Barneys CO-OP

I went back to Barneys CO-OP on Saturday morning and saw it in its non-Warehouse Sale state. And though the prices were far higher, the shopping experience was much more manageable on this go 'round.

I spent most of my time exploring the lotions and potions up near the front with Rudy (who, by the way, is just lovely and sent me home with plenty of Kiehl's samples). They've got an excellent selection of MALIN+GOETZ, my current favorite line of skincare products.

It is both a blessing and a curse to have this place so near. . .

I don't know why I don't tell people NO to coming to the Warehouse sale - who am I kidding here?

I am just playing myself - I can't shop in these sort of conditions.

I must shop in well-organized and well-merchandise stores - this is beyond crazy.

I couldn't find crap here, not even shoes!

Shoes are at least less crazy, but the shoes here were crap!
They seriously look like they have been worn and beat up.

Their sales has come down throughout the years - TOTALLY NOT WORTH IT!

Just come here when it's NON WAREHOUSE DAYS!

I treated myself to some nice NYC souvenirs from here at the warehouse portion. Their names are Lanvin and Yohji (ouch for my wallet). Lanvin shoes were still in their blue box with the satin ribbon - I think most of the Lanvin come with dust bags and the box. They had a lot of shoes, but I think most of them were already sorted through since we came on the second to last day.

Everything was 60% off and any damaged goods were 75%. Tip: Haggle with the guy in charge of the discounts on damaged goods. The discount guy was only going to give me 10% more for an imperfection in the leather but he pointed out there was no belt so instead I got 75%! I didn't even notice because if there was a belt since I wouldn't wear it anyway (I think these are one of the jackets where the belt loops is for the look, not an actual belt).

The workers here are nice but I had to come back the next day since they didn't take off the security tag off my jacket! However, they were really sweet about it the next day - the lady recognized me and said, "Hey you were the one trying on the jacket over there from yesterday" and she vented for me how stupid the cashiers were not to tag off and called them idiots. Great and memorable experience and I didn't have to vent for myself!

Because of prior experience at the Barney's Co-op in DC, with its insufferably arrogant salespeople and uninspired clothing, I actively tried to resist going into the Chelsea branch--but the sale signs sent out tractor beams, and I felt myself inexorably drawn in like a scifi nerd to a Trekkie convention.

What a surprise! I guess the DC location doesn't carry any of the more interesting, more exciting brands like Rag & Bone, Trovata and Vena Cava--it was nice to see edgier clothes with a little more character and creativity than the usual embellished sheath dress 3.1 phillip lim-Diane von Furstenburg circuit. Die.

Their post-holiday sale was fantastic (yay recession!), with markdowns of more than 70%, and their employees were actually friendly and helpful--imagine that! HELPFUL SALESPEOPLE! One of them even hung onto the phone for over ten minutes to find out if Barneys New York had a scoop-neck pleated Madison Marcus dress in my size.

I'm so glad I don't live around here. I wouldn't be able to afford it. Self-control? What's that?

Definitely my favorite Barneys location of them all. I guess because of the fact that its conveniently located. Its wonderful. Has a great mens section. Typically I only go there because I want all of the Band of Outsiders stuff. Occasionally I will see something else, but most of the time its that.

When they have their sale, I'm all over that shit. Its the only time I can safely blow oodles of money on multiple items from McQueen and Raf without crying afterwards.

Haha, I caught Russ' review of Barney's Co-Op and I thought it was great because we both love this place for totally different designers but the same reasons. First, I work with Daniel too, he's great and was a rising star over at uptown ralph lauren - awesome design eye, I'll let Russ speak to the rest of him.

I like that Barney's co-op consistently buys the best of most collections (with the exception of a.p.c., seriously, the buyers pick the exact stuff that is left over at an apc surplus sale) but for steven allan, p.s, comme, jacobs, et al - it's all very cool gear and let's face it, if you're like me and don't have a lot of time during the week/day to go store- to-store (btw I'm writing this review at 2am) then Barney's co-op is the quick fix for a rapidly approaching friday night date.

Which is the other reason I like this place - really cool spot for ideas and small gifts - like red flower (candles) or king baby (jewelry). My girl, who is reading this over my shoulder, says this Barney's is great because it has "a plethora of girls denim" - so there you go, a well managed co-op makes everybody happy (now if only that applied to my building).

I love that you can buy Kiehl's and Diptyque Candles without leaving Chelsea. That's how life SHOULD BE.

Don't mess with products don't give you results here are the essentials on what to buy:

Kiehl's Baby Lip Balm, (Also have new products for men)
Kiehl's Line Reducing Eye Cream (packed with Vitamin C)
Kiehl's Photo Age Corrector Deep - Action Exfoliating Cleanser
Anything from Diptyque, Paris. Amazing gifts...

The layout, decor, and lighting don't really make you want to stay in here for more than 8 minutes. Something about this space is just really...terrible (I couldn't find a more elegant word for "terrible").

With the space so less than inspiring, I'm actually less inclined to buy anything here.

I really like how the sales people totally leave you alone unless you ask for their help. They don't coddle you or make you feel odd for ogling clothes that's probably out of your budget. DEFINITE PLUS.....

The women's shoe selection is awful. The bag selection? Even worse.

This Barney's is not my favorite. I much prefer the Barney's Co-op (women's only) in SoHo or the full-scale Barney's uptown. I feel like this one is randomly thrown together. The clothes are all sorted by designer but there are racks in front, in back, and all around you. There's a lot of moving in circles here and it's easy to miss something or not find what you are looking for.

The salespeople here are mostly annoying and pretentious and I try to avoid asking for help when I can.

This place is much more exciting as the home of the Barney's Warehouse Sale where it's clear that it's going to be a mess and a half inside, but you're bound to find some good deals

Thank you, thank you, thank you Barneys CO-OP for helping this chemist keep her fashion forward.

Honestly, I really don't have the time to browse through Vogue between my demanding job, my pursuit of food and drink and my yelping ;)

One trip to Barneys CO-OP and I've got the right pair of jeans, the right dress and the right top. For all those other items I just could not afford, at least I've got a clue now!