Yet another J.Crew sample sale is being held at Clothingline in the Garment District. There have been so many in the past months that I can no longer keep track. Our sale shopping pal, Artsy Anna, stopped into the space this afternoon to scope out the scene. Anna did not find the deals or the offerings enticing at all. Here’s what she had to say:
I left empty handed and uninspired.  There was a time when I couldn’t imagine thinking those words for I’ve been a J.Crew customer for almost 15 years. I recall one J.Crew warehouse sale back in 2002 where I bought enough to fill 6 heaping shopping bags. I was excited when J.Crew had their first New York sale last year. But now, I’m tired of it–tired of the same merchandise at mediocre markdowns season after season.  I’m beginning to get fed up with Clothingline’s terrible service and ridiculously rigid policies. And I’m not alone. Today’s turnout may be a sign that other shoppers have had enough of the J Crew x Clothingline collab.  Usually, I find a healthy crowd during the after work rush. But not today–unlike recent sales, there were absolutely no lines; not for entry, bag check or cash registers.
As for clothing — the sale includes the usual stuff: casual clothes, footwear (lots of sandals), swim, accessories, and special occasion items for women. There’s a limited selection for men and an even more limited selection for kids. Handbags start at $20 for small fabric styles and go up to $100 for medium and large leathers. Bathing suits are $15 to $35. Jewelry is marked $20-60 with 25-percent off the ticketed price. There are two $20 racks of Madewell denim. Shoes were so-so. Best of luck to the label’s devotees heading over here. You might find something. As for me, I won’t be back this week.
Where/When: Clothingline, 261 W. 36th St. (b/w 7th and 8th Avenues). 2nd Floor. Thru Thursday July 1. Daily (10-7pm).
You nailed it! I actually dreaded going to that sale last winter because of one clothingline employee- its the short fellow with curly hair – he may be an owner -he’s so incredibly abusive and seems to get a kick out of abusing young women & screaming at them and verbally abusing them—i noted he never dares scream at men — what a coward– he serves no purpose just runs around like a wind up doll screaming at women who are just trying to slect their items — i work at a company where all 20 of us used to go these sample sales but refuse because of him — most of his screaming is from where women are trying to select which items to buy from their collected items –if its such a bone of contention with him then why doesn’t he place one rack where women can hang up their items and selct which to pick –there s no rack and if you place your items on one of their clothing racks he actually pulls the items out of your hands –if you sit on floor and try to select items he screams at you — so where do you do this –i GAVE UP!!!! as did most people –its bad enough you cant try on but then you can’t even look at your items — so why not put up 1 empty rack– oh no that would be easy and prevnet him from screaming at women –my whole view of jcrew the company has slid downhill since they allowed clothingline and their abusive personnel to hold these sales ==
not one of the 20 women i work with showed up for this sale and it seems a lot of other women got the message!! a senior person at my company and real class act– said it best -she said –i had been going to clothingline sales for over 15 years and not once have any of these people whom i know know me for over 15 years have ever said hello or treated me with anything but disdain –what is wrong with these people –she sad I’m 65 years okd and refuse to be screamed at by some punk abusive and probably henpecked man to not look at my items before i purchase -enuf said
I ditto much of what you have said. I guess that the success of this place has gone to their heads. They should remember the golden rule about “THE CUSTOMER” Without us they don’t exist!! Not long ago I couldn’t wait for the “Sample Sales” Now they bring much of what the Outlets cannot get rid of!! And the sale on 33rd Street (Soiffer-Haskins). They used to have the best of the best at even better prices. Now they are making us pay for their move into their new place.
clothingline definitely sucks, but this was my first jcrew sale–i walked away with a pair of the capri sandals (just got 1 for $20, but I thought the 2 for $30 deal was pretty decent). Not being able to try on the clothing is silly, so I didn’t even touch the clothes, but I think the sale is good for those in the market for j.crew flip flops!
I had a good experience at Clothingline for a Graham Kandiah sale, but that was about five years ago. In addition, the bathroom was absolutely disgusting.
I actually was planning to write a letter to J Crew corporate letting them know that these sales are destroying their fanbase. I hate them now. Overpriced crap.
Does anyone know if there is a line at Fendi right now?
Hi Deme–just got back from Fendi. There’s no line!
You rock Anna Thx! Did you notice how much a dressy dress goes for? Need one asap
Yes Deme–I saw ballet length chiffon gowns and black cocktail styles at $199-299. I was looking at one myself but it was a size too big. Definitely more bags than dresses so I would scurry over there if you are looking for something specific.
Best of luck!
Ok they have me standing in a line of 3 people as ~12 exit. Feels like a club trying to give the ellusion of being in demand or popular by creating a line.
Thx again for the update Anna
Just left empty handed. No dress for me. Line is half block long but they just let in a huge group as the club is empty inside.
I really like these JCREW sample sales ! I hope they continue… I also think the owner Jordan is very sweet and cute:) but he’s quiet and has straight hair so I don’t think the same person mentioned above. Oh well , I hope they continue!
I think Jordan posted the last comment. I do agree that Jordan is very cute and sweet. I have been a loyal shopper of clothingline for years. I do agree that there were much better sample sales in the beginning such as Diesel, True Religion, Joie (what happened to those days), Alice & Olivia and White Warren (those were the days). To their defense I spoke to one of the guys that run clothingline and they said the clients didn’t make so many clothes due to the economy thus there was no overstock for sample sales. Well, that’s the version that I was told anyways. Nowadays clothingline has theory, J crew, Tory, Michael Stars, Michael Simon and it’s the same song over and over again. I wish they would go back to the days when they had those kickass sales. I did however find a great pair of J Crew jeans for $20.00 this afternoon. So, I can’t complain. Let’s see what they will have for the Theory sample sale in a few weeks. I’m guessing it will be alot of shirts and tank tops with holes.
Yes , i remember the rebecca taylor sample sales of 2001 –great sales back then — i think jordan is sweet too –if he did post the comment then he is a fan of sample sally thats prety cool!!!! and its pretty funny too to post a commnet regarding yourself !! im kidnof sick of milly and theory and tocca and repetto -i guess the people that work there are sick of them too –too bad they couldnt get the elizabeth james or the rest of the savvy sales
Who is Elizabeth James? I heard of savvy sales but have never been to any of their sample sales. Why do I get the feeling that the sample sales in the city have gone down in quality? Or maybe I don’t know the good places to go to.
Elizabeth James is the olsen twins line. Savvy is a middleman sample seller like clothingline. I think sample sales have gone downhill too –too expensvie!
they sold me a pair of flip flops (kids shoes and no try ons anyway– banded together by their employees) with two RIGHT feet and then wouldn’t return calls. ALSO be very careful shopping the last day of the sale. You can only return stuff for credit WHILE the same sale is going on.