The idea of couture for children might sound over-the-top. But the designs at Miss Pym -- makers of dresses, suits, and coats for girls -- come off as exquisitely constructed and simple, not precious. At its sample sale (sizes for 3- to 10-year-old girls): velvet swing coat, was $485, now $215; sleeveless duppione-silk dresses with matching jackets, were $280, now $135; miscellaneous cotton and silk samples, were $165-$445, now $80-$225. Miss Pym, 1025 Fifth Ave., near 83rd St. (879-9530); M.C., V.; Thurs.-Sat. 10-7, by appointment only; 1/29-1/31.

Roses Fall
Finding an outstanding arrangement of flowers is no easy feat. But Arthur Brantley’s stand out from the rest. Valentine’s specials: one dozen roses, were $107, here $70; two dozen roses, were $200, now $125; one year of weekly flowers, was $5,000, now $3,370; one year of monthly flowers, was $975.24, now $780. Arthur Brantley Fine Flowers, 117 W. 28th St. (947-2963); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Sat. 8-5; through 2/13.

Fabric of the Neighborhood
Richard Harary has the mark of a man who owns his own business -- he knows every bolt of material in his store. Imported fabrics, were $19.95-$125, now $10-$62.50; custom-made sofa, was $3,100, now $1,900; custom balloon and Roman shades, were $18-$20 per square foot, now $12; custom-upholstered headboards, were $495-$695, now $295 and $375 (shade and headboard prices exclude fabric and installation); custom upholstery and slipcovers, 25 percent off. Richard’s Interior Design, 1390 Lexington Ave., near 91st St. (831-9000); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Fri. 10-6, Thurs. till 7, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-5; 1/26-2/28.

Trio Brio
One of the small fun-to-browse shops on Elizabeth Street, orio.trio sells a great selection of collectible china and glassware. At its sale, everything in the store will be 10 percent off and there will be $1-$5 baskets filled with odds and ends from sets. In addition, items like Russel Wright American Modern dinnerware set in pink, was $250, now $175. orio.trio, 248 Elizabeth St. (219-1501); A.E., M.C., V.; Tues.-Sat. 12-7, Sun. till 6; 2/1-2/15.

Waterworks
One of the stores caught in the Flatiron “flood,” 10/10 Optics is having a sale to make up for the days of business it lost. l.a. Eyeworks, Kata, Bada, Mossimo, DKNY, and others that we can’t mention will be 50 to 70 percent off. 10/10 Optics, 168 Fifth Ave., near 21st St. (366-1010); 1010 Second Ave., near 54th St. (753-7733); 187-10 Union Turnpike, Jamaica Estates (718-454-0770);A.E., M.C., V.; call for hours; 2/1-2/28.

Second Shifts
For the brides-to-be who don’t mind a wedding dress that’s been worn before, a wide selection of Michael’s gowns (including Vera Wang and Scaasi) is going on sale. The dresses originally retailed for $500-$2,500; here, they’re $199 apiece. Michael’s Consignment Shop, 1041 Madison Ave., nr. 79th St. (737-7273); cash only; Sun. 12-5; 2/1.

Heart of the Deal
To encourage people to buy more than flowers as a present on Valentine’s Day, the third-generation Japanese jewelry company Kazto is having a sample sale. For example: gold-and-diamond heart pendants with chain, retail $1,250, here $547; gold-and-diamond stack rings, retail $400, here $175. Kazto, 136 E. 57th St. (308-5081); checks accepted; by appointment only; 2/4-2/6.

Related:

• Archive: “Sales & Bargains”
• Articles by Ondine Cohane
• Table of Contents: Feb 2, 1998 issue of New York | Subscribe!