Help with ultimate US shopping list.

[kittya]

going in a week. I dont want to spend days traipsing around and I dont want to buy stuff that I can get as cheap here.

Has anyone been recently?

So far I have Levis Curve jeans (they look about half price)and Uggs for my mum.

The Mac and benefit make up looks about the same price.

Any suggestions? Not high range designer stuff!!

kids schoolbags and clothes from Lands End
baby dungarees from Osh Kosh

I didnt know Osh Kosh was still around.

I will google Lands End, do you get them everywhere?

Well I'd head to J Crew.

My parents are there at the moment and are bringing me back two pairs of curve ids. One pair was $59.99 and the other $79.99 but with additional discounts from the levis us website I have just checked on my credit card statement and they cost me £73 in total. They are also bringing me a pair of Ugg Kensingtons which are about £250 here and came through on the statement as £147. So worth considering if you want Uggs for yourself too.

My brother always bring me Benefit in his soapbag when he comes home - I do think it works out cheaper although not enough cheaper that I order stuff at random - just stuff I always use. I also get him to bring clinique - I use cityblock and that is (from memory) $17.50 as opposed to £15.

When DH goes to US for work he usually buys obscure designs of Converse for the kids - I assume this must be cheaper than in UK as he is really mean doesn't like spending money. He brings his mum and sisters brown bags - a trend that has passed me by - he thinks from Bloomingdales.

We have had DSIs from the states for the kids - not exactly style and beauty but could be worth thinking about for Xmas if your kids are right age and don't already have them.

I think if I was to go now I would probably be tempted to get a decent winter waterproof coat from North Face or similar - tend to cost same is $ as in £ and better range available. (I have been following the waterproof bum covering coat thread so a bit pre-occupied with this one.)

I cringe to admit that in the past we have had crocs cheaply from the US - not exactly one to get your pulse racing but at the time kids were small and it was a way of getting the colours and styles they fancied.

I have found that I've given shopping lists in the past and DH people have struggled to find certain items in the shops so now I order what I can online and get it delivered. If you have an address you can do this to I recommend considering this for straightforward stuff.

I cant really get delivered to a hotel though can I?

My mum has never had Uggs before, what cheaper style do you suggest?

Im definitely buying the Curve jeans, let me know if you like yours!!

What is J Crew like?

No, I dont think i will bother with make up although I like the Clinique eye make up remover. I have all the big dept stores on my doorstep so, keep the suggestions coming!!

thanks!

American Apparel for colourful separates.

Gap/Banana Republic/ Hollister - cheaper in US, obv.

Victoria's Secrets. I like their bath products more than their undies, though.

Old Navy is good for cheap separates/basics, too.

Xpress for cheap jeans.

The TK Maxx-style bargain places like Marshall's, Daffy's etc if you are up for hunting through rails fo stuff for a few good bargains.

Deffo Uggs if they're your thing. Ditto trainers and sportswear, especially Nike.

Isnt Americal Apparel going bust? I dont think I could even fit into a pair of tights there!!

Im really looking forward to it now.

Is AA going bust? Oh noooo!

Perfume
DKNY/Guess stuff - clothes, bags etc
Spanx underwear!

Some of the big department stores do discount cards for foreign shoppers (tax reduction or soemthing) - bring your passport with you.

www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/25/rise-fall-american-apparel

I dont like the sound of the owner anyway!!

JCrew, Ann Taylor Loft - they are both relatively "preppy" but are trying to get cooler.
Old Navy (but not for Tshirts, they will shrink).

Friends who have come here have bought Converse trainers and those fitness trainers (forgot what they are called).
Target is great for kids clothes, as is Old Navy.
Where exactly are you going? Look up the nearest outlets place to where you are going - there is a massive one near NYC for instance.

Vegas and SanFrancisco

Land's End is available in Sears stores and in a catalogue and online.

LLBean (doesn't have many shops) is great for good quality winter/snow gear and warm winter jackets. Mostly online and catalogue.

Old Navy
Target
Skechers fitness shoes with the curvy sole are everywhere
JCrew is what Michelle Obama wears

TJMaxx and Marshalls are discounters and if you don't mind spending a while going through a shop you can find nice things for less

Nordstrom is a very nice department store with lots of great brands, and Nordstrom Rack is their outlet where you can get great deals on footwear and clothes, usually located a bit away from the main shopping area or the mall, mostly on the outskirts of suburban malls

Outlet malls are good places for bargains, but getting to them might be difficult without a car

Carmex lip balm and Burts Bees stuff

We always get ibuprofen. You can buy bottles of 500, as opposed to the silly limits here. Sad but true.

American Eagle great for casual stuff

Seven Jeans too

I would check out branches of Sephora (apparently there's one at SF airport).
Duwop cosmetics.
Duane Read for nail polishes and maybe melatonin for the jet lag.

Origins was ridiculously cheap when I went and they have stand alone stores.

Kenneth Cole had nice stuff in stand alone stores too.

Lucky Brand jeans.
Bath and Body works for bath stuff.

I tried the Levis curve today. Very disappointed with them though.
The true straight were hideous and baggy even thought I was measured, and the assistant said no one really liked them.
The skinnies were pretty good but obviously not worth the £80 over here - definitely good for 59 dollars though.
(But, I did send my Boden ones back because of the baggy thigh effect.)

Emu I have these "Stingers" and they're lovely.

Go to Target. They now do Liberty's of London clothes - my DH got a lovely shirt for about $30. Great dresses too.

morag, how much does the postage cost and how long did it take?

Ps, you must hav skinny thighs!!

Sephora
Crest White Strips
Philosophy perfumes etc
Living Proof hair stuff

If you are shopping for teenage girls at all check out Delias - or if you like that look yourself. Their jeans start in a size 00 and come in lots of lengths and styles. Some of their graphic tees are great too.
Did anyone say American Eagle or Aeropostale as alternatives to Abercrombie?
I think I suggested DSW (discount shoe warehouse) on one of your other threads. Definitely worth it for shoes - much, much cheaper and very current too. It is what it says - a huge warehouse type store filled with shoes!
What sort of stuff are you looking for?

Sorry, that website I just thought was good for the number of styles available and the prices aren't that bad actually. I have no experience of ordering from them.
My Emu low stingers cost £59.99 from M&Co last Jan.

I do have skinny thighs....................with a big, fat arse on top

I would have loved to have bought my 3 nieces something that would be expensive here or that they cant get (not more craft stuff!!) they are 7,8 and 9 so not quite Hollister age!! I even thought something Holloweeny.

I will have to google some of these stores that I mentioned. I cant even cope with TK Maxx here so I dont think I would be very good in these discount places.

Has anyone any experience of outlets in Vegas or SanFran we wont have a car.

I would like some face products and Im quite addicted to cosmetics.

Is it worth me taking any toiletries or things like false eyelashes (it is Vegas!!)?

Macy's does 11% discount card if you show foreign ID. There's a big Macy's in SF. Outlets you have to drive to but probably worth the taxi fare for the amount you save. Vegas not so good for shopping, too many people getting in the way and mostly high end shops. We've had stuff delivered to hotels before that we've ordered online, they charge something like $30 to receive it and take it to your room.

thats very handy to know!

The fashion show mall in vegas, about halfway up Strip is very good, has a nordstrom and macy's I think, amongst other things, a bit like Westfield in overall tone (well it was in 2004), but smaller. Didn't recall it being so busy.

Would agree with sephora, banana republic, victoria's secret and ann taylor