I just think thats really gross.
Consani:Grabbing things out of peoples hands.
I dont think its ever that serious.
At the end of the day, its just clothing.
Yes, its a bargain, but its not Black Friday circa 2013.
Like, theres no reason to be throwing fists over clothing, you know?
Whats the best thing youve ever purchased at a sample sale?
Lyons:The years?
I remember Katayone Adeli.
Ill never forget this.
There was a cashmere coat that I had been looking at and looking at and looking at.
And Id gone to the store maybe four or five times, and I just couldnt do it.
I couldnt spend the money.
I beelined, and Im sure I knocked someone over but I dont care.
I got the coat, and it was one of those moments when I could not have been happier.
It totally made my year, I was so happy.
Its the Louis Vuitton monogram with purple spray paint on it and then red python handles.
A Birkin sample sale?
If I could get a Birkin, I take back everything I ever said in this interview.
If they had a Birkin sample sale, I would be crazy.
Im going to take 50 Birkins.
Im going to fight.
Ill do everything I can to get that for free or for cheap.
Alex Consani
What are the best sample sales?
Consani:A lot of my friends do closet sales and Ive done a couple of them, actually.
And its a lot less organized, so you get to dig.
Im a digger; I grew up shopping at Goodwill, so that was my pop in of score.
What would be your dream sample sales?
Lyons:Does Hermes even have sample sales?
That just doesn’t even seem like a thing.
I mean, Im sure they dont have them, either.
Like anything where the quality of the clothing is at that level.
Bottega would be beautiful.
I mean there are so many beautiful clothes.
Consani:A Birkin sample sale?
If I could get a Birkin, I take back everything I ever said in this interview.
If they had a Birkin sample sale, I would be crazy.
Im going to take 50 Birkins.
Im going to fight.
Ill do everything I can to get that for free or for cheap.
