Sample! Sale! Greatness! July 27, 2007

Okay, 'tis the month of summer sales and almost every store in town is jumping on the bandwagon. If you're looking for some sweet deals on dresses, tees, skirts and shorts, sandals and more - now is the time to break out your wallet and get shopping!

My mom is coming to visit me for the weekend, and what's the first thing we're doing? Pounding the pavement, hitting the streets in search of that perfect little summer dress, or another pair of shoes to add to my collection. My mom's a fashionista too, and when she's in town we always make time for a little mother-daughter retail bonding time.

If you're looking for the best places to shop this weekend, read on for all the details! I promise, you won't be disappointed.

First up, the SKOUT sample sale at #203-70 East 2nd Ave, featuring clothing by Spoon, Muchacha, Smashing Grandpa, Illustrated People, and Ideal Apparel; along with undies by Honeydew Intimates and shoes by Irregular Choice and Gaspard.

If you're gonna hit up one sale this weekend, this one can't be missed! All sizes of clothes and shoes are available, for both men and women. I'm going for the frilly undies by Honeydew and the shoes by Irregular Choice, a funky footwear label out of the UK that never fails to impress (or at least, to make you take a second look). It's open today (hurry hurry) and tomorrow from 12-5pm.

Hum Clothing started their Summer sale earlier this week - head up to Main and 20th to get 20-50% off all spring and summer styles, including clothing and accessories by Canadian designers Majolie, Nanna, Passenger Pigeon and Valerie Dumaine. If that wasn't quite enough, they've also marked down all handbags, accessories and jewelry by 20%, but only until Sunday July 29th.

The Block's summer sale is still on, with most spring/summer merchandise on sale from 30-50% off! I couldn't get many details out of the salesperson, the prices really vary depending on the brand and how many sizes they have left in that particular item. But I heartily recommend that you go down to Gastown and check it out for yourself!

It's not technically a sample sale, but Portobello West Market is happening once again this weekend. I scored a bunch of cool stuff last month, and I'm totally stoked to see what I'll find this time around. From vintage (reworked and otherwise) to handmade paper crafts and soaps, to local designers' clothing and accessories, Portobello West has something for everyone. Held at the Rocky Mountaineer Station from 12-7pm on the last Sunday of every month. If you're heading there by transit and don't fancy a long walk in your oh-so-fashionable platform heels, you can take the free shuttle from Main St Skytrain Stn, running every 20 minutes.

Know of a sale that I missed? Leave me a comment with your shopping tips.

Photo by Dreamer, on flickr.