Any shopping hints for NYC?

[Newhere2]

Anything that I should get that I can't get here or that is much better value in the US?

Any favourite shopping experiences?

[Cherrypie32]

If you do a search there's quite a few threads on this. Basically not much that's a bargain anymore but I plan to buy Levi Curve jeans when I go in March.

[MorrisZapp]

Not much that's a bargain? You're kidding?? It's all a bargain! I haven't been to the US for years but I miss the shopping so much. Mind you, give me a good old fashioned mall over street shopping any day.

OP, have you been in a US drugstore? The main NY one is Duane Reade, they have them everywhere. Rammed with bargainous wonders, totally addictive.

[MorrisZapp]

How much are Levis Curve?

[FunkyBoldRibena]

No the prices over there are nowhere as cheap as they used to be.

My advice, know what you are looking for and the price over here, so that you can work out what is cheaper over there, not forgetting the sales tax, before you buy it.

[IsItSafeToDance]

If you like J Crew things, they're much much cheaper in America than in the UK. Otherwise, everything pretty same-y price wise for the big name clothing brands really.

If you like beauty things make sure to stop in a Sephora, which are amazing caves of every type of make-up you could desire! And if you fancy a manicure/ pedicure they're much cheaper than in the UK - even with a tip.

Aside from doing the classics like Bloomingdales and Macy's, I'd recommend exploring some of the independent (read: hipster) shops around the HighLine (which you should definitely visit) and I enjoyed going shopping around Soho for big name brands.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

[verybadhairdoo]

ooh cant remember the name of it, but there is an outlet mall nearby. You can get a bus from grand central station. Lots of great brands & good bargains. bugger, the name the name....

[MorrisZapp]

Woodbury Common! Been there, it's fab :)

[goonyagoodthing]

If you are a Primark gal, and not into designer labels, don't go near Woodbury Common. $80 dollars it cost for bus tickets for two of us and everything was designer stuff, which I can't afford so didn't buy.

[Mitchell2]

There's another outlet place called jersey gardens near Newark airport. Train from NY pen then a bus to the outlet, I think it's about $20- $30 ish for the trip. It's less designer than Woodbury common and because in Jersey no sales tax! Otherwise century 21 is worth a trip, a big outlet store near the World Trade Center site. For Bloomingdales you can get a visitors discount (I think 10%) if you go to the one on the upper east side. Just head to the visitors center and show your passport and they give you a card. Duane reade, cvs are both fab drug stores, agree sephora is good and a lot of US cosmetics brands are cheaper. Depending on style and budget j.crew, Ann Taylor and brands like Diane Von furstenburg are cheaper. Yes it's not as cheap as it was but still good bargains to be had! Enjoy

[verybadhairdoo]

ah yes, thanks morris, that's it!

[Lighthousekeeping]

There's quite afew recent threads on this. Infact, I'm dying to know how the OP who posted afew weeks ago got on. Nothing is as cheap as it was but if there's any special offers on then Levis are much cheaper than the £90 they charge here. Bloomingdales had 25% off everything when I was there. Old Navy which I love had spend $40 get 40% off everything. Holister is a lot cheaper. Have a shopping plan and stick to it then it won't cut into the many more things there are to do in nyc. I'm very envious.

[Lighthousekeeping]

All the hipsters shop here catbirdnyc.com/shop/product.php?productid=17037&cat=297&page=1 and if you tie it in with Brooklyn flea market day you can get loads of unusual things. It's also a great drinking/eating area.

[Newhere2]

thanks.
I see things like Jbrands and Uggs etc are much cheaper in -- What about the best department stores?
any personal shopper advice?

[Lighthousekeeping]

You get extra off in the dept stores with your passport. If you like Ralph Lauren it's a lot cheaper. Other than that the dept stores didn't really grab me. I did like the small centuary 21 at coulombus circle. I got loads of underwear and spanx bits from there.

[BecauseIsaidS0]

I go regularly to NY for work and only bother with Sephora (because of their stock) and the Apple store (because so much cheaper).

[Lighthousekeeping]

Is Apple cheaper though? We were buying some speakers and stood in the queue when I thought to google them. There was a fiver difference.

[Lighthousekeeping]

The Sephora sets can't be beaten. I love that shop.

[BecauseIsaidS0]

Not sure about accessories, but for iPads/MacBooks etc. yes, lots cheaper.

[Dontletthemgetyoudown]

uggs are cheaper, I buy for the dd's when we go over. the childrens ones often work out about £40 compared to £100 here.

I'd go for stores and brands we don't have here. Old navy is great for bargains, all kinds of sizes and styles like gap but cheaper. (its owned by gap) gap itself is pretty much the same price.

Sam Edelman sandals are fab, good price over there, cheaper than the UK.

[nickdrakeslovechild]

Uggs are a lot cheaper, agree with going to Sephora so much choice and a lot cheaper than here. Also any chemists / drugstores like Duane Reade do great make up cheap including opi and china glaze nail polish at a fraction of the price we pay.

[1974rach]

Would it be wrong to go to the states just to go shopping at CVS and Sephora?

I love love LOVE those shops, you can poke about for hours and find loads of treasures.

[Framboisier]

If you like drugstores, find a Ricky's - a treasure trove of crazy tat mixed in with v nice, high end brands

Not sure about the price differential, but the experience alone is worth it...real hair fake eyebrows anyone!?

(dr murad is cheaper if you happen to use that...)

[Lighthousekeeping]

I really regret not buying the lemon body cream from here www.bigelowchemists.com I thought I'd go back but, of course I never found it again.

[WeGotAnnie]

American brands are cheaper, basically, although because of the exchange rate, the price savings are no longer huge.

I love American drugstores. Duane Reade, Walgreens etc. Find a big one and poke about in the make-up section. Plenty of deals. Revlon stuff is cheaper, and loads of cheap/mid range beauty brands you wont find in the UK.