The Choosy Beggar

Officially, Thursday through Saturday, 11/19-11/21, Metropolitan Pavilion is hosting an Armani sample sale extravaganza featuring up to 80% off clothing and accessories (yes, that means shoes) from Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Emporio Armani, and Armani Jeans. Credit cards only; no cash. And no, Armani Exchange will not be missed.

Update: A tipster with an invite says the VIP pre-sale preview runs from 12pm until 3pm on Thursday. No word yet on security.

Update 2: Most likely, says one reader, “Staff will be checking the list at the door with a significant amount of vigilance” for the VIP preview.

Armani et al. sample sale – Metropolitan Pavilion – 123 W 18th between 6th & 7th – 4th Floor – Thurs 3pm-8pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm – Map

Thursday through Sunday, 11/19-11/22, Chelsea Market’s Prive space is hosting a Hickey & Original Penguin sample sale featuring 60-80% off past and present seasons’ stock from both brands. Also find steep markdowns on outerwear from Netherlands label Cold Method.

Hickey & Original Penguin sample sale – Prive space – Chelsea Market – 75 9th Ave between between 15th & 16th – (Enter on 9th Ave and walk all the way past the fake water fall) – 10:30am-7pm Daily – Map

Come November, New York starts oozing cashmere from every pore. Wednesday and Thursday, get to the Inhabit sample sale for deep discounts on knits and basics, including cashmere crewnecks for $160 and cotton thermal pullovers for $60. Find similar deals online now.

Inhabit Sample Sale – 1441 Broadway between 40th & 41st – 24th Floor – 10am-6pm daily – 212-575-3880 – Map

Wednesday and Thursday, 11/18-11/19, GQ‘s Best New Menswear Designer ’09 runner-up Yigal Azrouël is hosting a sample sale featuring up to 70% off present and past seasons’ stock.

The last such sale amounted to a “small but good selection of men’s stock in a range of sizes — mostly Medium and up on the ($90) knits … $150 for leather bags, $300 for leather outerwear … shoes from sz 9-11,” according to one tipster.

Yigal Azrouël showroom – 225 W 39th between 7th & 8th – 7th fl – 212-302-1194 – 9am-7pm Daily – Map

We’re always on the lookout for smart plaids at nice prices, and Shop Detour has a bunch of ’em like this Left Field long woven down from $160 to $80. They’ve even got a few marked down Gitman Bros. Vintage shirts, but sizing is limited.