SAMPLE CIRCUIT: Nicholas K, Brian Atwood, Freemans Sporting Club, Canali & More Keep The Winter Sample Sales Humming

It is the dreary time of year when retail therapy may be the only way to get through short, cold days until Spring finally starts to take hold. This week, the Sample sale schedule has been doing its part to lift shoppers' spirits, starting with a debut in nomad from beauty and fragrance chain RITUALS. Customers have been responding well to the sale this week featuring bath and body indulgences along with gift sets and beauty items open through Sunday.

Also this week, designer NICHOLAS K enlisted 260SampleSale for the first time for his women's sample sale in SoHo. Look for savings on the advanced Contemporary collection also through Sunday. For good measure, last week's HERVE LEGER archive sale has been extended through Sunday. The label has recently changed hands, and is due for a revamp, relaunch or repositioning of some sort, so this may be the last chance for a while to pick up an iconic bandage dress.

For anyone with a taste for more advanced fare, the esteemed SoHo boutique IF is holding its seasonal basement sale through Sunday. Look for directional European labels like Margiela, Dries Van Notes and more at below-wholesale prices while they last.

For the tried and true menswear classicists, Lower East Side boutique FREEMANS SPORTING CLUB is holding its winter sale from Friday to Sunday at its Rivington Street boutique. Known for its timeless, meticulously constructed men's tailored clothing and sportswear, she label has evolved from Lower East Side pseudo-heritage brand trailblazer to classic clothing mainstay, and looks like a weekend must for men who are disenchanted with the parade of sneakers and streetwear that fashion seems be pushing on them these days.

This weekend, designer BRIAN ATWOOD appears to be holding a final clearing out of his stock of women's designer shoes advance of an expected relaunch of his signature brand. Fans looking for past favorite styles should be expected to turn up at the East Village Standard Hotel's penthouse on Friday and Saturday for a last chance before, hopefully, Atwood is ready to reveal the next steps for his brand.

Finally, Italian menswear mainstay CANALI will be taking over Soiffer Haskin for four days starting on Sunday with discounts on its luxurious men's tailored clothing, sportswear and accessories. It will be stock-up time for suited gentlemen looking for something more than middle-of-the-road classics.

Be sure to keep an eye on our SALE ROLL sidebar at left for hours and locations as well as any late-breaking events