I overheard a shopper confess to her friend, “I never usually buy anything here” as she browsed a rack at Scoop in the Meatpacking District, clutching about seven pieces tightly to her chest. With its designer price points and trendy wears, Scoop isn’t a place I frequent either, unless I want to torture myself. But it turns out we both picked a good day to drop by: Scoop’s currently having its “Ultimate Closet Clean-Out Sale,” during which customers take an additional 50 percent off already marked down price tags. I haven’t seen markdowns as luscious as these since last year’s Barney’s Warehouse Sale. These white tags were so marked down they looked like they were bleeding.
With discounts this high, I expected some hair pulling, but the two-floor designer clothing temple was surprisingly calm this past Sunday—all of the aggressive shoppers must have migrated uptown for the Jason Wu for Target launch. Thus, with no thrown elbows or hits to the head, I was left to browse comfortably. But considering the heavy markdowns, I have a feeling the tranquil, unruffled atmosphere I experienced won’t last much longer.
Given that this is a warehouse sale, there are a limited amount of sizes in stock, and it takes some serious legwork to find a piece you like that’s actually in your size—a girl can only attempt to wiggle into size 24 jeans so many times before it gets embarrassing. Or, like me, you can convince yourself that the size eight Rag & Bone Newbury bootie actually fits. Remember kids, an additional 50 percent off.
The biggest eye candy is on display straight across from the main entrance: formal and silk dresses by upscale brands (think Missoni, Phillip Lim, and DVF) with insane price drops. Also on the top floor were cashmere and wool cardigans, baskets of belts, and, oh yes, the denim. Jeans lined the whole back left wall, with pairs marked down 50 percent and then some (and as any jean lover knows, these bottoms never go out of style).
Scoop’s sale bills itself as an “end of season warehouse sale,” but after walking downstairs, it seems to transcend seasons: Printed dresses, shorts, linen tops and tunics, and bathing suits are also marked down, just in time for spring.
Downstairs is also where you’ll find the shoes, and a healthy supply of tourists was attacking the selection (naturally). I don’t speak Italian, but taking into account their euphoric faces and the amount of shoes they were trying on, I’m guessing the exchange rate is pretty darn good.
The rest of the clientele were trendy, downtown types. Two girls purred with laughter about how one’s dad was supposed to join them to shop that day: “The thought of your dad trying on these clothes is kinda … ridiculous.” Other more youthful shoppers were frustrated that the prices weren’t more marked down, “I want to go somewhere cheap!” one exclaimed. Her two girlfriends settled on H&M.
Further markdowns are a likely possibility, for Scoop’s racks are currently pretty stocked, and they receive a supply of new pieces and sizes daily. If you think about it, the stuff has to go at some point. Even still, I was pretty impressed with Scoop’s sale: It offers the same high-fashion labels as Barney’s and Bergdorf’s but at major discounts and with a no-frills scene.
The real bargain hunters know that NYC sales can get a little crazy. Just this past winter, a video leaked of women at the DVF sample sale scrambling over Mongolian fur vests. At Scoop, I could pick up the same fur vest (yes—they have them) without getting into a scuffle with a stranger. The vest felt luxurious, and a week earlier I would have glanced at the price tag and run for the hills, but at nearly 90 percent off, I almost considered buying it.
Scoop NYC is located at 430 West 14th St. (at Washington Street). Hours are Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Claire Stern is a Barnard College senior majoring in English. Buyer’s Remorse runs alternate Fridays.
