Before launching Bessette in 2024—a curated platform for discounted fashion—Alli Sims and Vanessa Mace were known among friends and coworkers as the “sample sale queens.” The cofounders met in 2020 while working at Matches, bonding instantly over their shared love of minimalist ’90s-inspired fashion—and scoring great deals on brands like The Row and Totême.

During their three years at the luxury retailer, starting as assistants and later becoming personal shoppers, they became notorious for their sample sale prowess. “We’d leave work early just to hit the Matches sample sales,” Alli jokes. “They were legendary—you could find the best pieces at unbelievable prices, and they happened every few months.” The two would rush straight to the accessories table, scanning the racks for hidden gems along the way. Vanessa recalls spotting a coveted Khaite jacket with silver buttons peeking out from a rack and snagging it without hesitation.

Their colleagues often left empty-handed, amazed at how Alli and Vanessa could sift through the chaos to find the designer pieces everyone wanted. “People would say, ‘I don’t get how you two always walk out with the best stuff,’” Vanessa laughs, mentioning some even jokingly offered to pay them to shop for them. While that never happened, it highlighted a bigger issue: physical sample sales were often disorganized and inaccessible outside major cities.

Bessette—named after Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s timeless style—was born from their vision to reinvent the sample sale experience. Instead of simply reselling past-season designer items, they wanted to create a curated destination for archival luxury fashion. The platform offers “up to 70% off curated luxury fashion,” focusing on quality over quantity and timeless design over fleeting trends. Vanessa notes that while discount pricing can sometimes carry a stigma, Bessette’s key difference is that “brands actually want to work with us.”

The site caters to fashion lovers who appreciate contemporary labels like Róhe, By Malene Birger, and Anine Bing, alongside higher-end finds from Khaite, The Row, and Jil Sander—a mix that reflects the cofounders’ personal tastes. Though they love the thrill of a great deal, their goal is to encourage thoughtful purchases of versatile, seasonless pieces. “We focus on timeless wardrobe staples—things you can invest in and wear for years,” Alli explains.

Below, the cofounders share their go-to workweek looks, tips for finding the best designer deals, and pieces from Bessette’s latest drop.

Summer Suiting
For unpredictable London weather, outerwear is key. Vanessa loves her Proenza Schouler jacket—a lightweight cotton style with a silver buckle—paired with a black Totême wrap skirt for a feminine touch. “A great jacket or blazer instantly pulls an outfit together when you don’t want to overthink it,” she says, finishing the look with Totême heeled sandals for a polished lunch ensemble.

Alli, on the other hand, opts for effortless sophistication with flowing trousers and kitten heels. “When I’m unsure what to wear, tailored trousers—whether wide-leg or cropped—always work,” she says.Black or white is just so easy. She paired it here with a green Róhe vest, which she describes as an elevated version of a tank top. These are all timeless wardrobe staples that reflect their love for versatile pieces that can be styled in countless ways.

Shop the Look:
– Róhe shaped waistcoat – $221
– Proenza Schouler White Label Helena pants – $291
– Le Monde Beryl flat knot satin sandals – $533
– Proenza Schouler Lana jacket – $1,743
– Toteme satin knot skirt – $623
– Toteme The Belted Croco flip-flop heel – $595

More Summer Suiting:
– COS knitted cotton vest – $129
– Róhe pleated recycled-twill wide-leg pants – $590
– Massimo Dutti cropped nappa leather jacket – $690
– Leset Lauren maxi skirt – $160

### Easy, Breezy
When summer arrives, Alli and Vanessa naturally reach for relaxed A-line dresses for effortless polish. Alli often ties a sweater around her waist for breezy mornings on her bike commute, while Vanessa loves a flowy midi in neutral tones to simplify her routine. “You don’t even have to think about matching colors,” she says of her go-to palette of creams, blacks, and beiges (with the occasional navy). Both like styling their dresses with kitten heels or flat sandals, adding interest with a statement cuff or pendant necklace.

Shop the Look:
– Proenza Schouler Tracey dress – $1,522
– Toteme fluid V-neck dress – $567

More Midi Dresses:
– Staud Enzo maxi shirt dress – $378
– Proenza Schouler Candice maxi sundress – $1,690
– COS gathered open-back midi dress – $165
– La Ligne stretch-knit and linen-blend midi dress – $425

### No Such Thing as Too Many Trench Coats
If you spot Alli biking around town, she’s likely in heels and a trench coat. At 5’3″, she admits, “I wear a little heel almost every day—I’m famous for biking in my four-inch Tabis.” A long trench doesn’t faze her—she owns four, including a cherished one from her grandmother. “It’s so easy to layer,” she says, listing her collection: two beige, a silky white, and a green style. “I love this Anine Bing one—it’s minimalist, like a Mac coat.” She pairs it with a small shoulder bag but swaps in a roomy tote for work.

Shop the Look:
– Anine Bing Brine tank – $124
– Anine Bing Carrie pants – $401
– Anine Bing Randy trench – $623
– Anine Bing Hilda sandals – $429

More Trench Coats:
– Burberry mid-length Camden Heritage car coat – $2,295
– Madewell single-breasted trench – $298

### Business in the Front, Party in the Back
The standout here is Róhe’s cream blazer top, which can be worn two ways. “It fits my style—classic with a twist,” says Vanessa. Made from lightweight linen, it’s perfect for warm weather. She styled it with black capris from COS—a trend she initially hesitated over. “I didn’t think it was for me, but it’s actually cool and comfy, like leggings.” For a casual vibe, she’d swap heels for flat leather flip-flops and an oversized shirt.

Shop the Look:
– Róhe reversed blazer top – $768
– Toteme The Velvet flip-flop heels – $442
– COS slim capri pants – $99
– Toteme Evening clutch – $1,257

More Capris:
– Staud Leone pants – $185Favorite Daughter
The Carrie Capris
$158
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