HOW LOW WILL THEY GO?

We’re not talking bargain basements or blue-light specials here. If you’re a serious shopper who knows the difference between Calvin Klein and Calvin Coolidge. you also know that a really great sale comes around about as often as a zero balance on your revolving charge account. Great sales are to serious shoppers what a vintage Rothschild is to wine connoisseurs. It’s an event to be savored-every discount swirled around deliciously.

Bargain-day dates, however, are kept as closely guarded secrets by area retailers who prefer to keep their cash registers ringing all year round. But with a little help from friendly salespeople and those in the know, we found a few dates to pencil in on your spring and summer shopping calendar. Just don’t tell them we told you.

Neiman-Marcus’s “Last Call” is a cattle call for those who live and breathe for discounts, markdowns, and close-outs. But if you can’t wail for the next time around-at the end of July-Stanley Korshak runs a close second in the bargain department when its merchandise goes down to half price at the end of May for ten days of pushing and shoving.

Trendy Lou Lattimore slashes prices even more, but sale dates are kept top secret. We did learn, however, that it might be a good idea to stop by for some winter and spring merchandise in the middle of May.

Early May will also be a good time to stretch the contents of your wallet at Lord & Taylor, when J.G. Hook hits half price and Carole Little (L&T’s private label) goes even lower.

Chicago’s high-end retailer Marshall Field’s has always gotten the “Last Word” in at the end of June, September. December, and March. Labels such as J.H. Collectibles and Evan Picone go as low as 60 percent off while their own house label skims dangerously low at 70 percent off. Go before noon and beat the battle.

Serious shoppers all know that The Gazebo had its final winter markdown in late January, but the big summer sale is still ahead in late July, when prices will plummet to 70 percent off. even on gorgeous evening-wear. At Ann Taylor, everything gets marked down eventually, especially at the end of March, then again in June. September, and December. Petite sizes are always the first to go.

Abercrombie & Fitch’s attic has year-round bargains marked down double, and then again. Some of last summer’s basics are hiding under winterwear. so be sure and dig down deep.

Crescent queen Lina Lee puts her California couture on sale in June, but better buys can be found in July, when prices are slashed to half. Ralph Lauren’s Polo Shop knocks down prices to 50 percent on selected shirts, trousers, and shorts toward the end of July. The last call for all summer wear at Lester Melnick is in August; Liz Claiborne lovers will find some separates up to 75 percent off ticketed prices. And for more designer discounts, check out Rue de Reves in October; selected merchandise will be 75 percent off.

Fort Worth’s Victoria’s and Harold’s shave down prices in the last week of June. Pants and shorts are down to 75 percent off at Victoria’s, while designer labels are cut to 60 percent. Ninety percent markdowns have been seen occasionally hanging between other bargains, so it’s well worth the trip to Cowtown.

For bargain-conscious men, Bigsby & Kruthers will have an after Father’s Day sale on June 22 that will last for a few weeks. Prices get lower as the weeks go by but bottom out in July.

And in the shoe department. Smyth Bros. will have a sale in June with a simple formula: the higher the price, the higher the markdown. And The Shoe Box has a clearance around June, with prices falling until July.