We’re only two weeks away from Memorial Day, and it’s time to start thinking about roof parties and barbecues. So the Gourmet Garage in SoHo (less pricey than its neighbors, even without a sale) is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a buy-one-get-one-free offer on private-label items so you can have more people over without the expense. Gourmet salsa and chips, fruits and veggies, pasta sauces, soups, ravioli, breads, cheeses, coffees, and flowers will be among the featured items. Gourmet Garage, 453 Broome St. (941-5850); A.E., M.C., V.; daily 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; 5/11-5/24.

All-Around Great

There are two reasons to go to Diane von Furstenberg’s sample sale: First, for her famous wrap dresses, of course; and second, because her West Village carriage house is a space worth seeing. But dresses aren’t all she designs: Back wraps, halter wraps, two-piece wraps (get the picture?) will mostly be priced at more than 50 percent off. Diane von Furstenberg, 389 W. 12th St. (753-1111); cash only; Thurs.-Fri. 10-7; 5/14-5/15.

In With the New

TSE’s cashmere sweaters achieved fame among fashionistas many years back, but the label’s new designer, Hussein Chalayan, is taking it to new heights. At the spring sample sale, linens, silks, cashmere, and cottons, retail $60-$1,000, will now be $15-$200. There’s also a limited supply of one-of-a-kind runway and showroom samples at wholesale and below. TSE, 632 Broadway, between Bleecker and Houston Sts., fourth floor (319-8284); Wed.-Sat. 11-6; A.E, M.C., V.; 5/13-5/16.

Down to the Toes

So now that you have the wrap dress and maybe a nice cashmere cardigan for chilly nights, you still need summer shoes. So the next stop is Stephane Kélian. More than 600 pairs from the collection to choose from, as well as styles from Maud Frizon, Martine Sitbon, and Mosquitos. All are about 50 percent off retail prices. Stephane Kélian, 120 Wooster St., second floor (274-8484); Tues.-Thurs. 10-5; cash only; 5/12-5/14.

Maxxed Out

And the beach bag? Turn to Maxx, NY for a variety of possibilities, as well as day and evening bags in microfiber, leather, canvas, straw, and mesh. For example, tote and matching compartment wristlet, retail $210, here $105; ribbed mesh beach tote, retail $135, here $65; wood-grain leather bags, retail $175-$245, here $60-$88. Maxx, New York, 385 Fifth Ave. at 36th St., Suite 1010 (679-3220); Fri.-Sun. 12-5; Mon.-Thurs. 11-6:30; A.E., M.C., V.; 5/15-5/21.

Baring All

Next comes the delicate choice of whether to wear a bikini or a one-piece this summer. In Swim -- a showroom that carries bathing suits by designers like Karla Colletto and Rosa Ferrer (whose maillot made the cover of that issue of Sports Illustrated this year) -- is having a sample sale of one-piece suits, bikinis, and cover-ups; they retail for $120 and up, but here they’ll be $50-$100. Sample sizes only (S/M and size 8). In Swim, 202 W. 40th St., Suite 1106 (575-2351); call for appointment; cash only; 5/11-5/16.

Baths and Krafts

Kraft Hardware -- one of the main resources for architects, designers, and decorators -- is tanking up for its annual one-day sale. An Ultra Whirlpool tub (was $2,595, now $1,000) and an Aldo Bagnella pedestal sink (was $4,072, now $1,500) are among the featured items, along with one-of-a-kind and discontinued items at 80 percent off. Kraft Hardware, 306 E. 61st St. (838-2214); M.C., V.; Sat. 10-4; 5/16.

Showing Off

Ghost, Erickson Beamon, Whistles, Amaya Arzuaga, Ann Turk, Lianne Barnes, Beverly Mehl, and Eva Branca are among the designers featured at Showroom Seven’s summer sale. Priced at wholesale and below. Showroom Seven, 498 Seventh Ave., near 36th St. 24th Floor (643-4810); A.E. M.C., V.; Tues.-Fri. 10-7; 5/12-5/22.

Related:

• Archive: “Sales & Bargains”
• Articles by Ondine Cohane
• Table of Contents: May 18, 1998 issue of New York | Subscribe!