Vineyard Vines Friends & Family, More Black Friday: J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, Banana Republic

Hello-Hello… we do hope everyone enjoyed a simply splendid weekend!

TP is a little crazed and dazed; here at the Prepatorium the holiday frenzy seems to have commenced earlier than usual!

Let’s start by updating current and expected markdowns, sales & other discounts at retailers specializing in merchandise that tends toward a preppy aesthetic.

We’ll start with the Vineyard Vines, “Friends & Family shopping event” that provides “25% off Your Purchase,” now through midnight tomorrow night (Tuesday, 11.25.08).  The promo code online or by phone is FRIENDS2008.  If shopping in person, take along a copy of this email notice:

There is a really cute Toddler Puffer Vest:

Next, Banana Republic is already doing their “Dressed in Holiday Style” sale online and in stores. The sale runs through Monday, December 1st; we consider this the retailer’s Black Friday sale.

And BR does have a little Wool-blend peacoat the Princess is rather fond of:

The coat comes in a variety of colors and is now $118; originally it sold at $198.

Black Friday at the Banana Republic Factory Stores offers a substantial opportunity for those with the patience and sanity to cope with the crowds: 40% off everything in the store.  Many of the factory stores open at midnight; check your local store to confirm shopping opportunities.

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We do have a new J. Crew discount offer.

Now through 11.29.08

Spend $150 and take 20% off, spend $200 and take 25% off, spend $250 and save 30% off. The promo code on this one is TURKEY. BTW, if you missed our original J. Crew Black Friday post, just click here.

Also, don’t forget, the “take an additional 20% off sale prices” deal ends tonight. TP is guessing that somehow, someway, we’ll see this back *before* the end of next weekend or another incarnation of the offer. Definitely something on Cyber Monday.

If shopping online, the promo code is EXTRA 20.

Neiman Marcus is offering what are truly amazing markdowns for that establishment, certainly  this early in the season.

For example, the  Cole-Haan Air Genie ballerinas are now only $80 from an original price of $175.  Delman’s Quilted Suede Ballerina flats are $117, from $315.

Don’t overlook the markdowns on your favorite brands in apparel and accessories. Below left, from Lacoste we show the Trucker hat, originally $57, now $35. (This is the Lacoste hat Michael Phelps is frequently seen sporting.) And lots of children’s items are also on sale; the Lacoste Zip Sweater that was $95 is now $57.

One of TP’s favorites, Garnet Hill, is starting their Thanksgiving Sale and Clearance now.

Temptation is difficult to resist when it comes to the winter theme Hable pillow covers by Hable, now $34 each. The Painted Wood picture frames are also swell and almost 50% off their original price of $36, now $19.

Arguably today’s “most bang for your buck” item is the cashmere offered at Garnet Hill. Women’s Cashmere V-neck Pullovers are $64, down from $128, as are the Crewneck Cashmere Sweaters.

TP can assure readers that unless something has gone horribly awry, these are excellent additions to one’s walk-in, of good quality and ever-so-snuggly.

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If you like the apron with bright pink circles and/or the Preppy Stripe note cards and would love to have both absolutely free, be sure and leave a comment to this post telling us one thing you are thankful for. Anything at all. Someone’s name even – that’s it! And you’re entered in the Great Preppy Giveaway!

Yesterday we mentioned we would showcase a few items of note in the Vickie’s Secret fashion show.  Should this be declared preppy lingerie?

PHOTO: Alexander Tamargo/Getty

Perhaps our wonderful Nautical by Nature can advise us on the next look… Miss Kate, does it  qualify as officially nautical in your educated estimation?

PHOTO: Jeffrey M. Boan/AP

BTW, the models look absolutely stunning. The show airs on CBS December 3 at 10 o’clock.

We’ll be back!

Is J. Crew Discounting Too Much? And the Free Preppy Goodies – Enter Now!

Courtesy J. Crew

Most readers have seen this email alert from J. Crew.  As many are no doubt aware, it is just one of many promotional efforts from the retailer that have hit our electronic in-bins recently.  And the company is not alone in its aggressive promotional moves; we are hard-pressed to come up with any retailers not currently promoting some sort of discount or sale to customers.  (If anyone is not aware of the discount shown in the photo above, it offers 20% off full-price sweaters and ends Thursday night at midnight; the promo code needed at checkout is SWEATERS.)

However, elsewhere on the J. Crew site one finds this:

Courtesy J. Crew

… and this sale is not a discount or promotional price that ends tomorrow at midnight, as with the sweaters. This is an ongoing sale offering very deep discounts, especially for a retailer of Crew’s caliber, with items like the Men’s Patchwork tartan vest that originally sold at $228 now offered at $59.99.  The Princess is no mathologist, but it seems to us that is almost 75% off the original price.

And the site is full of merchandise on Sale, not all at this level of markdown, but a hefty amount nonetheless.  Why are deep discounts, other than the obvious appeal they hold for most of us, an issue? Because they make investors in the company’s stock nervous.  From Thomson Financial News:

“Shares of the preppy clothing company run by Wall Street darling and former Gap Inc CEO Mickey Drexler fell 14 percent to their life-time low of $11.90 in morning trade.”

The article cites a memo written by a stock analyst:

“…’The worst is yet to come for J. Crew, which has continued to reel under a weak economy’ …analyst Eric Beder wrote in a note to clients…”

“…surveys and store tours have shown J. Crew is becoming “more and more aggressive,” to clear out inventory….

While TP is always excited to see merchandise offered at more fiscally friendly price points, Crew cannot be making much profit on this Cashmere Sequin Shell being sold for $49.99, roughly 70% less than its original price of $158.

The story also quotes the analyst:

“We do not believe the J. Crew business model works at the current levels and depth of price cuts,” he wrote.”

J. Crew Group’s stock closed at a new all-time low this afternoon, $11.64 per share. Ouch. We wish we were a bigger and better person Ladies, but let’s face it: their pain is your gain.

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A quick reminder on the Great Preppy Giveaway: enter to win this Scout Zip ‘n Tuck Market Tote by leaving a comment before midnight tonight telling us one thing about America you are grateful for.

PreppyPrincess.com

…just anything at all about the United States that you are thankful for, and you are entered to win the tote! And if you mention the giveaway on your blog, then you will automatically be able to send the Preppy Princess Madras Photocards to anyone you choose! And we pay the shipping on everything!

PreppyPrincess.com

Tomorrow we will reveal the lucky winner(s)! And don’t forget we’ll be starting a new Thankful Thursday Giveaway tomorrow too, so pop in and say “Hi” when you have a spare nanosecond. We’re always glad to see you!