I'm going to NY next week for a week. Any tips on packing or shopping?

I'm wondering if there are any tips on avoiding crowds & long lines when shopping in NYC. I remember just walking out of Century 21 & H&M on previous trips. I can't handle the lines & crowds. I guess I could go early. There is only one Century 21 that I'm aware of but should I go to particular H&Ms to avoid crowds? I could just wait until I am back in LA for H&M I suppose. Any fab places I should shop at?

I have started a pinterest board but am not sure whether to just have black as my main neutral or take my beige leather jacket & bags. I haven't put much in the pinterest yet as I need to take my own pics of a lot of my items.
http://pinterest.com/lovlealea.....-may-2013/

Should I leave my white jeans & jacket at home? People always comment how dirty one gets in NY. I will check bag but it still fills up & gets heavy with too many jeans so I'm thinking of taking only 2 pairs, black & blue or black & white. This might change to 3 pairs as I plan more. I also have an olive pair.

Thanks

13 years ago

Anonymous

I am not sure about what to pack, but it has gotten warmer here. You could live off a trench coat by now.
As far as shopping, I can help there:

The best H&M is on 52nd and Fifth - Rochefeller Center, in my opinion.

Check the Zara a block over, that is the NYC flagship. Also, check the sale section at the Banana Republic a block before as well. The sales rack is on the second floor. That store is the BR flagship, the smaller stores send the sale merchandise there. I have gotten crazy deals there.

GAP, LOFT, Forever21, American Eagle: By far, the ones located around Times Square.

If you ever go near Grand Central Station: Check Strawberry and a store called Boltons. As you walk in you are going to think I'm off my rocker, but check the shoe selection at Strawberry: I have spotted DV, Steve Madden, Jeffrey Campbell shoes for ridiculous prices. Check the outerwear at Boltoms. I just bought a BCBG trench for $60 dollars. Don't make a trip out of this, since both stores are not worth a full itinerary around them. I recommend only if you are already in the area.

Check Union Square too: There is the Rack, DSW, and several stores in the area: Banana, GAP, Anthropologie, Zara, H&M, etc.

There is only one Century 21 in NYC and that is by the WTC. It is chaotic but it is worth it, IMO.

I like SoHo for browsing too: Check the Kate Spade Store there and wait for it.... There is a ASH shoe store there also. This is the only one in the US. There is also a Comptroir du Cottoniers there. There are several stores at a higher price point: Helmut Lang, 7FAM for premium denim. Rag and Bone and the list goes on!

Have a blast. There is always a crowd everywhere you go. The key is to relax and pull away if things get too chaotic.

We are not much of a white denim wearer crowd unless it is 90 degrees but bring them on... brake the mold and off your pinterest, I would leave the moto boots home.

ElleH

Veteran

Thanks Zapotee! Great advice & wonderful list of shops. This is exactly what I was looking for, local shopping knowledge. I was thinking of leaving the moto boots. Still contemplating the wool coat. Nights are still cold on the wunderground forecast & I feel the cold. Especially given that I will be on foot, not in my cozy car like I am in LA. Oh and does anyone bother with suede there? It rains every time I go.

I wear suede but yes, i would not pack it on a trip. We have had a rather dry season, though. You should bring them and waterproof if necessary. I know Suz traveled with her suede report booties no problem either.
You are coming from sunny LA? Oh yes, you guys run cold. Ditto on the wool coat then. Please feel free to PM me if you need anything.
Do you need recs for food?

nancylee

Definitely check out Soho and Union Square shopping. It'll be busy but not nearly as crowded/busy as Midtown. You should also check out ABC Carpet and Home (Broadway between 18th and 9th) just to see the cool displays. There is a good tapas restaurant attached to ABC.

For lunch Union Square has some fun restaurants. Check out the Coffee Shop or Republic (noodles!). And the Red Cat in Chelsea is a good bet, too.

And I'd leave the white at home!

Zap unfortunately I have health issues that require me to be on a very specific diet so we have rented an apartment instead of a hotel room, in Chelsea, near Wholefoods so I can cook. I could eat at the Counter, a build your own burger place with grass fed beef. I need to eat at places that allow me to be picky. I need naked meat & fish, no spices & salad without tomato & no dressing, just olive oil & lemon on the side. That is what I have found to be the easiest for me when eating out. Grass fed & free range & wild caught meat & fish are preferred.

That is 2 votes to leave white at home. What about beige? I am thinking of bringing my beige leather jacket & bucket bag & clutch so I am not all black for Spring. What do New Yorkers do in Spring? Do they wear light colours or just add brights to their black?

Beige would work. It might be a nice compromise between white and black. It is spring, after all.

There is plenty of light colors, too. Light everything, perhaps not yet. I wear a cream leather jacket too.

NancyLee I will check out the Red Cat because I am staying in Chelsea.

Lord I just found another human being, who cannot eat tomatoes, i am so happy. I have several food allergies. I always modify my food. That should not be a problem.

kkards

I'm not a local NYC, but both my sisters live there, so I get to be both a tourist and a semi native a couple of times a year. Not sure if you will be there mid week, or only over a weekend, but if possible I recommend shopping mid week. Less crowded, and so much easier to get around. I would second the recommendation for Soho, some of the best street fashion, as well as actual shopping. And a pretty good mix of high & low price stores. Check out Uniqlo, they always have something interesting. Lots of great furniture stores in that neighborhood as well, if you are interested in that.
Have a great trip!

rachylou

Ok. I have to go home and look inside this sweater I have for the label. There used to be this girl in New York who had a shop where she sold her own designs, and I loved her stuff.

Ok. That probably describes a thousand girls. Are there any shops like that left in NY? Where individuals who make their own line of clothes run a shop?

Jjsloane

Listen to Zap - she's a genius.
My old friend Jimmy is a chef/owner of Red Cat so I hope you go there! I loved my meals there, but I am highly biased.
If you can check out Uniqlo and Joe Fresh (I don't think you have either near you). Club Monaco and Zara too.
Century 21 is great if not on a weekend.

Debora

My New Yorker is visiting and sitting right here next to me on the couch as we speak. As for shopping, she says go in the morning on a weekday while all the city dwellers are at work. Try to avoid lunch hour. Another vote for Soho and Union Square/Flatiron ( particularly 5th Ave between 17th St. and 23rd St.). For unique, independently owned boutiques, stroll along 7th and 9th streets in the Easy Village. There is also a Century 21 on the Upper West Side (in the old Barnes and Noble location) near Lincoln Center. I haven't been but would recommend to go early and avoid the lunch hour rush. Have a great trip!

I just remember another Century 21 in Queens, near Queens Center mall.
ETA: Deborah, I did not know about the one at Barnes and Noble. Can you please ask your DD if it is near Fordham U? I just tried google with no avail.

Here you go, Zap:
http://nymag.com/listings/stores/century-2103/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/century-21-manhattan-2
It's not near Fordham. It actually replaced the Barnes and Noble across from Lincoln Center. I loved that B&N, so mixed feelings here. Reviews say it's not as mammoth-sized as the downtown location, so it may be more manageable.

Should I bring rain boots?

Diana

Century 21 is best on weekday mornings, IMHO. It's least crowded then and relatively neat still since people haven't had time to mess it up.

Otherwise, I like to visit joe fresh and uniqlo since they're not found widely elsewhere. Soho and the east village for cute boutiques, fifth ave for window shopping.

And I actually like the enormous Macy's in herald square. It's quite unlike most other Macy's you may know.

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