As a media planner, I suppose you would call me quite methodical so I like to apply a similar approach to shopping.  Today, I had plan A which was to go to Ghost and try on those high waisted jeans that everyone keeps on harping on about.  I just wanted to see whether I could handle high-waisted skinny jeans well enough to fork over £120 for them but alas when I arrived, all the small sizes had been sold out and there is now a waiting list for them – aha, I should have known that anything that Kate Moss has been seen in will have a wait list – how silly of me! 

So then I had to resort to plan B, which was to go to the sample sale at new-ish boutique Jezebell, tucked away on a pleasantly quiet street (actually, Marylebone is the Queen of pleasant quiet streets).  I really was not expecting much.  I figured they had used the word sample sale to attract more people to come to the store and for these unknowing customer to find that, what Jezebell meant was a normal summer sale – 30-50% off.  Despite the store stocking delish labels like Vena Cava, Phillip Lim, Bi La Li and Karen Walker, the location makes it just that little bit harder for the *can’t be bothered to walk far* people like me. 

Well, I’m glad I put in the leg muscle.  The prices were the sort of thing that you pray for when you go to summer sales but then you end up crestfallen because 30% off a £300 jacket does not a bargain make.  Then there was the presentation itself – gone were messy metal rails and a hotchpotch mix of tops and skirts all knotted up with the hangers and gone was the stress that usually comes with sample sales; when you get stressed out and viscious because some evil kinevil has grabbed the last size 36 and you have to clutch onto your finds for dear life.  Nope, this was like any other pleasant boutique shopping affair with everything colour co-ordinated on neat orderly racks (added to the fact that Jezebell is beautifully decorated).  Staff were friendly, nice and gushing and other patrons smiled at you and commented on your picks (you then feel compelled to return the compliment).  This all equates to what a dream sample sale should be like when women don’t have to resort to cunning shopping war tactics.

(Anglomania, Vena Cava, Camilla Staerk, Loffler Randall S/S06 pics)

Let me go back to the prices which were as I said, unbelievable. Vivienne Westwood and Angolmania skirts slashed to £30-35, jackets (which were SO SO beautiful on) down to £60.  Vena Cava dresses for £50.  Those Loeffler Randall platform sandals that Fashionologie extolled about a while ago were down to £55.  Nicholas Kirkwood, a shoe sculptor in my opinion, down to £55 as well.  We’re not talking about stock knocking around from a few years back either – this was all S/S06 stuff, a lot of which could easily be worn for the next season.  Camilla Staerk for instance, who always features a lot of black had some wonderful black slouchy trousers for £40. 

I am gushing and raving,only because this sale was the best I had encountered this entire year!  Even though I restricted myself to buying only a few things, it was just a pleasure to shop in such an environment, seeing those wonderful clothes at these super reasonable prices (so many postiive adjectives in one sentance but I just can’t help it!).  I forgot to make a mini banner for this sample sale in the events column but GET DOWN THERE tomorrow or on Monday if you are in London!  Address on website and opening hours are 10:30am-6:30pm. 

Here are my spoils.  Thankfully, I didn’t let the prices go to my head and go too crazy but instead, I bought things which I think will see me through at least to end of fall. 

3.1 Phillip Lim denim and satin trench £65 – I have never really bought a coat in denim but the knotted leather buttons, the satin collar and the shade of denim really appealed to me and I like that it can look casual and smart both at the same time.

Richard Nicoll burnished gold linen slouchy trousers £35 – I fell in love with Richard Nicoll’s entire S/S06 line when I saw it so I was glad to pick up a piece.  When I saw them though, they struck me as more of a wintry item than a summery one, which only contributed to my ‘smart’ shopping strategy (helps me justify spending money!).