Black Friday with a Preppish Influence

Hello-Hello, and Happy Thanksgiving once again.

It’s that time…. a look at Black Friday Sales & Savings opportunities with a preppish slant. As always, we have done the best we can in terms of information gathering, but if you have any questions, do check with your individual store to verify our information.

• At LL Bean, those spending $50 or more receive a $10 gift card, and shipping is free with any purchase through December 20, use promo code TIMETOSHOP and pin# 2310
• The same applies at LL Bean Signature.

• Lands’ End is taking $20 off purchases of $75 or more, those spending $150 or more receive $50 off
• Lands’ End Canvas continues its ongoing sale…
• And Canvas is also offering a new discounting promotion, The Classifieds, very similar to the Orvis Tent Sale

• Brooks Brothers is repeating its special of last year, an additional 15% off your entire online purchase through Saturday, and in-store Friday and Saturday until noon. There are also special discounts on various items, too many to list here.
• Brooks Brothers Factory Stores: 40% off entire purchase through Sunday. Those shopping before noon on Friday and Saturday will receive an additional 10% off their purchase.

Brooks Brothers

• Polo Ralph Lauren offers an additional 25% off many already-reduced items.

Polo Ralph Lauren

• At Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Stores, there are a number of different savings.

Via Daddy 'O Deals

• Nautica is offering 40% off the entire site, use promo code SAVE40 to receive the discount.

• Tommy Hilfiger suggests avoiding the crowds, continuing its 30% off special online and in-store through the 30th.

Tommy Hilfiger

• Tommy Hilfiger Factory Stores: take 40% off the entire store on Friday

• Regular J. Crew stores are taking 25% off purchases of $150 or more, online use promo code TURKEY
• J. Crew Factory Stores offer those shopping before 8am an additional 40% off clearance merchandise.
• J. Crew Factory Online is doing 40% off all styles through midnight Friday night. A few cautionary notes, this does not apply to Factory Stores, while the graphic says ‘two days only,’ the fine print says the offer ends Sunday night.

• Kate Spade offers 10% off your entire purchase with a coupon slated to arrive shortly via email; the company’s Facebook page also has the coupon. Additionally, the “Find the Penguin” promotion returns, items marked with the little guy are 20% off.

• Tory Burch: Those spending $300 or more in-store and online receive 30% off; use promo code GETGIFTS. Also, customers who spending more than $150 get a free tote bag.

• Coach Factory Stores have an additional 20% off promotion, click here to print a coupon for use in-store.

• Ann Taylor: Until noon on Friday, 40% off entire purchase, if shopping online, use promo code THANKS at checkout
• Ann Taylor Loft: 40% off entire purchase, use promo code ENJOY at checkout (no end date for this offer is shown)

Ann Taylor Loft

• Gap stores:

Gap Stores

“Start out your Black Friday shopping with style! Get 50% off the entire store until 10am only.

Offer ends at 10am sharp at all Gap, GapKids, babyGap, and GapBody stores. Certain restrictions apply. Only select stores will open at midnight. Please check with your local stores for their operating hours.”

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Gap is also doing free shipping on orders totaling more than $50.

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As many are no doubt aware, Target decided to open on Thanksgiving. To see their discounts, click here.

Vera Bradley has a number of special offerings online and in-store, including a free tote Friday, but only for in-store shoppers spending more than $100. For more information on the company’s promotions, click here.

• Saks continues its sale, with increased discounts on Friday from 8am to noon, including an additional 50% off already reduced prices.  For shoppers spending more than $100 in cosmetics/fragrances, the retailer is offering a $25 gift card.
• Until Noon on Friday shoppers at Saks Off 5th outlets receive  additional savings of 30%-50% off entire purchase

• Neiman Marcus continues its sale, look for increased discounting in-store and online.
• Neiman Marcus Last Call has an enticing offer for those who can cope with the mayhem:

Last Call

• Bergdorf Goodman continues its 5F (designer) sale.

• Banana Republic is taking 25% off your entire purchase online and in-store through Sunday night, use promo code BRTHANKS at checkout.

Banana Republic

• Talbots is offering a variety of special deals, one item to be discounted, the cotton cabled turtlenecks normally selling at $69.50 will be $25.00, although we don’t know the duration of the markdowns. Additional, the retailer is offering free shipping with any purchase.

And a few shops or promotions that won’t appeal to everyone:

• Apple is teasing a one-day shopping event, from our experience this is unlikely to offer significant savings.

Apple

• It’s Clinique Bonus Time at Saks, that means we need to toddle on over and purchase a lot of unnecessary cosmetics and peruse the counter, the gift shown below accompanies a $35 purchase. If shopping online, use promo code CLINQUEG to receive the gift.

Saks Fifth Avenue

• Coach fans may be interested in the current purchase-with-purchase at Dillard’s.  A special Coach cosmetic bag filled with goodies is offered at $35 with the purchase of any Estee Lauder fragrance.

Tiffany Says Not in Our Backyard, Next Target Designers Revealed, Black Friday

Hello-Hello and welcome to a Monday!

We begin with a tale about Tiffany; this time it is the story of the luxury retailer’s lawsuit against its landlord in Century City (California).  It seems the jeweler is making it ever-so-clear they do not want fast-fashion merchandiser H&M as a neighbor. (As in H&M that just did the wildly popular ‘Jimmy Choo for H&M’ line, described in this post.)

Apparently Tiffany believes having H&M as a neighbor would be just this side of apocalyptic; the LA Times has more:

“H&M is not a luxury or upscale retailer. H&M is at best characterized as a ‘popular-price’ mass merchandise clothing retailer.”

“The location of the H&M store will cause irreparable injury to Tiffany’s business reputation as a luxury retailer, a reputation that Tiffany has enjoyed and worked hard to maintain for more than a century and a half,” the lawsuit said.”

While understanding a brand’s desire to protect its caché, the story points out that in Pasadena the two stores are almost next door to each other. Other stories on the topic wonder about Tiffany’s efforts to embrace the ‘aspirational shopper,’ those coveting upscale brands while also shopping mass retailers like H&M.

Courtesy Tiffany

Many such consumers are precisely the same customers fond of merchandise displaying a retailer’s logo, something Tiffany has marketed strongly the last several years.

It will be interesting to see how this turns out. We do want to note this is not ‘new news,’ as we are wont to say; the original story broke in September and yours truly keeps forgetting to post it.

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A few more retail notes today, including word on the next two accessories designers for Targèt; the Cynthia Vincent for Target collection will launch at Target stores nationwide and at Target.com from April 18, available through through July 1. Below, several styles from Ms. Vincent’s Fall 09 Collection.

Also, headwear from Eugenia Kim will debut next year, it is going to be the first hat launch in Target’s series of limited-time-only accessories. The Eugenia Kim for Target collection debuts April 18, running through June 20. Below, looks from the 2008 Eugenia Kim line.

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There is also news that Forever 21 has launched its love and beauty cosmetic line.

Courtesy Forever 21 via WWD

Everything in the new line is priced at $10 or less; it all appears to be available online.

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Before delving headfirst into our next topic it is time we are honest with our cherished readers; we do not participate in Black Friday.  It is really not our cup of tea; additionally, we are always blessed by a visit from The Queen Mother for Thanksgiving, precluding any chance to partake of the mayhem. Such a shame. (Cough-cough.)

We still desire to maintain contributions to the PPP (Pocketbook Protection Program), continuing efforts at providing a list of fiscally friendly locales for the upcoming frenzy.

To be fair, there are far too many special markdowns, discounts and promotions to accurately track; we are including those we believe to be of the most interest to our bloggy friends.

Here we go, beginning with Talbots, already offering 20% off merchandise and free shipping; use offer code 020556520 at checkout to receive the discounts.

Martin & Osa will discount all denim (regularly $89.50 – $120) and cashmere to $59 (regularly priced at $130 – $170).

• Brooks Brothers: November 27th and Saturday, November 28th until 12:00 noon each day. Shop Early and receive an additional 15% off your entire purchase; receive an additional 5% when using your MasterCard or your Brooks Brothers Platinum MasterCard

• J. Crew Outlet stores will take an additional 40% off Clearance merchandise before 8am Friday morning; clearly one should check with their local factory store for hours
  • Other discounts at Crew outlets  for the weekend include 30% – 50% off select holiday styles & 30 – 40% off select Crewcuts holiday styles

• Tommy Hilfiger Factory Stores: 40% off the entire store all day on Black Friday (the 27th)
  • There are additional discounts for specific days, including the Wednesday before Thanksgiving; to download coupons providing these markdowns, click here.

• Banana Republic Outlets: 40% Off Any Purchase

• Old Navy stores: Open 12 – 7pm on Thanksgiving Day, & 3am – midnight on Black Friday, too many discounts to list

• Henri Bendel 8-10am Friday:
  • Save 40% on all Cold Weather Knit Hats, Scarves & Gloves
  • Save 40% on Bath & Body Collection
  • Save 25% on Candle Collections, Home Fragrance, Sweet Treats
  • (After 10am these items remain on sale but at 25% off)

• Macys.com continues its Thanksgiving sale with savings of 20% to 50%, ending 11/28.

• Lacoste: 30% off everything in the store

We are still seeking verifiable information on the following stores: Ann Taylor & Ann Taylor Loft, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Polo Ralph Lauren & Polo Ralph Lauren Factory stores, Brooks Brothers Factory stores.

NOTE: Please be sure to note if we are citing discounts at regular stores and factory stores or outlets.  Be sure to let us know if you have information to share on any preptastic shopping opportunities and we’ll pass it along.  If looking for other products, here are some general Black Friday sites:

• Black-Friday.net
• BlackFridayAds
• GottaDeal.com
• BlackFriday2009.com

Savvy shoppers may remember that after all the Black Friday comes Cyber Monday: the day when online retailers offer special deals.  That tradition is alive and well here at The Princess, in fact, we’ll have a little surprise for what we’re calling Pink & Green Monday.

Until next time, do let us know if you

More Preppy Black Friday Sales: Kate Spade, Hayden Harnett, LL Bean, More

Hello-Hello!

The Princess has managed to wheel herself away from the table and we are now situated at the trusty iMac, ready to fulfill our vow to bring you the latest in retail offerings of a preppish nature, particularly those with a fiscally friendly disposition.

But quickly, before those dreadful Black Friday sales (heh-heh-heh), let’s give away some goodies!  The Princess Consort used a random number generator to select the winner who will receive this ever-so-snappy Perfect Circles apron (and matching gloves, of course)…

PreppyPrincess.com

and the Preppy Stripes Notecards…

PreppyPrincess.com

all from the Preppy Princess is….

The Landlocked Mermaid!

Whoo-hoo! Miss Mermaid, send us your particulars, as well as your how you would like the cards personalized, and we’ll get things ready to head your way!  And if you mentioned the Giveaway on your blog, do let us know so that you can send this week’s bonus gift to whomever you choose!

The prize package for the Great Preppy Giveaway Week #4 includes our exclusive Have a Whale of a Holiday notecards:

PreppyPrincess.com

These happy sea creatures shout out “Happy Happy,” “Merry Merry,” and “Joyful Joyful,” just in time for your correspondence needs. We’ll be adding another treasure or two to the prize pack, so check back! Or follow us on Twitter, we’ll definitely Tweet a time or tow as this is updated.

To enter, simply leave a comment telling us one Christmas or Hanukkah wish you have. That’s it – just a comment sharing a wish.

Now on to the business at hand, starting with one of TP’s favorites:

Best & Co.

Offering simply outstanding merchandise for the next generation, Best & Company is doing 50% off everything online, like this Shoshanna for Best & Co. Sailboat Bathing Suit with a darling bow on the back.

Perfect for your annual trip to St. John over the holidays, there is also a nautical theme Shoshanna Suit for Boys:

Best & Co.

(Miss Kate, we are not even going here, you will be so tired of us harassing you!) The promo code at Best is BESTTHANKS.

The Kate Spade Black Friday promotion discounts a percentage of your purchase tied to the amount you are spending; this is only applicable at retail stores, not online. However, the online sale is nothing to scoff at, IOHO.

Kate Spade

LL Bean is repeating their promotion from previous years, spend $50 and receive a $10 gift card.

LL Bean

At Hayden-Harnett, the Thankful Sale is underway with great markdowns and free ground shipping for all online orders; the sale runs through Monday, December 1st.

Bargains include the Capri Coin Purse in loads of fun patterns and colors with some at only $14 and others at just $18.48, a great stocking stuffer that was originally $28!

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Over at Bergdorf’s the frenzy continues:

Bergdorf Goodman

And at Neiman Marcus, it appears almost everything is on sale, either an additional % off the price, or already substantially reduced as part of Last Call.  Here are Neiman’s current offerings:

• Save as much as 60% off* original prices in Women’s Contemporary Apparel, Sportswear, Outerwear, Dresses, Intimate Apparel, Women’s Shoes, Cashmere, Men’s, and Kids when you take an extra 30% to 40% off already-reduced sale prices.
• save 30% off* all Holiday Decor
• Take 1/3 off* all Bedding (INCLUDING SALE!)

These promotional prices are good for the 28th and 29th; online they end at 7am EST December 1st.

The good folks at Vineyard Vines are providing free shipping for all purchases totaling more than $50 through midnight November 30th.

At Bloomingdale’s the Big Brown Bag sale continues through Sunday at midnight, with an additional 40% Off ‘select sale merchandise,’ including this Cashmere Hat, originally $62, about $26 after all the discounts. The Big Brown sale also applies to the Home Store.  For free shipping on orders more than $100, the promotion code is SHIPXMAS; this offers is good through December 19, so you may want to hide away the code.

At Barneys the annual Winter Sale continues…

Barneys

… with deeper discounts being applied as of this morning.

Alexander McQueen is taking 40% off ready-wear, shoes, bags, and accessories through December. That means the oh-so-wonderful Europa Fox could have the Union Jack ankle boot for only $764 as opposed to the original price of $1280. Hhhhmmmm… we are not seeing Miss Europa traipsing around the Lake Country in these, even at their greatly reduced cost.

The Gap is offering a great BOGO (Buy One Get One) promotion for sweaters. This ends tonight in stores but runs through December 1st online.

Ends 12.1.08

It seems there is always a sale at Joseph A. Bank (indeed).  Here are their Black Friday specials:

• Cashmere Bomber Jackets- $199.00
  Cashmere V-Neck Sweaters- $79.00
  Executive 2-Button Cashmere Blazers- $199.00
  Executive 2-Button Wool/Cashmere Suit- $139.00
  Executive 3-Button Cashmere Blazers- $199.00
  Executive 3-Button Wool/Cashmere Suit- $139.00
  Signature Cashmere Topcoats- $299.00
  Solid Cashmere Scarves- $29.00

Those still in need of the J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic, Polo Ralph Lauren and/or Lacoste Black Friday promotions, simply click here.

And if you are anywhere near East Hampton tomorrow, don’t forget the Arts & Crafts Fair at the middle school gym, it is always fun!

J. Crew Thinks You’ve Changed & Preppy Black Friday Sales: Lacoste, J Crew, Brooks Brothers, More

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here at the Prepatorium we realize almost everyone is interested in Black Friday, or perhaps Cyber Monday. In a word: savings. Everyone is seeking sales. Discounts. Markdowns. Tips on ‘fiscally friendly’ shopping, we know that.

But first, a quick recap on the latest news from J. Crew, all of it impacting how you spend your trust fund when shopping at the specialty retailer.  Speaking with analysts yesterday about the company’s performance, J. Crew CEO Mickey Drexler was unequivocal in his opinion that the economic crisis has permanently changed how customers perceive and purchase at retail outlets:

“…we recognize that a sea-change has occurred with the consumer….”

Mr. Drexler believes consumers are demanding higher quality at reasonable prices, two attributes he says J. Crew merchandise has. Surprisingly, he mentioned price points on some specific items, unusual in light of the competitive environment:

“… our ballet flat category will start at under $100 for the first time ever…If you look at our January catalog, you’ll see a ballet flat assortment at $98. This year I think they started at $128.”

When asked about what items customers are willing to pay full price for, Tracy Gardner, J. Crew’s President, mentioned several items:

• “…there’s a beautiful ruffly blouse….”
• “… the T shirts that have all the fabulous embellishment, embroidery are blowing out.”
• “Our match stick cords continue to be phenomenal; our match stick denims… “
• “They still love our cashmere cardigans.”

Today’s story about J. Crew’s awful performance in WWD (Women’s Wear Daily, subscription required) also quoted Mr. Drexler:

“We don’t want to be the cheapest player. We want to be the longest-lasting high integrity quality player…. “

So what is J. Crew doing for you come Friday?  They are opening at 6 a.m. and all sweaters are 20% off, with Clearance items also an additional 20% off. Things are already heavily discounted online, like the Girls Riley Critter Cord in bright pink, available in all sizes as of this writing. The Crewcut Kids slacks were originally $54, now $19.99 and $30 with the price determined by the color you select.

The company is also doing their Holiday Cheer promotion through midnight Saturday night, with a 20% – 30% discount dependent upon how much you spend. (Click the graphic to go to the Crew site and see the specifics.)

J. Crew Factory Outlet stores are doing a significant promotion of their own starting Friday, most opening at midnight.

If it is difficult to read the small print up above, early risers who shop before 10am can take an additional 50% off clearance styles, nothing to sneeze at. Here is a list of all Factory Stores so you can check the hours.

Another preppy retailer (perhaps the original), Lacoste, is offering 25% off all merchandise; this includes items already on sale. The discount is good through Monday, December 1 and free standard shipping on all orders is also included through Monday. Use promo code HOLIDAY1 to receive the benefit of these offers.

Brooks Brothers is offering 15% off all merchandise online and in their stores. (See below for Factory Outlet store offers.) This promotion even applies to the Black Fleece merchandise from designer Thom Browne.

However, from today’s WWD story on retail promotions for the holiday weekend:

“Traditionally, the retailer has held tight on promotions until after Christmas.”

“… it’s not a fire sale,” said Lou Amendola, chief merchandising officer. The company is “very selectively” discounting much of the women’s apparel, which is seasonal, along with some men’s wear. Outerwear is 25 percent off. ‘We won’t promote blue or white dress shirts, for example. We have no reason to liquidate basics.’”

Additionally Brooks is offering free shipping on all orders totaling more than $200.

If shopping online at Talbots now, or in stores starting Friday, everything is 30% off and there is free standard shipping on every order. Stores open at 8am Friday and both promotions run through December 1st.

TP was in a Talbots on Monday and all Clearance merchandise was an additional 40% off; we can’t imagine this not being the case over the weekend. (As always, check with your local store – do not take our word as the ultimate answer.)

For the Polo Ralph Lauren fans in the household, the Friends and Family promotion continues, offering 30% off all merchandise through December 8. The promotion code is HOL2008, and free shipping is included in this offer.

The Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Outlet stores open at midnight tomorrow night

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Banana Republic continues their “Dressed in Holiday Style” sale online and in stores. The sale runs through Monday, December 1st.

At Banana Republic Factory Stores starting at midnight the discount is 40% off everything in the store.

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Tommy Hilfiger is offering substantial savings for Black Friday, and according to their news release, the discount is 50% off merchandise as opposed to the 40% shown in our graphic.

There are also a number of coupons for specific savings at the Factory Outlet stores, such as “Save an Additional 25% on any $200 Purchase,” but we have no idea if one must have an “official coupon,” or if it could be printed off any site.

Ann Taylor is promoting 30% off your entire purchase plus free shipping only through midnight Thursday.  The promotion code for checkout is TURKEY.

At Ann Taylor Loft stores, there are multiple promotions underway, including a $25 gift card for every $50 you spend starting online Thursday and in stores Friday.

Gobble-gobble!

Cartier & Saks Light Up, Ultimate Preppy Girl’s Christmas Sweater

Hello busy blog friends!  We’ll simply share a few ‘quick hits’ today as we are off shortly for an all-afternoon volunteer shift.

In a Pretty in Pink special we just fell onto this darling sweater at Best Dressed Child.  Are you ready for the full name of this sweater? Meet the Glorimont Girls Hot Pink Preppy Christmas Trees Cardigan.

The sweater is available in toddler sizes, and imagine this: the trees are removable so it can be worn much longer than most holiday-themed clothing! Bets of all, it is on sale for only $27, marked down from $54.

Best Dressed Child

If seeking something special for the young master of the household, how is the Glorimont Boys Green Check Longall?

Here at the Prepatorium, we are simply ga-ga over the vintage station wagon that adorns this little outfit.

If the name of the shop sounds familiar, it is one of the retailers TP suggested readers check with if hoping to buy the Biscotti Precious Jewels Christmas Dress worn by Malia Obama on election night.  (If still desirous for information on the Biscotti dress and/or the Gerson & Gerson dress worn by Sasha Obama, click here.)

Fun, fun, fun last night as Tory Burch helped Saks turn on the holiday lights for the season at their Fifth Avenue store.

PHOTO: Scott Gries/Getty

The designer along is seen with her two boys at last night’s annual Snowflake Spectacular and window unveiling, accompanied by designer Zac Posen.

Also unveiled to the public yesterday, the Cartier windows. A rotund fellow named Santa was assisted by Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos in unveiling the windows.

PHOTO: Peter Kramer/AP

All of the excitement is a good reminder for us to remind you about entering the Great Preppy Giveaway contest, with free goodies from PreppyPrincess.com! Just leave a comment on this or any post and tell us something you are grateful for…that’s it! You’re in!

Here is a sampling from a few we have already received:

Jessica at the oh-so-fun Gifting Gumshoe shares:

“I am thankful for my wonderful husband, family, friends and sweet Shar-Pei, Gilligan!”

From Amanda:

“I am thankful that my 87 year old grandmother is still alive and kicking and that I get to see her in January.”

And the irrepressible McMommy wrote:

“I’m not gonna lie to you, Princess….. I am thankful for my vino every evening.

I love, love, love this giveaway!!!!!!! You have no idea how much I’ve been craving a new apron!! I’m hoping and praying I win!”

We have learned what Brooks Brothers is planning for Black Friday: 15% off all purchases, and we are told this even includes Black Fleece items from TP’s favorite designer, Thom Browne.

If seeking substantial markdowns, we recommend heading over to the Brooks’ website to look at the Black Fleece merchandise currently on sale, as there is quite a bit. For example, the Women’s Cashmere Morning Coat that was $2900 is now $840, and the Men’s Cashmere/Cotton Canvas Reversible Coat is discounted by almost 75%, now $1050 from the original selling price of $3500.

We’ll be back tomorrow with more on J. Crew’s situation and the rest of the Black Friday information.  (We are receiving so many inquiries about J. Crew or Banana Republic Black Friday info that is currently posted, just click here if you need it.)

Until later!