Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
Although there's not much stock at the Lela Rose sample sale, the dresses, tops, and skirts are over 70% off. When you get to the 14th floor, don't be surprised if you have to wait a minute to enter (they were taking two to three people in at a time when we arrived this morning), since the tiny space doubles as a dressing room. (Which means no boyfriends or boys are allowed in.) Racks are arranged by size from 0/2 up to a 14/16. A word of warning: customers were hanging up their picks on the center racks while they tried things on, so don't try to snag someone else's items.
In sizes 0 through 6, we found a pink crop top for $175, a flower print pencil skirt for $195 (was $695), a blush lace sheath dress for $495 and a brown classic sheath dress for $250 (was $1,495). There was also a pair of ivory Caroline pants for $50 (were $595), and a black and ivory polka dot pencil skirt for $195 (was $995). In sizes 8 through 14, we noticed more orchid drop waist dresses for $195, white off-the-shoulder dresses for $495, and raised-seam scuba dresses for $495 (were $1,295). Also noted: high waist gray pant for $50 (were $795) and a lavender tank blouse for $250 (was $795).
Styles common across all sizes include a blush V-neck dress for $695 (was $2,495) and a favorite from this season, the ombre embroidered polka-dot skirt also for $695 (was $2,495). At the back right hand corner, there are three boxes, one with $40 items including navy and ivory tile knit sweaters, and a pearl knit sweater (most size large or extra large). Another box had $250 knit dresses with lace hems.
The morning crowd was rather aggressive, so Lela's employees recommend getting there around 2 or 3pm, when things usually calm down.