The week in shopping
Sale of the week: One of my favorite sample sales is the Steven Alan showroom sale. Unfortunately I'll be out of town for this one, but you can take advantage of United Bamboo, Mint, and others for 30%-75% off. 5/20-5/22; 8:30-8, noon-7 Sat.; 103 Franklin St.

Frenchie Catherine Malandrino is opening a store at Hudson and 13th; in the meantime, check out her sample/stock sale, where clothes are $49-$399. 5/19-5/21; 9-7; 275 W. 39th St., 6th fl.

For the head-to-toe girly girls, Rebecca Taylor and Leigh Bantivoglio are holding a joint sample sale, where their clothes and lingerie, respectively, are up to 80% off, from $25-$90. 5/19-5/20; 10-7; 336 W. 37th St. (8th & 9th Aves.), 11th fl.

Girly girls also might want to check out the Lulu Guinness sale, where her whimsical clothes and accessories are up to 80% off. 5/20-5/21; 10-5; 230 W. 39th St.

The French are born, seemingly, with an innate sense of style; buy some Paul & Joe for 50% off at Find Outlet and fake it. 5/20-5/23; noon-7; 361 W. 17th St.

Hey, remember in the season finale of America's Next Top Model when Yoanna and Mercedes modeled in the DSquared2 "show"? Score some DSquared2 (and DieselStyleLab and Martin Margiela) at the Staff International sale. They have jackets ($150-$500), knitwear ($60-$150), skirts ($50-$100), and more, for men and women. 5/20-5/21; 10-6; 495 Broadway (near Broome St.), 8th fl.

Le Corset by Selima has fancy-pants designer lingerie from Roberto Cavalli, Chloé, Alberta Ferretti, and others, for 20%-75% off. Through 5/23; 80 Thompson St.

Yigal Azrouel has a memorable name, and memorable clothes for up to 65% off. 5/18-5/20; 9-7, 6-6 Th.; 225 W. 39th St., 7th fl.

Sales like this make you wonder why you bother buying retail: Vivienne Tam's spring collection is up to 75% off, with prices starting at $30. 5/19-5/21; 10-7, 10-6 Th.; 550 7th Ave. (at 39th St.), 20th fl.

This week, Clothingline has Betsey Johnson, Miss Sixty, Killah, Energie, and Sixty for men and women, for 50% off and up. Through 5/22; 261 W. 38th St. (7th & 8th Aves.), 2nd fl.

Disco king Carlos Falchi's handbags are $75-$1,500 (originally $225-$3,500) at this sale. 5/19-5/20; 9-6; 260 W. 39th St., 16th fl.

You can pay big bucks for designer versions of the ballet look, or you can hit the Capezio sale, where dance gear starts at $5. 5/19-5/21; 10-6; 1137 Madison Ave. (at 84th St.).

Another girly sale: Beth Bowley and Tabitha are up to 75 percent off; silk jersey dresses are $80 (from $225-$275). 5/19-5/21; 10-6, 10-4 Fri.; 23 W. 39th St., 5th fl.

Yet another girly sale: Tibi’s spring collection is $20-$125. 5/20-5/21; 10-5; 230 W. 39th St., 16th fl.

Bramasole’s flattering swimsuits are under $50. 5/19-5/22; 10-7; 195 Chrystie St., 4th fl.

Preppy Samantha Root handbags from past and present are 50%-75% off (starting at $73.50). 5/19-5/20; 10-6; 1133 Broadway (at 25th St.), ste. 708.

Apparently they didn't sell all of their merchandise last time: Rubin Chapelle’s womenswear is up to 70% off. 5/20-5/22; 11:30-8, noon-7 Sat.; 410 W. 14th St.

It's sometimes a bit mom-ish, but R.J. Graziano’s trendy jewelry is 50%-75% off. Through 5/20; 11-5:30; 389 5th Ave. (at 36th St.), ste. 310.

Promising up-and-comer Lila’s clothes are $40-$110. 5/18-5/21;9-6, 9-3 Fri.; 231 W. 39th St., 5th fl.

If you're fan-cee, check out the Carmen Marc Valvo sale, where gowns, cocktail dresses, and separates are 75% off. 5/18-5/19; 10-5; 530 7th Ave. (38th & 39th St.), 23rd fl.

Vizcaya Home’s decorative home accessories are 60%-90% off. Through 5/23; 11-6, noon-5 weekends; 227 W. 29th St., 9th fl.

Anbar Shoes' semi-annual clearance sale has Stuart Weitzman, Walter Steiger, BCBG, Via Spiga, Sacha London, D. Pliner, and others for $24-$84 (usually up to $350), and all sizes are available. Through 5/31; 60 Reade St.(Broadway and Church Sts.).

It's trunk show bonanza this week at Bergdorf's: Valentino, Marc Jacobs handbags, Verdura, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, Gucci, Halston, and J. Mendel are all having trunk shows; Karan makes a personal appearance tomorrow 5/18 from 2-4, and Halston's Bradley Bayou will make a personal appearance 5/19 and 5/20. Visit the website for details, as I'm too lazy to write all of them out.

Finally, downtown designer paradise Kirna Zabete is hosting a trunk show with champagne! RSVP to rsvp@kirnazabete.com. 5/19; 6-9; 96 Greene St. (Prince & Spring Sts.).