Help on what to buy / wear in NYC

[MsGee]

I am off to New York in Oct (and then Wadhington if that helps) and need to know what to buy / wear. I will be staying with (stylish) friends (also a mum in Westchester) before I can hit the shops so need to take some ok things as well as buy. I normally wear skinny jeans, baggy tops, or dresses and opaque tights. I am a vanity size 12 (so 12 in gap...) :)

I want to buy trainers, skin care and make up (but normally v sensitive eczema skin so dermalogica) and somethings which makes me feel like a less frumpy 40 yesr old. I work from home so no work stuff.

Any suggestions on how to appear less frumpy / blow money appreciated!!

[summerflowers]

Century 21 department store in Manhattan was very good. It sells handbags, clothes, skin care etc.
Jeans were very cheap and designer handbags
My son bought Timberlands that were £150 in England for around £90.
There is an outlet village about 1 1/2 hours from Manhattan that is supposed to be very good.
We had a brilliant holiday - watching the sunset from the Empire State building was one of the highlights