We imagine that you have heard about the political hoopla regarding the fact that the Republican National Committee spent nearly $150,000.00 on clothing for Vice Presidential hopeful Sarah Palin and her family? The story broke first over on Politico and has been making waves ever since.

 Now the big deal is not about that she is wearing high quality designer clothing. Everyone seems to agree that she looks great and that she need to look the part of knowledge and authority. And really, it does seem like all the main candidates do wear expensive designer digs; that’s not the issue. We don’t even care that the RNC paid for it and or whether or not it all goes to charity should Sarah need to return to Alaska and her fuzzy parkas.

 It’s just that spending 150K on designer threads is not smart shopping! What were they thinking paying full price???

It’s just not necessary when you can get the same designer look for so much less at Loehmann’s!

 As Washington Post’s Robin Givhan writes; 

 ” How do you sell someone as a no-frills hockey mom who sold the state plane and fired the official cook and hunted her own moose meat, and then try to explain wardrobing her in clothes from Neiman Marcus — a store occasionally referred to by aggrieved, frugal shoppers as Needless Markup? ……..Any retail expert can tell you that part of being a good merchant is finding a way of speaking to who it is the customer believes herself to be. A smart retailer stands for something. And in our culture Neiman Marcus stands for “elite,” not for “Everyman.”

The fact is that even those of us that adore top name brands and fabulous clothing, know how to find a great deal at Loehmann’s. 

 Now the bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined total of $49,425.74, reports Politico. And that’s not all. There were also two major shopping sprees to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one in early September that rang up a staggering bill of $75,062.63. Payments in September were also made to Barney’s New York ($789.72), Bloomingdale’s New York ($5,102.71) and Macy’s in Minneapolis ($9,447.71).  

That’s a pretty hefty junk of change, and as shown by the Washington Post, just not needed at all. The Reliable Source’s Roxanne and Amy actually went shopping at both Neiman Marcus and Loehmann’s to find appropriate vice presidential clothing.  Dollar for dollar, it went like this:

 

In case you don’t feel like doing the math, that’s a savings of $11,526.82 by going to Loehmann’s.

 Want to know more? Follow these links:

Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2008/10/rs-palin23.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/22/AR2008102202187.html?nav=rss_politics  

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/23/AR2008102301432_2.html   

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/24/AR2008102401029.html  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/24/AR2008102400631.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/23/AR2008102303330.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/10/23/DI2008102301241.html

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7685067.stm

LA Times; http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-palinshop23-2008oct23,0,5314359.story?track=rss:

WWD: http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/palins-fashiongate-1841561

The Atlantic: http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/10/republicans_disgusted_by_rnc_s.php

Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14844.html

 

Tags: Fashion News, News, Office Clothing, Women's Fashion by admin
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Hi all,

I know most of us didn’t get to partake in the huge Diesel Jean 30^th Anniversary Party. Even though there were 17 parties in 8 time zones and  since Mick Jagger was in New York and an “entertainment spaceship crash landing on Tokyo’ on Saturday the 11^th,  we somehow missed the invite. Thankfully, with Loehmann’s you can still take part in celebrating this men’s jeans collection.

Loehmann’s is offering new Diesel men’s designer denim at 40% to 55% off department store prices.

Yup. You heard me right.

That translates to 99.99 for some of the finest crafted fitted men’s jeans. With details as nickel-free rivets, trims that cost six times the price of regular ones and double loops that can fit both thick and skinny belt, we know there is a reason why Diesel annually churns out seven million pairs of five-pocket jeans and has been able to for 30 years.

Standard pricing for these men’s modern jean run between $160 and $240, but if you have worn a pair of Diesel Jeans, then you know why they are worth the money. A Diesel specialty from the very beginning has been the washes, treatments and dyes used in the creation of this designer line. They never used bleach or chlorine to fade the denim; rather going for a unique artisan process that ages the material using only water and stones. This makes the aging process extend from a 30 minute chemical wash to a laborious 3 hours process.

“This is why our jeans age and fade very well and look better when they’re worn out. We gained experience here by studying 19th-century Levi’s that were manufactured with artisanal techniques,” said  Diesel creator, Renzo Rosso.

 With 30 years of such success, we do not require much more proof that it works. Diesel knows how to make a great jean and at Loehmann’s great discounted prices; the perfection only doubles. So remember to get yourself over to Loehmann’s beginning October 24^th to partake in these great savings while the Diesel supply lasts.  Please note selection will vary by store.

You heard it from Jack!

Tags: Fashion News, Jack's Buying Hints, Men's Style, New Selections, Special Deals by Jack
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WABC Reporter, Kemberly Richardson of  Eyewitness News, visited the Loehmann’s Chelsea store in New York for the best in discount clothing.

Looking for the hottest fashion trends of the summer as identified by Lucky Magazine, Kemberly was on the hunt to find the best of the best; all for under $100. Of course, Loehmann’s is the place to find the best in designer must have’s at discounted prices.

Floral patterned dresses and tunics plus colorful and trendy beads and bangles were had. Kemberly found summer shorts of all lengths including fun nautical styles. Also on the list was groovy “bohemian chic” maxi dresses in colorful patterns. 

Unable to pass up on super savings and fabulous finds, Kemberly even bought a wondeful white spring coat and sundress for herself!

 The segment will be aired on Monday, June 9th during the 5 o’clock news at approximately 5:40pm.

If you are wondering what summer trends might be waiting for you at your local Loehmann’s, then this will give you a nice tempting peek and inspiration. Don’t miss it!!

Tags: Fashion News, NYC, Summer by admin
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Coming in June to the Loehmann’s Blog:  Buyers LoehDown!

We are so pleased to announce  new authors to our blog here at Loehmann’s. Beginning in June, we shall have postings from our head men’s and women’s clothing buyers.

Jack and Ava shall be authoring blog posts that will give Loehmann’s shoppers greater insight on new and upcoming collections coming into Loehmann’s locations.  With information coming directly from them as they wander through the inner sanctums of the designers’ fashion world, these reports are sure to become tantalizing peeks into upcoming Loehmann’s merchandise. 

Ladies Clothing Buyers, Men’s Clothing Buyers:

At Loehmann’s, our buyers work hard finding the best quality fashion merchandise at the best prices for you.  Jack is head of the men’s division and will be bringing you the latest news on men’s fashions and sportswear coming into Loehmann’s.  Ava handles the women’s designer clothing and will be reporting on the hot new trends and fashion must haves to look out for.

As Loehmann’s buyers, Jack and Ava go directly to the source, negotiating discounts, so you don’t have to. Before the email flyers get printed, before information gets on our “what’s new page”, they will be able to let you know what coming up as the deals are made. While they cannot tell you the names of all the designers directly, both Jack and Ava will be dropping tempting hints and arrival periods so you can plan your shopping accordingly.  It will be like having your own personal shopper, but budget minded to boot!

How does this discount magic happen?

Jack, Ava and their crew of Loehmann’s buyers are extremely conscience of three very important factors that need to all be in place; the label, the price and the actual product. They are looking for a synergy of the elements that make the purchase more than just a great deal; it has to be a Loehmann’s quality deal.

If we are looking at a designer wrap dress, for instance, and the designer label is in high demand, it won’t work if the price is not in line.  In the same vein, if the price is fine, but the label is not in demand at all, then that dress won’t make it to the Loehmann’s selling floor either.  Or it could be a preferred label, at a good price, but either a low quality or just undesirable product and that won’t make it pass Ava’s muster either.

Jack and Ava read the same fashion magazines that you do!

Religious is the word used to describe how Ava subscribes to fashion culture though Jack has a pretty impressive collection of magazines as well. The fashion magazines and celebrity fashion favorites are key elements in making sure that the products that make it to the Loehmann’s floor will be fashion finds and what our customers want to buy.

Local demographics also play a part in the initial purchases; so the Beverly Connection Loehmann’s in trendy LA might have different products than Troy, Michigan just based on the customer’s needs, their attention to image and trends, and the seasonal weather differences.  A Chicago winter is very different than a Phoenix winter and stock is decided on accordingly as well.

The purchases on key items and what has been moving on the floor are also factored in. If, say, a certain name brand of designer jeans are sold out within a few days, then Ava makes sure that stock is replaced if at all possible. We know what Loehmann’s customers want and the buyers do their best to get it.

The same designer labels as department stores at the same time:

Jack and Ava’s goals are to get the same exact designer fashion clothing as your local department stores and speciality stores.  Yes, that is really the same labels with no restrictions. It is not unusual for an item to be in a well known department store at the suggested retail price at the same time the item is at Loehmann’s at a minimum of 40% off the ticketed price.

Direct contact with the various manufacturers also provides “exclusive” access to many labels and products. Loehmann’s cleans them out of overstocks and then has control of the entire off price distribution of that label.

How does fashion apparel become an “Overstock”?

An overstock is not a bad thing at all, though it might sound as like “unwanted” merchandise.

After a designer shows a collection, the buyers form the various department stores and boutiques place their orders.  Then the line goes into production.  Frequently the fabric must be ordered from one manufacturer at a certain standard bulk quantity for pricing and the actual construction of the garment is also ordered by quantity as well. 

So, for instance, if a certain blouse has garnished 800 orders after the initial showing, and it takes one yard of fabric to make each blouse, the design house might still find it in their best interest to order 1200 yards of fabric. Then, when the blouse goes into production, the designer gets better pricing on the manufacturing of 1000 blouses, rather than the needed 800.  The 200 blouses that were not slated for a particular store’s distribution become the overstocks.

Both the original ordered blouses and the overstocks are made in the same place out of the same material at the same time. Instead of the designers trying to find a store to purchase the extra 200 blouses, they sell them to Loehmann’s and then the Loehmann’s buyers deliver them to the selling floor as quickly as possible.

 And you benefit!

Jack, Ava and their legion of buyers comb the designers’ haunts to find you the best deals on current designer fashion.  With the introduction of their voices on this blog, you will have an even greater chance to benefit from their labors, so stay tuned for their insight and fashion tips.

Welcome Jack and Ava!  Let the Buyer’s LoehDown begin!

Tags: Ava's Loehdown, Fashion News, Jack's Buying Hints, Special Deals by admin
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