Let Me Brag About My Sample Sale Victory

Plus, the return of princess tops and bent bags. | For Your Consideration, Vol. 3

Courtesy of COS; Warby Parker; Ferragamo.

Hello, and welcome back to B List! Today’s FYC post has a ton of shoppable goodness and trend tracking, but rather than begin our time together with a recap of last week’s market appointments, I’d like to share a story of sample sale triumph, documented in detail over on my TikTok.

If you know me, you know Brandon Maxwell is one of my favorite designers still showing in New York, so attending his shows the past two Februarys has been the ultimate treat. At the FW23 show, I became fixated on the oversized, hardware-heavy clutches models clasped carelessly as they floated down the runway. I told myself I’d buy one the second they hit the market, as a reminder of the show I’d so enjoyed attending.

Welp, after a year of checking the site, I simply never saw them. I gave up on the idea of getting my dream clutch, convinced it was a runway-only sample.

The lust-worthy clutch in question. Courtesy of Brandon Maxwell.

Imagine my surprise when last week, 260SampleSale posted a peek inside their Brandon Maxwell sample sale and I spotted not only my beloved clutch, but one in every colorway! I raced over and, thankfully, not a single one had sold. (Admittedly, they don’t have a ton of curb appeal. If you hadn’t seen the piece on the runway, you might not have felt inclined to pick it up.)

A stamping of “Approved Final Sample” on the bag’s closure confirmed my suspicions that these were right-from-the-runway samples, and for just $250, I was elated to take the black one home.

[Later, one of my TikTok followers confirmed to me that this bag did indeed once exist on the BM site, and that it retailed for a whopping $3,595. Imagine!]

I was happy enough with this major score that I decided to keep looking around, and it didn’t take long for me to find a single black dress from Pre-Fall 2023 that fit me like a glove — sold! An unexpected but timeless buy, I was almost as excited about the dress as I was the bag I’d been lusting over for an entire year.

Anyway, I’ll delay you no longer. Read on for the return of the going-out top of my youth, the bag silhouette I predict we’ll soon see everywhere, the activewear color of the season, a major eyewear collab and more. Dig in!

Did COS Revive The Princess Top?

Courtesy of Mare Mare; COS; my friend David who hasn’t deleted a photo since 2010; Tuckernuck.

Someone, anyone — tell me I’m not the only one who has a visceral reaction to seeing this shirt again. During the brand’s Spring Summer 2024 show at the Corsie Sistine in Rome, COS emphasized one laid-back summer silhouette in particular: a flowy off-the-shoulder long-sleeved top paired back to coordinating billowy pants. The look was showed not once, not twice, but three times, in shades of mustard, white, and black.

Back in my high school and college years, I worked at a boutique on the Jersey shore in which we sold roughly 25 of this exact shirt daily. In fact, it was expected that we’d arrive for our shift and swap our real clothes in favor of whichever color we were trying to push that day. And it would work, every damn time!

The “princess top,” as it was referred to by my co-workers, was a blousy off-the-shoulder style that could be worn absolutely everywhere, and we styled it with absolutely everything. See above for an incredibly humbling photo of me wearing a lilac-colored version to Taylor Swift’s Red Tour in 2013 (David and I are fans to this day).

COS’s iteration is certainly cooler, as is the Euro Summer styling, but I’m not quite sure I’m ready to see this look leave the runway (and my memory) and re-enter sartorial society. Still, updated iterations from brands like Tuckernuck and Mare Mare show the top is here to stay.

On The Rise: Bent Bags

Courtesy of Tory Burch; Ferragamo.

When two of my favorite designers start pushing a similar shape, I know it’s only a matter of time before bags like this are absolutely everywhere. Ferragamo came first, of course, with structured Tote Bags ($2,450) boasting cinched sides that give a worn-in, almost bent look to the usual tote silhouette. They’ve even debuted smaller Handbags ($2,300) with a similar bend, although the rounded corners on these give it more of a puzzle piece shape (almost reminiscent of Ganni’s Butterfly Bags).

The trend has yet to fully take, but contemporary designers like Tory Burch have already shown signs of approval. Described by the brand as “an update on the 90s-era doctor shape,” the Swing Satchel ($645) has a similar feel to the Ferragamo tote, although the shiny brushed leather and pops of white gold hardware give it a decidedly more femme feel (and, importantly, this bag will lose its “bend” if weighed down).

There’s also the Mini Swing Satchel ($398), but the bend is so minimal, you’re better off going big or splurging on the Ferragamo version. Unless, of course, you’re a sucker for Burch’s sublime colorways — Wheat Grass green gets me every time.

The Sunnies of the Season

Courtesy of Warby Parker.

I am a Warby Parker stan (we worked together on this delightful ad during NYFW, if you recall) and I believe their sunglasses are seriously slept on. It’s a shame, and I’ve told their team numerous times that there must be a way to get their sunnies on the fashion set’s radar. Welp, it appears they’ve finally found the way: cue a brand-new collaboration with Theophilio designer Edvin Thompson.

With hues inspired by Thompson’s Jamaican childhood in mind, the duo has created a new frame that is, without a doubt, the coolest style from WP yet. I’ve personally got my eyes on the Shaunies ($145) in the yellow-and-red color combo dubbed “Lemon Slice”, but others might prefer the greyscale “Shade” or red-and-green “Sorrel” options.

Designer sunnies for under $150? Consider this further proof that Warby Parker can do no wrong.

A Case of the Gym Rat Blues

Courtesy of Nike; lululemon; Athleta.

It takes a lot to get me excited about activewear, but one color trend has me eager to make the most of moving my body: bright, beautiful sky blue. Similarly to how cerulean popped up in the collections of eight different designers after Oscar’s collection of cerulean gowns in 2002 and YSL’s cerulean military jackets (if you don’t get this TDWP reference, B List may not be for you), a specific shade of blue has been showing up all across the collections of various activewear brands.

lululemon wins for best name, with “Sinatra Blue” elevating styles like their Varsity High-Rise Pleated Tennis Skirt ($88). Athleta (my personal favorite for activewear) just debuted their own take, dubbed “Heron Blue”, and I’ve be eyeing the Transcend 7/8 Tight ($89) in the shade despite never really venturing beyond leggings in dark colors. Over at Nike, “Light Armory Blue” is my color of choice in the Nike Go Firm-Support High-Waisted 8" Biker Shorts ($52.97, originally $70) and matching Phoenix Fleece Sweatshirt ($70).

SYSS (Stuff You Should See)

Courtesy of Fendi; Reformation; Fenty Skin; Nike.

1. Everyone lost their collective mind over the Fendi x Chupa Chups lollipop holders, but I’m far more intrigued by the brand’s Fortune Teller Charm ($490). Not only is the nappa leather accessory adorable, but it really works. Ask it a question and reveal eight different answers — just don’t ask if ~$500 is too much for a keychain.

2. Reformation launched swimwear, and the Tossa One Piece ($178) is one of the coolest suits I’ve seen this season. The fakeout bra look is one that intimidates me IRL, but on the beach — where no one will assume I’ve accidentally shown my real bra — it’s an illusion I absolutely love.

3. Behold, the lip balm my entire family has been fighting over since I packed it for vacation: the Fenty Skin Plush Puddin’ Intensive Recovery Lip Mask ($23). Beloved for its ultra-nourishing feel, kalahari melon scent, and slight sparkle, it’s the kind of lip treatment I can apply before bed, and wake up with it still on my lips. Plus, the twist-up applicator was designed to be long nail friendly. Riri knows her customer!

4. I’m considering a new pair of sneakers for daily wear, and the Nike Phoenix Waffle Sneaker ($100) has some great colorways. I can’t decide and I’m willing to be swayed, so LMK your favorite.

x BG