‘Tis the season of department store blowouts, especially at those ever-alluring 5th Avenue fashion landmarks.

Under the pretense of searching for a last minute father’s day gift, I arrived at Bergdorf Goodman on sunny Sunday afternoon. And yes, it was the women’s side of the street. So much for that pretense.

Riding the not-nearly-air-conditioned-enough elevator, I became nostalgic for my first such summer sale shopping experience. In one fell swoop I came out with a pair of of petal-inspired, teal Moschino sandals at 65% off and a high-waisted, yacht-ready Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt in navy with gold buttons for a $100. I’ve never received more wardrobe compliments than on these two pieces. High-end bargain hunter success!

With these designer visions dancing in my eyes, I stepped off the escalator at floor 2.  This time did not look so promising—the happy red numbers were in the 30s range instead of the 65 and the racks were filled with one too many grandma kitten heel.

And then I spotted it- a red satin, prep toe Christian Louboutin (30% off of $775) looking lonely on the sale rack of just my size. Could my life-long (well, nearly) red-soled dream actually be realized? I slipped the piece of artwork on and instantly experienced…

Allison Malecha (CC’13)

…awkward pain in my squished right pinky toe. Louboutin mission abort.

There were a handful of other noteworthy finds: an army of Balmain army-green boots (with studs to kill, 30% off $1195) and an elegantly quilted pair of black Lanvin pumps punked up with a gold ankle chain (30% off $1150).

AAllison Malecha (CC’13)

I soon realized that 30 percent off a thousand or even two thousand dollars is still a hefty fee for a pair of shoes that will only repay you in blisters. Which, for me, meant hopping back on the escalator to higher altitudes and cheaper prices. Fourth floor. The sales were greater (40% off) but the selection noticeably less aesthetically pleasing.

Yay or nay on these Marc by Marc Jacobs sneakers?

Allison Malecha (CC’13)

This pair of industrial chic Ash boots (40% off $250) seemed to be the best find:

Allison Malecha (CC’13)

Of course they too were just a half-size too small. Instead, my greatest success came free- 3 snapshots of Bergdorf’s June window scheme to print and plaster over my conspicuously stained summer form wall.

Oh, and in the end, I did fulfill my original father’s day challenge—a spendy-looking golf shirt and shorts at more than half off. Bloomie’s mens’ shop is the real bargain hunter place to be.

Allison Malecha

Reporter