You can’t possibly be thinking of dancing through the big night in those sensible black leather pumps you’ve been dusting off and trotting out for every party in recent memory. If there’s ever been a good time to spend a few dollars on a pretty pair of frivolous slippers, it’s now. Department stores have pulled out the stops for New Year’s Eve and are offering lots of sexy, colorful shoes at prices that won’t make you feel pain for not wearing them again.
For $50 to $70 at Macy’s, you can pick up just about anything in the special “Celebrate 2000” shoe section. Try on Caparros’s sequined lilac-satin mules ($59, pictured) or Nina’s metallic mesh sandals with racy straps around the ankle in silver or gold ($69, pictured).
Lord & Taylor’s best sparkly evening shoes are made in Spain and sold under the store’s own label for around $30 a pair. Try the strappy, sequined pewter-gray high-heel sandals ($35) or a shimmery slide with a manageably low heel ($30, pictured).
On the second floor at Bloomingdale’s, you’ll also find a smattering of more youthful styles, like Chinese Laundry’s red open-toe sandals with mirrored trim ($52, pictured) or Unisa Fiesta’s sleek, asymmetric slingback in gold or silver ($64, pictured).
Macy’s Herald Square (212-695-4400); Lord & Taylor, Fifth Ave. at 38th St. (212-391-3241); Bloomingdale’s, Lexington Ave. at 59th St. (212-705-2000).
Picks of the Week
Henri Bendel is offering significant discounts on current stock to jump-start the holiday shopping season. Take 30 percent off all sweaters, coats, holiday decorations, hair accessories, and millennium dresses. Selected fall designer collections are now up to half off, and shearling coats are all $500 off. The day after Thanksgiving, the store is also serving free coffee to get you pepped up. A portion of the day’s take goes to God’s Love We Deliver. 712 Fifth Avenue, at 56th St. (212-247-1100); A.E., M.C., V.; Fri. 9-9, Sat. 9-8, Sun. 11-7, Mon. 10-8:30; 11/26-11/29.
IZ Design’s sample sale is crammed with great gifts and stocking-stuffers, all of which are now 40 to 60 percent off. You’ll find lavender-stuffed silk pillows and sachets in lots of bright colors ($12-$18), mohair throws ($45), scented candles ($15-$60), and assorted velvet and chenille shawls ($70-$85). Gift-wrapping is free. 92 Reade St. (212-608-4223); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Sun. 10-7; 11/26-12/22.
Thompson Street on Sale means 15 to 30 percent off selected merchandise at most shops on the hip shopping strip, including INA (resale designer clothing), Shambala (Nepalese jewelry), Le Corset (fancy designer lingerie), Frenchware (imported home stuff), Ceramica (Italian ceramics and tableware), and the Hat Shop. Thompson St. from Houston St. to Broome St.; A.E., M.C., V.; hours vary; 11/22-11/28.
LeSportsac bags in all sizes and colors are 25 percent off at the boutique’s seasonal sale (the animal-print ones make
particularly good gifts). Prices are from $9 for cosmetics pouches to $72 for overnight bags. 176 Spring St. (212-625-2626); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Sun. 11-8; 11/22-12/12.
The Rug Warehouse is clearing a vast collection of handmade Oriental carpets (antique to contemporary) at 30 to 75 percent off. Prices are from $49 for a new three-by-five rug to $599 for a new six-by-nine-foot Indian style to $50,000 for a “mansion-size” antique Persian. 220 W. 80th St. (212-787-6665); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Fri. 11-7, Thurs. till 8, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-6; 11/22-12/31.