Half-Off Shopping Frenzy

It's nearing the end of the season, so now's the time to score those last few just-out-of-my-price-range pieces.

There are some things I can't justify paying full price for. I see them. I want them. But when the time comes to fork over the cash, the angels of my better nature chime in and I put my wallet away. It's about now in the season, however, that I revisit those bypassed purchases I can't stop thinking about to see if maybe they're on sale (and still miraculously available in my size).

I've had my eye on this Vanessa Bruno dress since I first spotted it on a friend of mine just back from Paris. The French designer's clothes are always simple and beautiful, but by the time they hit racks in the States the markup is pretty astronomical -- $500 for a tiered jersey dress. Mon Dieu! But at 50 percent off, I'm totally in; I know I'll wear this for ages.

I have a hunch that come fall, silk bed jackets are going to be all the rage. I've seen them in the collections of countless designers, but true to form, Phillip Lim was the first to revisit this piece. So when I found his pretty green version on sale, I immediately snapped it up.

I think I'm probably the last girl in Manhattan to jump on the gladiator sandal bandwagon. I'm not going to lie: They scared me. Every pair I tried on made my legs seem shorter and my feet longer. But these have a low-hitting ankle strap that's quite flattering, and a pale shade that I really, really love.

Stella McCartney's splatter-paint floral print this spring was pretty stunning. It appeared in various forms on her clothes and accessories, but my favorites were these clog-like heels. The effect is subtle but gorgeous, with the pale wood balancing out the wild pattern. And, of course, they're as sexy as shoes can be.



Of course I realize when my mom taught me that patience pays, she wasn't really referring to shopping. But it can pay to wait -- and not just because it's easier on your wallet. Sometimes, I've found, delayed gratification makes me just love the item that much more.

Heather Summerville is the senior editor at