The Choosy Beggar

Exclusive: Here’s a sale you won’t hear about anywhere else (hence our use of the word ‘exclusive.’) Beginning Monday, Tim Hamilton’s favorite shop, IF Boutique, is hosting a sample sale featuring 70-80% off S/S ’09 from Ann Demeulemeester, Comme des Garcons, Martin Margiela, … HERE‘s what we found at IF’s last basement sale.

Report from the field: One reader says “Meh.” “I didn’t think the men’s selection was that great. At least a rack’s worth of carry-over from the Winter sale. The nicer pieces are size 50/52.”

IF Boutique – 94 Grand St between Mercer & Greene – 212-334-4964 – Map

Summer ’09 might be waning, but resort season ’09/’10 is just around the corner. Monday through Thursday, 8/17-8/20, Upper East Side swimwear shop Vilebrequin plans to host its first ever private sale, featuring 50-80% off men’s and boy’s trunks and beachwear.

Vilebrequin private sale – Vilebrequin showroom – 160 Varick St between Charlton & Vandam – 2nd Fl – Mon Wed & Thurs 10am-6pm, Tues 10am-7pm – Map

Swanky Hudson Street boutique Kesner just deepened store-wide S/S markdowns to 75% off. We wouldn’t be surprised if they start packing the stuff into boxes this weekend.

For the tip, we owe a kind thanks to the proud owner of two new Alexander Olch ties “for $35 each!” and Handsome Clothing Co. — the first name in kick-ass graphic T’s, which is itself presently in sale mode.

Kesner – 524 Hudson St at W 10th St – 212-206-6330 – Map

Beginning Saturday, 8/15, the optical specialists at West Broadway boutique Morgenthal Frederics will be taking up to 75% off glasses and sunglasses, along with 20% off lenses. The sale runs through the end of the month, but supplies are hardly infinite.

Morgenthal Frederics – 399 West Broadway at Spring – 212-966-0099 – Map

Fall shipments are starting to arrive, and stores need to make room. Through Sunday, Bloomies is taking an additional 50% off “almost all” permanently reduced S/S ’09, which comes out to 60-80% off retail. And we’ve said it before, but Bloomies has recently done more than any other department store to bring smart labels on board, and make male shoppers feel like first class citizens.

Bloomingdales – 59th St & Lexington Avenue – 212-705-2000 – Map
Bloomingdales Soho – 504 Broadway between Spring & Broome – 212-729-5900 – Map