I like Rachel Zoe as a stylist. In fact, I remember watching her reality show on Bravo. However, I haven’t worn her clothes or followed her brand too closely. So I wasn’t sure what to expect from the sample sale at 260 Sample Sale in Soho. I figured this would be a good time to see what the brand has to offer and get a sense for the price points. So I went and it was fine.

The brand vibe is described as offering trendsetting bohemian looks and “effortless glamour and modern tailored silhouettes.” I read that as a cross between relaxed LA and chic NY. That mix makes sense because Rachel is from NY but spends a lot of time in LA (from what I remember from her show).

I also see that reflected in the clothes. Some were chic and others were a bit corny looking, at least based on how they looked on the rack. Sometimes clothes don’t hang well but can be brought to life if worn by the right person and with solid styling. What would help is if the clothes were better merchandised at these sales because that would give customers a better sense of how they look, drape, fall, fit.

Anyway, I didn’t care much for the gowns, dresses, jumpsuits, or tops. The silhouettes, fabrics, and patterns were basic and not stand out enough for the price points.

The shoes were also average looking. There were mainly pumps and heeled sandals that looked like every other pump or heel you’d see in a store like Macy’s. I always look for unique design elements that show the brand and designer’s attention to detail. None of the shoes had that.

Otherwise, there was a pair of pants and a maxi skirt I really liked. A huge selling point is that they were long which is gold for a 5’9″ person like myself. Also, the materials felt like solid quality. So I got those. I’m bummed because I picked up the chambray top (pictured below) and considered purchasing it, not realizing it was the match to the skirt I was already planning to get. This set is adorable!! Oh well :(. Do you see how long this skirt is though?! Yaas!

The pieces I liked the most were her silver, gold, and fringe items (3/4 length jackets and tank tops) which looked and felt luxe. Have you been to a Rachel Zoe sample sale before? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments!