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NYC bound and seeking suggestions!

CarolS

Veteran

Hello all - first an apology -- I last posted a few weeks ago and then disappeared without fully responding to everyone's kind comments. I am afraid my extra time got diverted to planning a few upcoming trips:

To see my parents at their winter home in Texas (me, solo, coming up SOON)
To Palm Springs (DH, solo, he leaves the day I get back), and
To NYC in late March where I will turn 60 -- can't quite wrap my head around that one!!

In any case, I finally have most of the major pieces of the NYC trip -- hotel and a few shows (a big one, a small one, and a talk show taping) -- booked.

Now I want to plan some shopping.

I realize late March might not be the ideal time to shop for the kinds of things I need most, but I was determined to be there on my birthday, so will just deal with whatever is available, and focus on trying on things I don't normally have access to.

A few things on my radar:

Shoes - dressy/semi dressy, metallic or colours/styles I have trouble finding at home. I hope to at least do a lot of trying, but I'd sure love to find even one special shoe....

Tops that have enough presence to be worn without a topper, but would also work with one. I'm thinking long-sleeved t-shirts, lightweight knit tops, even some sweatshirts.

Jeans -- I'd like to slip into Tibi to satisfy my curiosity about some of their denim styles on my body. But am also looking to try on other brands not readily available to try at home. Would love to come home with a pair of jeans I really love.

Accessories -- I am a bit of a minimalist in this regard, but I know the right piece of jewelry can help a pretty basic outfit read as dressy or funky.

There's lots of shopping very near my hotel (right on 6th near Bryant Park) -- Cos, Zara, Uniqlo, Macy's, Nordstrom Rack (and Nordstrom is not terribly far away).

Where else might you suggest? I might peek into the odd high-end spot for inspiration, but I'll be honest -- my $ threshold is going to be firmly in the modest range. Not only am I thrifty by nature, but every USD I spend will cost me about $1.35 in CAD!

Any great second hand or thrift stores that are particularly worth a look?

TIA for any suggestions or advice!!

General

32 replies

Latest reply was from CarolS

kkards

Veteran

It’s been a long time since I’ve been shopping in NYC, but I’m a fan of the Housing works thrift shops. The RealReal has physical locations in NYC but I’ve never been. When in the city I always liked shopping Bloomingdale’s.

have a great trip!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Bloomingdales! But you will find a million options. I'll bet the native New Yorkers and Angie will have more specific suggestions. One thing I'd do is make a list of the shoe brands that have sometimes worked for you and look for places that sell those. You will get more variety and more sizes in store than anywhere else, I imagine.

L'Abeille

Veteran

When I went to NYC a few years back, my clothes shopping was totally discouraging... Until I came across the Uniqlo store (this was before they were in Canada).

BUT... If you have any intention of visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, make sure to set aside time to go to the gift shop. I had fun sifting through the gorgeous scarves and came away with two based on William Morris prints: a small silk square and a large wool challis square. The silk is now my go-to for everything.

Roberta

Veteran

I recommend visiting Muji and & Other Stories, both on Fifth across from the library. I didn't buy anything there, but had a GREAT time looking! The Scotch and Soda on Lafayette is wonderful browsing too, and is in a great shopping neighborhood overall. Have a sandwich at Parm while you're there.

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, Kkards and Suz - Bloomingdales is going on the list! And yes, Suz, I have to assume I'll find a better selection of sizes, styles and brands to try!

L'Abeille -- great suggestion and adding to my list. I love that you found such a special piece that is now such a workhorse in your wardrobe -- that's the best kind of souvenir!

Thanks for sharing experience from your recent trip, Roberta! I was wondering about both those stores and it sounds like both are very close to my "home base". Scotch and Soda is also an excellent suggestion! (And thanks for the food recommendation, too! There's so much eating to be done....)

Brooklyn

Veteran

I really enjoyed the Housing Works thrift shops when I was in NYC. Forum member Jaime recommended them. They are scattered all over the city but my favourite was on the upper west side near Peruvian Connection (also worth a visit if you like that style). Bonus of shopping at the Housing Works (besides the good cause) is that my DH really enjoyed it too, so I didn’t have to abandon him or bore him. As well as clothes they have furniture, decor and odds and ends. Quite the treasure trove.

I also recommend the gift shop at the Met Museum for jewellery and clothing. I have a fabulous gold Egyptian style cuff and a Klimt style gold and black t-shirt from there. Both are Summer workhorses for me.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Here’s another recommendation for the Met Museum gift shop. I also recommend Uniqulo at Hudson Yards, and Macy’s is always fun. Definitely check out Eataly for some good food.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

My experience is mostly second hand stores, although I do like Muji and Uniqlo in terms of retail. There are several locations of each depending on where you are going. Sounds like a mid-town centered trip if you are seeing shows! How long will you be there and how adventuresome do you want to be ?

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, Brooklyn and Karie for the great recommendations! I didn't get into the Met Museum gift shop last time we were in NY (15 years ago), but it sounds like it belongs on my list this time if at all possible.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

In Soho you can hit up a bunch of those mentioned — Bloomingdale’s, Uniqlo, COS, & Other Stories, The Real Real, Rag & Bone, 7 For All Mankind, and AG for jeans. I think Tibi is down there too, along with lots of other high-end and midrange shops. But sometimes you just stumble upon great little accessory shops and pop-ups too, so leave yourself some time to just explore and leave a little to chance, if you can!

Walk the High Line if you get time, too — from Hudson Yard down to Chelsea.

CarolS

Veteran

Hi Jaime -- We'll have six full days in Manhattan--based in midtown. Other than a jaunt over to Brooklyn so we can walk back across the bridge, I don't expect to be in any of the Burroughs but i do hope to get a bit of time in Soho/LES. How adventuresome do I want to be? Good question. But I'm open to ideas!!

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, Janet - the High Line is definitely on my list!! I think a Soho wander sounds fabulous!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I have many more good wishes for you & your birthday than ideas about where to shop in NYC. A friend recommends the mall near Columbus Circle. I’ve shopped the Met Museum gift shop online, have the Klimt T and an enamel Cinar bracelet, but would love to touch and try the different items.

Non-fashiony ideas: the tenement museum! We enjoyed the brunch cruise here, and I’d like to do an architecture tour: https://sail-nyc.com/public-events/ This travel writer lived in NYC for years and has comments on it mixed in with her other stuff. https://www.instagram.com/reel.....MyMTA2M2Y=

Have a wonderful birthday, great trip, and super new decade!

ETA website for the museum I mentioned. It is not artsy, but we loved it. https://www.tenement.org/

CarolS

Veteran

Thank you for the good wishes and great suggestions, Stag!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My vote is for Soho too! Big on Bloomies so there is that.

Have a fabulous and safe trip! A fab place to celebrate a milestone birthday!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

It would be amazing to go to the Tibi store in person! I have interacted with some of the stylists online and they are incredibly helpful. My impression is that they genuinely want to educate people about different fits and cuts, and they’re not going to pressure you to buy. Save your $$ till their next online sale, should be June or July

Anonymous

NYC scares me- went once and don't plan to return! That said- yes to Peruvian Connection, Met Store (scarves!!), and Macy's (I remember it as Huge- like 3 floors or more).

CarolS

Veteran

Thank you, Angie! I'm crossing my fingers that retail isn't just totally full of summer by that point, as that's my season of lowest need. But if all else fails I suppose there are always accessories....

Jessikams -- I'm generally a bit intimidated by high end boutiques, but I have had that same same impression from Amy's videos. I just hope they have something in stock in my size to try on.... And I wish I was a bit more enamored of the spring 2023 collection -- it isn't speaking particularly loudly to me....

Suntiger -- TBH it scares me a bit too...The first time we went (15 years ago) was at a super stressful time in my work life and I found it very overwhelming. I'm hoping that I can be more centred and relazed on this trip -- although I am not sure if the terms relaxed and Midtown Manhattan really happen in the same sentence all that often!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I LOVE NYC and feel oddly relaxed and energized there. That would probably change if I lived there full-time. But I’m used to city vibes. I know it can be overwhelming to others who are new to it — my BIL was blown away when we took him there the first time for the All-Star Game years ago.

My husband’s and my approach to spending time there is to kind of pretend we live there: allow ourselves to just wander and window shop, and don’t schedule too many things. We basically allow ourselves one touristy experience per trip (last time it was lunch at the top of One World Trade Center). We stayed near enough to Central Park to go for a morning run or walk in the park early every morning, which is a truly lovely respite. It’s easy to feel like you need to do *all the things* when you go there, but I think that can just leave you feeling exhausted and overstimulated.

CarolS

Veteran

That makes a lot of sense, Janet. I have really struggled with deciding where to stay -- lots of appeal to being near Central Park, lots of appeal to staying in Soho or LES, and lots of good reasons to be closer to Times Square. I figure our spot near Bryant Park puts us close to a green space where we can go to breathe but makes us pretty central for jaunts up toward Central Park or down toward Soho and LES!

This stay we will have a kitchenette, which will allow us to "live" a bit more normally. There appear to be lots of great little groceries nearby in addition to Whole Foods, so we won't have to go out for every meal.

I quite like the idea of leaving time to just wander. That's how I treated much of my one trip to Paris (for my 50th) -- we did some touristy things, but I just wanted to BE there....

Laurie

Veteran

I love NY. Love love love it.

Here are a couple of random suggestions:
1_ Best bagels, bagel sandwiches - Ess-A-Bagel - 50th & 3rd (really. The best)

2_ Any interest in magic and a fancy evening? This show is very special, and sort of the opposite of a big Broadway musical. Very intimate room, amazing effects, great performer. And you are asked to dress up to attend it. Chamber Magic with Steve Cohen We saw it many years ago. I see he has lots of big name reviews now!

I rarely shop in New York, but I have had times when I've had to get something I forgot, etc.. I find that the Zara stores in NYC are lovely, compared to the mess that is at our local mall.

Happiest of birthdays. Welcome to the new decade. It's ok. Come on over.

LaPed

Veteran

Your travels sound wonderful, and best wishes for your milestone birthday! I am headed to New York (with DH, SIL and two kids in tow) next week, somewhat celebrating my 37th and DS's 9th birthdays, although in truth this trip is a *very* belated birthday gift for our 12yo niece. She lives in MTL, but has been longing to see NYC for years (Paris next, someday!). Pandemic has thrown wrench after wrench in our plans. I'll try to make time to report back once I'm home.

I don't tend to do a lot of fashion shopping while I'm in the city, but love to browse, window shop, and people watch to gather inspiration. I do make a point of visiting at least one bookstore each time I go. The Strand, Shakespeare & Co, etc. This time, since our crew is predominantly francophone, we'll be hitting up Albertine. Like Janet, my approach to city travel is typically to pick one or two touristy activities and spend the rest of the time wandering and going with the flow. Following this thread with interest for more suggestions.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

And yes to Ess-a-Bagel!

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions, Laurie! I had a peek at the website and that magic show sounds amazing. And, um, so do the bagels...

LaPed --Happy birthday to ALL of you -- what a great way to celebrate after far too many pandemic related delays! I look forward to hearing about your trip!!

Debora

Veteran

Happy Birthday! Hah! I’ll also be in NYC/Brooklyn next month, and my trip will happily coincide with my late March birthday! So excited to make my first post-pandemic trip back to the city. Like some of the others, I don’t always shop when I’m in the city. I love visiting the museums - there are so many great ones to chose from. I was going to recommend the Frick Collection, a lovely little oasis in a mansion on the Upper East Side, but I see it is temporarily closed. Another beautiful mansion museum is the Neue Gallery (German/Austrian art and Klimt’s Woman in Gold), also on the Upper East Side and not far from The Met. I highly recommend their lovely Viennese cafe for coffee and pastries.

https://www.neuegalerie.org/

La Ped, happy birthday to all of you, too! We never miss a visit to the Strand bookstore when we are in the city. Love that place! You’ll love the Albertine. It’s a little gem, tucked inside yet another historic mansion. Be sure to climb the stairs to the children’s section on the second floor and look up at its amazing star studded galaxy of a ceiling.

Oh! You specifically asked about shopping! Another vote for Soho! I do have one shopping recommendation - Catbird for jewelry. Brooklyn based jewelry designers with a shop also in Soho.

https://www.catbirdnyc.com/

You’ll find all price points. DD loves their chains, bracelets and stacking rings. Her wedding and engagement rings also came from there. I like to shop their ‘little luxuries’ for stocking stuffers.
https://www.catbirdnyc.com/col.....uries.html

Have a wonderful birthday!

CarolS

Veteran

Well this is a fun coincidence, Deborah - we share the same birthdate!

Thank you for the gallery recommendation. I would love to see the Klimt.... And I will keep an eye out for Catbird in Soho. I am going to need more hours in my days.

I'm looking forward to comparing notes on our trips!!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Sorry I dropped the ball on this Carol. So, if you are interested in second hand shopping, my favorite area of Manhattan is the lower East side. There is Tokio7, which is an old stalwart for designer brands, but there are also many other little vintage places around it. I also like to go to buy/sell/trade stores like Buffalo Exchange, Beacon's Closet and there are many more. But it is a real treasure hunt in places like that. Housing Works in Chelsea (lower west side) is a favorite and there is also one in Soho right near the main shopping street (Broadway). Truthfully much of Soho has become an outdoor shopping mall and I definitely agree that a simple wander around and see what you find is a great way to go.

CarolS

Veteran

No apology needed, Jaime! I'm the queen of dropping the ball these days. Thank you for the suggestions. I'm taking copious notes and will keep my eyes peeled and mind open.

Roberta

Veteran

Since you are going to be right by the library, I heartily recommend you go to the Treasures exhibit at New York Public. And if you have time (and you never have enough time in New York City), have a visit to the Morgan Library across the street as well. If you're a book lover or a history lover, those are two of my favorite places in the city.

Personally, I was unimpressed by the High Line. It's crowded and touristy, and New York has so many beautiful parks everywhere you go, that I would rather visit one of them. No offense to anyone who loves it!

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