What should I buy in New York?

[Frenchkippy]

Off to NYC and was wondering what things I may want to get that haven't hit the UK yet? Any make up, products or clothes that may not be available here?

[Arealhumanbeing]

Definitely go here.

www.rickysnyc.com/

and to Sephora!

[GaryBarlowsTaxReturn]

Duane Reade (there's one on every corner) for bobby pins that are curved to fit your head and cheap Essie/OPI.

[VapersNest]

Exchange rate is crap these days, but its still worth a trip to 'drugstores' (like Duane Reade, mentioned above) for a good selection of cheapo up to mid-price make up and toiletries.

If you like perfume, you can buy some of the best-rated US celebrity fragrances (that even proper perfumistas like ) very cheaply in bargain stores like Target, Marshalls, Walmart etc. Some of them are discontinued or very hard to find in the UK (it took me months to find Queen by Queen Latifah on ebay at a price that wasn't silly - lovely, boozy oriental vanilla perfume - just an example).

[JoanLenin]

Nothing. Shopping in New York will be a disappointment, it's not better than shopping in London. Seriously. What can you buy in NY they don't have in London?
I fell into the same trap when going to NY and in the end I only bought some Chinese ethnic stuff from Chinatown. They have a shop though called Old Navy that we don't have here, it's similar to Gap though.

[Floisme]

Have to agree with Joan. New York is one of my favourite cities but the clothes shopping was a huge disappointment: designer or supermarket and very little in between. High street shopping was dire. There's one exception though: the consignment shops (second hand to you and me) are ace. Go to Tokyo 7 if you can, somewhere near the East Village as I recall (assuming it's still there) and possibly my favourite shop in the world.

[OlennasWimple]

Old NAvy is Gap's cheaper sister (Banana Republic is their more expensive sister). I wouldn't particularly bother to fill my suitcase with Old Navy stuff unless you really need lots of cheap t-shirts. If you can find a Gap outlet store, though, they can be worth a perusal

What sort of stuff are you thinking of, OP? Cosmetics? Clothes, Accessories?

[Arealhumanbeing]

Tk Maxx is supposed to be good for designer shoes, bags, scarves and other accessories.

It’s TJ Maxx over there though. If you have a look on YouTube you’ll find lots of vlogs of recent shopping trips to NY.

[Stevie77]

EVERYTHING!

J Crew
Coach
Levis
Trainers - whatever takes your fancy
All the OPI and Essie you can get your hands on in Target
All the cosmetics and skincare you can get your hands on in TJ Maxx
Activewear (aka exercise gear) in TJ Maxx or Marshalls
Banana Republic - nice quality work-wear but I find them expensive even in the US in terms of style to value ratio

[millifiori]

Going to Duane Reade is an experience in itself, just to be in a chemists shop which has cigarettes and whisky behind the counter. It'sa drugstore. they're drugs. But a bit like walking into Boots for 20 King Size and a quarter of Jack Daniels.

[millifiori]

I loved Chelsea market. Great clothes and jewellery if you like slightly boho/hipsterish stuff, hand made by local designers, so not stuff you can find elsewhere. I've had loads of compliments for my Chelsea market top and I'm a fat lass who doesn't get compliments normally.

[Arealhumanbeing]

I’m repeating myself now but DO visit Sephora on Times Square.

[AngeloMysterioso]

All the lovely smelling stuff in Bath & Body Works- candles, body spray, hand sanitizer (with really cute collectible holders)

Crest teeth whitening strips

[misssmilla1]

Get yourself to the Century 21 in downtown Manhattan. Its like TK Maxx but way way better. 5 floors of makeup, bags, shoes, clothes, home goods from top end designer to stuff like calvin klein and Nike

The TK maxx (known here as tj maxx) are generally a bit shit and remind me of a jumble sale. I wouldn't bother with Duane Reade or CVS etc for toiletries as its a massive rip off with inflated prices.

Seconding Sephora for makeup instead. They do amazing ranges of everything and you can easily spend a bloody fortune in there. There's a brand new one just opened on 5th Avenue thats got all their latest stuff in (they also have a ton of stuff like brow / make over bars in there)

Don't buy any electronics, unless they come with a universal plug / adapter as the voltage here is shit and if you plug it in in the UK, it will likely explode! Saying that, Apple stuff is cheaper here (well, it was, depends on your exchange rate...)

[Chestnut24]

Williams Sonoma at the Columbus Centre for kitchen gadgets. It's like the US version of Lakeland!

[ZaraW]

Nordstrom Rack and Fishes Eddy for homeward.

[Arealhumanbeing]

@misssmilla1

I think I meant Century 21 when I said TJ Maxx. Saw a couple of hauls on YouTube and it all looked brilliant.

[Mominatrix]

One thing to keep in mind about shopping in the US is that sales tax is not reflected on the price tag so the price you will pay at the till will be higher than the sticker price.

Clothing and shoes under $110 are exempt from sales tax and for there is an 8.5% sales tax levied on clothes and shoes higher than $110 (4.5% city and 4% state). Other goods (hotels, restaurants, electronics, etc) will be levied an 8.875% tax,

I never shop in NYC - much cheaper to buy the same goods in other states (for chain stores). For really unique things, I have things shipped to another state and avoid paying the tax.

[misssmilla1]

area yeah its insane there, you can find some beautiful stuff. I fell in love with a designer jacket (until I looked at the price..) and even at discount prices it was still $950 as it was $4k new!

Oh and randomly I find shoes here really expensive, much cheaper (unless you're going full on high end US designer) in the UK. Pair of something like a clarks leather shoe is easily $140 here.

They're big on all the korean skin care stuff here so its easy to get, if thats your bag. Same if you want any treatments done like high end spa pedicures, brazilian hair straightening treatments etc

[trainedopossum]

Visit Century 21. I think they have quite a good shoe dept though I'm not quite as bonkers on it as others are. You seem to have to spend quite a bit to get much of a bargain.

I always come home with aluminium-free baking powder, Smartfood cheesy popcorn, something (tissue-weight tees, jeans etc) from Target and Vanicream soap. Oh the glamour.

[trainedopossum]

Oops, cross post re C21. Yy re Fishs Eddy for fun browsing and good gifts.

[BuzzKillington]

There really is sod all worth buying in the US these days.

Having said that, I buy Crest Strips, Tylenol PM, Essie and loads of crap from Target including Tide with bleach - bloody love that.

[BuzzKillington]

Just remembered - go to See's Candies in the West Village (in fact, stay in the West Village - it's the best bit by far), for the best chocolate in the world.

[Piccolino2]

I’d find a store with Shu Umera and get myself some eyelash curlers. You can’t buy them in the UK and they are fab

[miffy2]

I love shopping in NYC!

Sephora - definitely, lots of brands you can't get your paws on here (or at least not easily).

Walgreens/Duane Read/CVS - I love a mosey. Covergirl is a brand not sold in Europe (yes I know it's like Max Factor but still...), huge ranges of Neutrogena, Cerave, Vanicream. Stock up on Advil, Tylenol, Jergens body lotions. Maybelline Full & Soft mascara!

Bath & Body Works - check out the C&O Bigelow hand lotions, lip balms.

I second See's Candies, and check out their Lollypops in cafe latte and chocolate flavours. One will last you hours.

I rarely buy clothes in the US unless GAP have one of their (way better) sales on while I am there. I get the sweats when I go to Macy's as it is just so HUGE and I don't know where to start looking. Oh, except I got a bargain Marc Jacobs bag on a clearance table in a Macy's last year. My favourite bag ever :)

[misssmilla1]

Good call on OTC medications. Melatonin, paracetamol, naproxen etc can all be bought etc with no limit on the amount you can buy at one time.

Also, don't hold out for airport shopping. The NYC airports dont have a great selection compared to Heathrow etc