Tess Giberson Sample Sale: Most Items at $80

Tess Giberson Sample Sale

Deals of 70-85% off merchandise can be had at the Tess Giberson spring sample sale. Fashionable Femme Jen headed into Soho to check out the offerings. They were a hodgepodge of items which Jen just wasn’t impressed with:

Soulful sounds echo through the minimalist sleek Soho boutique, where the Tess Giberson sample sale is being held. Apart from two salespeople (and myself), the store was empty this afternoon. I felt like an intruder as my browsing disturbed the otherwise stagnant racks. Two private fitting rooms with a 5-item try-on limit are available in the back. Sale pricing is easily visible on round yellow stickers in the middle of each hanger. At least one sales associate is on call to answer questions.

Next to the entrance, neatly folded cardigans ($80) are spread among 4 square bins. One lone accessories bin has 2 knit hats and a belt for $20 each. Down the center, a hodgepodge of hanging samples ranging from $50 to $80 divide the store. At the front of the rack are dresses ($80) in a variety of muted colors—mostly solids. Next, hang a couple of solid knit sweaters ($80), some striped button-down cardigans ($80), and flowing and structured long pants and skirts ($80). Tees ($50) and assorted tops ($60) cap off the back of the rack. Although there are a range of sizes available (mostly in the 4-8 range for samples), most of the sample merchandise is fraying or unfinished. Quite a few pieces feature gaping holes and most of the true samples do not have size labels.

Against the right wall, there’s a decent selection of more traditional Tess Giberson sheer tops, blazer vests, and sweaters in a moderate color palette of black, beige, grey, cream and red. Some items of note are the Abstracted Blazer Vest (Orig. $595, $80 sale price), Cropped Trousers with Satin Waistband (Orig. 465, $60 sale price), chunky sleeveless scoop neck belted tunic ($80) and signature cashmere blend sweaters ($80) in grey, beige and red.

Using TJ Maxx as my standard baseline of comparison (in terms of selection and quality), I would say this sale is worthwhile for die-hard fans of the brand, or those looking for a decent bargain on fall/winter pieces. Otherwise, it will take effort to find something special amongst the meager offerings, sparse sizing and abundance of damaged pieces. You’ll likely have better luck at TJ Maxx on this one.