Gilty Pleasures

For the pretentious bargain shoppers among us (oxymoron?): If sample sales, Century 21 and Woodbury Common are too plebeian for you, get yourself a membership with Gilt Groupe. Gilt Groupe is an invite-only cache of rotating, 36-hour designer sales. Think of it as a glamorous incarnation of the “friends and family” shopping event. But don’t expect to find the big, commercialized guns – the Ralph Laurens and Calvin Kleins of this world – on the Gilt Groupe site. Instead, they have partnered with smaller brands that we have come to know and love.

Currently on sale for up to 70% off retail is Temple St. Clair, Rag & Bone, John Hardy, and Kwiat. Robert Marc, Malo, Anthony Nak, and Peter Elliot aren’t on sale yet, but are on the horizon. So what are you waiting for? Hit up that contact list for your invite. And don’t forget – your “economic stimulus” rebate is in the mail (unless, of course, the IRS is harassing you for money that you’ve already paid and your accountant is powerless against inertia of bureaucratic malaise. As if any of us know what that’s like …). But once you get your membership and tap your sample sale of choice, be quick – sales are known to sell out within hours.