Hilarystyle is about travel, fashion and fun, but I admit it’s been awhile since I’ve written about fashion. Truth be told it’s hard to think about a change in wardrobe when here in LA it hardly seems like we ever have a change in seasons. Not that I’m complaining about what feels like perpetual summer.
Late October in Los Angeles feels just like summer!
Recently I had a chance to visit the sample sales in LA’s fashion District and I’m hoping I’ll have a chance to get some use out of the more wintery items I picked up during my upcoming visit to England.
Table of Contents
What is a Sample Sale?
Sample sales are a way for fashion brands to unload excess merchandise and make room for the upcomning season. You’ll find current season items including accessories and apparel all for very reduced prices. During my recent visit I picked up items for everyone in my family.
Some showrooms feature multiple fashion brands
Where can I find a Sample Sale?
Designer showrooms are located at 9th and Los Angeles Street in Downtown LA’s Fashion District.
Ted Baker has a showroom in the Cooper Design Space Building
The Fashion District is home to over 1,200 showrooms, which represent over 4,500 fashion lines. WOW, that’s a lot of shopping!
You’ll find a large majority of those 1,200 showrooms inside The Cooper Design Space building right in the heart of the Fashion District.
When Can I shop?
Sample sales are usually held on the last Friday of the month.
Not every showroom hosts a sale every last Friday, but many do, and its fun to go from floor to floor poking in and out of the different showrooms. Look for the boards in the lobby listing which showrooms are having a sale, and where they’re located.
What if I’m not there on the Last Friday?
Many brands will hold additional sample or warehouse sales throughout the year, so make sure to add your name to their showroom email list, and you’ll be notified of when and where.
How Do I Pay?
Not all of the showrooms accept credit, so make sure to bring plenty of cash.
Can I try stuff on?
For the most part Showrooms aren’t set up with dressing rooms, but many allow you to try items on over what you’re already wearing, or if you want you can find a spot off to the side and do a quick change… I wore a dress when I visited, which made trying on a little easier.
My shopping haul:
27miles Malibu
Rebel Heart Cashmere Sweater
Retail Price: $275
Sample sale Price: $100
Rhinestone Skull Cashmere Sweater
Retail Price: $275
Sample sale Price: $100
Nation
Echo Park Hoody Sweatshirt
Retail Price: $147
Sample sale Price: $30
Aviator Nation
Long Sleeve Thermal Shirt
Retail Price: $79
Sample sale Price: $20
Short Sleeve T-shirt
Retail Price: $79
Sample sale Price: $20
Duck and Weave Co.
Button Down
Retail Price: $185
Sample sale Price: $20
This shirt goes perfectly with my wellies!
Stance
Kids Socks
Retail Price: $10 – $18
Sample sale Price: $5 ea
Kids Underwear
Retail Price: $18
Sample sale Price: $5 ea
AG Jeans
Men’s jeans
Retail Price: $245
Sample sale Price: $120
I’m hungry after all that shopping Is there food nearby?
Downtown Los Angeles is one of my favorite places to explore. There are endless options for fun and food! Here’s a list of some of our favorite spots:
Birdies, is well known in LA for their donuts and their fried chicken, so consider trying both! The donuts are baked fresh every two hours. Since you saved all that money at the sample sale you might consider trying the gold donut… it’s only $100!
Gold leaf donut a mere $100
Bottega Louie, is known for it’s colorful and photogenic macarons, but it isn’t just about the sweets and treats, it’s also a full service restaurant with a full bar and a gourmet market.
Kazu Nori is small and it’s popular, so get there early, or be prepared to wait. The menu consists of one thing: hand rolls. They’re made to order and to delicious perfection.
The Grand Central Market is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and no matter their food tastes you’ll find something for everyone in your group. From Thai sticky rice to cheesecake, whisky and cheese, a Jewish deli, vegan choices, coffee, Chinese food, green grocers and so much more. There’s even a PB&J shop!
Salt and Straw’s ice cream is delicious, but don’t take my word for it, the ever present line should speak for itself. One reason the line is so long… you can sample as many flavors as you want!
Salted Malted Cookie Dough
Pie Hole offers up a variety of fun pie flavors both savory and sweet, so no matter your tastes you’ll be guaranteed a unique and tasty treat! I wish I could show you a photo of the pie, but it never lasts long enough to take a photo!
Wurst Kuche’s exotic sausages and delicious fries are a savory and popular treat. There is a constant line out the door, but don’t be fooled you’ll find a large amount of communal seating in the back.
Little Damage is a family owned soft serve ice cream shop in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. With trendy black cones and unique flavor choices, Little Damage, is not your average ice cream… its ice cream with a Goth twist!
I’m all shopped out. What else can I do in the Neighborhood?
Check you these related posts for even more downtown inspiration:
Graffiti Walking Tour in the DTLA Arts District
50 Things to do in Los Angeles
5 Places to Get Your Groove on in LA
11 Places To Get Your Culture Fix In Los Angeles
Pin for later:
MummyTravels
Wow those are some amazing bargains – I always associate sample sales with people fighting over the last size but this sounds a lot more civilised. And a gold donut sounds the perfect finishing touch! Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Hilary
Yes! It’s definitely a place worth visiting if you find yourself in town on the last Friday… it was all very civilized, though the elevators were quite crowded. 😉
beatravelling
This I’d love to do! Great choice to put a dress on, to more easily slip in and out of things.
Hilary
Yes! It’s such a fun shopping experience I’m definitely going again!
Tanja
interesting concept, love the socks:) #farawayfiles
Hilary
Yes! A fun way to get trendy items at great prices. I’m hoping my son will love them too!
Tanja
I’m sure he will:)
Allison
Wow! You found some great bargains. I am not a shopper and fashion is definitely not my forte but even I wouldn’t be able to resist those sales. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Exactly! They were pretty great and it’s in such a fun and vibrant area of the city too!
Esther
Teehee! I hardly ever go shopping when travelling (okay…. not true, I buy yarn, can’t help myself!). But I went through your post…. and went HUNGRY! I want to have that hotdog, and maybe that godl doughnut as dessert, haha!
#FarawayFiles
Hilary
Depending on the amount of time I’m traveling I try to find time to shop a little. It’s fun to see what other cities have to offer… once we went to the Prada Outlet in Florence! Those were some bargains!
Wherejogoes
Bargain shopping in LA followed by a gold doughnut – wow! This is a fabulous day out I can see this would be so much fun – love the socks! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
It was a very fun day though I must admit the gold donut was a bit too steep for my wallet, but the other donuts are yummy too!
Purple John - Shelley Jarvis
oooh – tucking this post away for my trip home next summer! Thanks for the tips!
Hilary
Yes, if you’re here you’ll definitely want to check it out!! It’s a fun experience!
Jacki L
Wow, you really good some good deals! I am more excited about all of the eating options after the shopping is complete! 🙂
Hilary
Yes, shopping and then eating! A perfect way to spend an afternoon!
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
Never visited a sample sale, I wonder if they have them down my way! :s #FarawayFiles
Hilary
I’m not sure where your way is, but it’s always possible! The fun thing about these is that they’re every month! A perfect excuse to get to dtla!
Clare Thomson
I just love those cashmere jumpers! Warm and stylish. It’s a great idea to show us both the retail price and the sales price so we can see what a bargain these are. Whenever I’ve visited the States, the shopping trips have always been a real highlight. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Yes, they were a definite bargain! I’d always loved those jumpers but wasn’t willing to invest quite so much… especially when it’s so warm here. You’d be getting an even bigger bargain with the exchange rate coming this direction! Probably why I don’t shop much in London… 😉
joylovestravel
Love the sound of this – picking up designer bargains is right up my street!
Hilary
Yes! So fun and worthwhile!
Janet T
Those discounts are huge! I’m impressed you managed to pick up so much stuff. #Farawayfiles
Leona
I love a Bargain I would love to visit
Hilary
If you enjoy shopping then this is the place!
missyjennyelliott
What a fascinating insight into a world which I know very little about! You snagged some great bargains, but I must admit it was your food recommendations that got me drooling. So many good choices! #farawayfiles
Hilary
Shopping and eating two of my favorite pastimes! So glad you found something you enjoyed!
katy@untoldmorsels
Soooo fun yet dangerous for someone like me. I once blew a month’s salary in an hour at the outlet malls in Orlando – oopsie! In my defence I still wear and use most of those pieces daily so they’re a good ‘investment’. Love to grab some bargains in LA. Thanks for the tips!
Hilary
Yes, I find it easier to justify an expensive purchase if I know I’ll be getting a ton of use out of it… still getting it in a fun neighrborhood for a bargain price is pretty great too!
Ruth
Well, you got some really good prices! I am seeing these sales are better than going to the outlet malls (I do not find good stuff by the way). Anyway, they are a good excuse to go to Downtown LA. I know you are going to London soon. I am going next year! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Any excuse to go downtown!
Hilary
Oh! These are definitely better than outlets!
fifi + hop
Shop til you drop! Looks like you found some amazing deals, and for the whole family. I really need to take more advantage of that in NYC. #farawayfiles
Hilary
Yes!! I bet you can get some great stuff in NY too!!
Nicky @ GoLiveYoung
Love a bargain and these look like very civilised sales…not mounds of stuff all piled together #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Yes, for the most part civilized, though I was there early in the day. 😘
oregongirlaroundtheworld
I’m always a bit intimidated by sample sales to be honest, but seeing the bargains you can score – I’m up for trying! Thanks for sharing an insider look at LA – cheers from Copenhagen! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
It was definitely worthwhile and believe it or not it wasn’t too crazy!
Annabel Kirk
One of my girlfriends moved from the UK to LA last year and she’s quite into her fashion. I think I’ll have to send her this post! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Oh, definitely tell her about this… not only are the sales great, but the downtown is such a great place to explore!
Elizabeth (Wander Mum)
They look like very civilised sample sales! Well done on your haul. You can’t beat a good lunch while shopping. I’ve never seen a golden bagel…wonder what it tastes like! #farawayfiles
Hilary
It’s true about lunch, although I’ve been know to skip it completely if I’m on a roll! The golden donut seems very decadent, but I do worry about eating metal, so even if I wanted to drop $100 I think I’d hold off… fun to see tho!!
BattleMum
Wow, you got some amazing bargains there. I vaguely remember hearing the term “sample sale” but didn’t realise they were a regular thing. And so many good places to eat. We visited Salt’N’Straw in Portland and the ice cream was amazing! #farawayfiles
Hilary
We’re lucky to have the biggest Fashion District in the country right here in LA, so we get lots of sales! Yes, we LOVE Salt n’ Straw, but the lines are always so long!
vdaltonbanks
Wow, some great deals there!! I need to hunt out some sample sales here in London! #farawayfiles
Hilary
Oh! What a good idea… I’m going to look into that myself!
Juliette S
Sample sales are awesome! But also highly dangerous ha ha! Best not to blow the entire travel budget first up…#farawayfiles
Hilary
True and true!
Tracy
Not a shopper but the food would certainly be on my to eat list!! Loved LA about time we visited again!
Hilary
Yes, there are definitely some tasty treats here in LA!
Cultural Wednesday
I love a sample sale, I’m not aware that anything as regular as last Friday sales occur here in London. Hey ho will just have to visit LA! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
You definitely should!!
fashionfixoxo
I love this post!! The sample sales are so much fun to do down here 🙂
Hilary
Thank you!
Y Erdosy
Wow! I live 5 blocks away but never knew about these sample sales! I feel like this is going to change my life lol! Thanks Hilary<3
Hilary
You’re welcome!!