Look for Less: Simone Rocha Neon Floral Dress

Image via InStyle

My friend Kate has been eying Simone Rocha's floral embroidered dress.  The shape of the dress and floral pattern are adorably sweet and the neon makes it a standout piece, but the $1,500 price tag is quite steep for the everyday woman.  So I browsed the web to help her find a few more affordable alternatives and here's what I found:

Cynthia Steffe, $248

The closet match was this "sharp lime" dress from Cynthia Steffe.  Like the Simone Rocha dress, it's a classic shape in a neon hue with a lace overlay.

Cynthia Steffe, $248

While this dress isn't neon yellow, it's still in the neon family.  A couple of the reviews mentioned that the dress is brighter in real life than pictured.  And I like this dress because the skirt has a bit more swing!

Nasty Gal, $68

This "neon coral" option from Nasty Gal is especially affordable and a similar silhouette to the dream dress.

LOFT, $59 (with discount code ENJOY40)

And lastly, stepping away from the neon family, this dress from LOFT made it into the running because it's also delivers a pop of color.  In fact, the eyelet is lined with a contrasting color!

Sample Sale Report: Cynthia Steffe

Season after season the Cynthia Steffe sample sale is one that I make sure that I never miss.  I was curious what the new space would bring and it's quite cavernous and divided into 2 sides. One side was bustling so I headed that way first while the other side was quiet.  I learned soon that the left side was the Cynthia Steffe merchandise while the other side was random merchandise from Chaus, Vince Camuto and other labels.  The great news is that there is room to breath and move around without bumping elbows with too many ladies although you may find that at times ladies have filled an entire rack with their merchandise that they are guarding with a watchful eye.

With the Cynthia Steffe sale there are the usual factors -  there are lots of ladies ready to pounce, you have to dig and there are no change rooms but the quality of merchandise that you can get for the price is almost unparalleled.  Dresses, tops, rompers, sweaters and all bottoms are now just $25! Winter coats and leathers are $50.  The catch this time around?  There are absolutely no mirrors! Not one shiny reflective surface to catch a gaze upon but fortunately fellow shoppers were pretty friendly and helped me determine if things worked or didn't work.  Some lovely ladies even offered me their discarded samples that didn't end up working for them.  Another lovely lady graciously took my picture when I was determining if the alterations required on a dress would be worth it.  Your best strategy would to bring a friend to be your mirror.  Also be warned that there are male staffers working the floor of the sale so wear your sample sale uniform (leggings & a tank top) for some modesty.

Sizes vary from a 0 to about an 8/10.  My guess is that most of the unmarked samples are between a 0 and a 6.  I didn't look carefully at the shoes but they seemed to be mostly in the realm of size 7-10.  There are a few stock pieces in the mix but plenty of samples you have to watch out for because they still have pins stuck in them or might have fit lines marked across them in pen.  I also noticed some with holes.

I ended up snagging a winter jacket, nylon striped jacket (not Cynthia Steffe), floaty skirt and a pair of pants for my mom all for $110.  I almost grabbed an adorable leather shift dress but since I'm still looking for a job to pay the bills, I decided to pass.

Who: Cynthia Steffe Sample Sale
What: This is one of Erin's personal favorite sales but not for the faint of heart. Be prepared dig through the racks and share mirrors with strangers.
When: May 22-23, 2012. Tues-Wed 9am-5pm
Where: 323 West 39th St, Street Level

Sample Sales NYC: May 21-27, 2012

Who: Aloha Rag Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% off Rick Owens, ALC, Balmain, Thomas Wylde, Guiseppe Zanotti, Carven, The Row, Margiela and Adam Kimmel
When: Now through May 25, 2012. 12pm-6pm
Where: 545 Greenwich St - Suite 2A (b/n Charlton & Vandam)

Who: Joseph Abboud Sample Sale
What: Discounts on menswear
When: May 21-24, 2012. Mon-Wed 9am-7pm, Thurs 9am-5pm
Where: 317 W 33rd St (near 8th Ave)

Who: LaTique Sample Sale
What: Leather & vinyl totes, hobos, satchels and wallets.  CASH ONLY
When: May 22-23, 2012. 10am-3pm
Where: 10 W 33rd St - Suite 210 (b/n 5th & 6th Ave)

Who: Cynthia Steffe Sample Sale
What:  This is one of Erin's personal favorite sales but not for the faint of heart.  Be prepared dig through the racks and share mirrors with strangers.
When: May 22-23, 2012. Tues-Wed 9am-5pm
Where: 323 West 39th St, Street Level

Who: Rogan & Loomstate Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% off.  Sweaters are $15-$30, dresses $20-$40, jackets $30-$50 and tees start at $10.
When: May 22-24, 2012. Tues-Wed 12pm-8pm, Thurs 12pm-6pm
Where: 330 Bowery (at Bond and Bowery)

Who: Lela Rose Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% off womenswear and accessories
When: May 23-24, 2012. Wed 8am-7pm, Thurs 9am-6pm
Where: 224 W 30th St - 14th floor (b/n 7th & 8th Ave)

Who: Tracy Reese and Plenty by Tracy Reese Sample Sale
What: Discounts on stock and spring merch.  Samples are priced between $35-$50.
When: May 23-25, 2012. Wed- Fri 9am-7pm
Where: 264 W 40th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave).

Who: WANT Agency Sample Sale
What: Discounts on labels including Maison Kitsune, Nudie Jeans, WANT Les Essentiels De La Vie, Arc'Teryx Veilance and Swims. CASH ONLY
When: May 24-25, 2012. Thurs-Fri 11am-8pm
Where: 127 Grand Street (b/n Broadway and Canal).

Who: Helmut Lang Women's Sample Sale
What: Up to 65% off Retail
When: May 31-June 3, 2012. Thurs-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm
Where: Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave (b/n 15th & 16th St)

Who: Sachin + Babi Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% off select styles and one of a kind samples
When: May 22-27, 2012. Tues-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm
Where: 260 5th Ave (near 28th St). 646-725-5400

Who: AvaMaria Spring Sample Sale
What: Up to 95% off womenswear.  All items are $50 and include Christian Louboutin Brown Lattice Leather Slingbacks, Marc by Marc Jacobs Violet Patent Leather Peep Toe Sandals with Titanium Heel, Paul & Joe Sister Blush Polka Dot Strapless Silk Dress, Stella Forest Leather Jacket and more.
When: May 27-28, 2012. Sun 12pm-6pm, Mon 11am-7pm
Where: 107 Crosby St (b/n Houston and Prince)