Shopping in New York

Stop making me jealous with your talk of New York... I want to go so badly.... maybe I'll see what monies might get for my birthday in September and try pop over before Christmas

I want to go... now

I loved the area around Manhatten Mall, for such a relatively small area it had great stuff. Love the knit tops in Aeropostale, the going out tops and shoes in Charlotte Russe, got two pairs of shoes for $30 and still perfect a year on. Incidentally does anyone know if Charlotte Russe deliver internationally if I order online? Strawberry can have the odd quaint little bargain.

If you don't like TJ Maxx steer well clear of Century 21. On the other hand if you do chance it, my advice is give yourself time for two visits. Day one to scope it out, and day two to try on and buy, since you're only allowed 7 items in a changing room which is actually fcek all. I can't quite remember but I think it was on the second floor, or maybe first, in an unlikely spot that I discovered some going out tops that I had tried on in Macy's 4th floor the day before, way cheaper!! BTW I got a great pair of Joes Jeans for about $50 and also saw Victoria Beckham white Rock and Republic jeans, $40 but white isn't a great colour practicality wise!

Macy's is good for real Guess, etc and the fourth floor has great party dresses.

You have to go to Abercrombie on 54th street (or near there) and 5th - just for the models alone, what an experience! Madness!

Xpress Two do great jeans, I think it was around 30th and 5th give or take a street that I was in, and I got the best jeans of all time! If you paid in cash you got 40% off at the time!

Tommy Hilfiger is the only brand I couldn't find much of in NYC itself, Woodbury defo better for that.

Sephora is good for makeup, try the Tarte Lip Stain, heaven on earth!

In summary - if I knew you I'd hate you, I'm unbelievably homesick for NY, , I lived beside Century 21 last summer, what a city it is. Enjoy the sightseeing!:D

Hi Hockeygirl, reading this thread makes we want to go back to New York

I've been to New York 3 times and each time I went to Woodbury Common, but in January I went to Jersey Gardens for the first time. I loved it for casual wear - polo shirts, hoodies etc, and it was nice and quiet. The bus only costs $9, compared to around $40 to go to Woodbury Common. BUT I do like Woodbury Common too, I got a pair of jeans and a leather bag in Juicy Couture for around $130 each and a pair of UGGs for around $180. If you only have time for one I'd recommend going on to the Jersey Gardens and Woodbury Common websites and looking at the store listings to see which appeals to you.

EDIT: Sorry the boss came in in the middle of that!

For designer jeans I'd recommend Saks, they sell all the top brands and the staff are really helpful without being too pushy. You might pick up a few pairs in the outlet stores, but I hate having to root, and even paying full price you're still making savings compared to prices here. Like you, I love Rock and Republic Jeans too, but they just don't suit me they're only around $200 a pair, compared to around €400 here :eek: I found 7 For All Mankind a better fit and I got a pair in Saks for around $180.

The New York Magazine website is really good for finding out where shops are located (linky)

I don't know how much you're prepared to spend on a designer bag, but Guess bags are only about half the price they are here. There's two shops - one in South Street Seaport and a larger one in SoHo, there's also outlets in Jersey Gardens and Woodbury Common, but the stuff in the outlets tends to be old-fashioned. There's a lot of other good shops down in SoHo (just search by neighbourhood on that NY Mag link), but the layout of the streets makes it a bit harder to find them.

Enjoy your trip