Are clothes cheaper in the USA?

[BlackBag]

I have a couple of days in a city, just me, to wonder round.

Are clothes cheaper there?

I imagine the service is better there then here in the UK with the grunting troll who 'helped' last time I bought jeans.

Good chain recommendations please for a 30 something who doesn't like Fatface/Boden [sorry] finds the odd bit in All Saints and the Toast sale.

I do think clothes are cheaper in the U.S. Do you need jeans? Buy them there, not here. But without knowing which city you are going to (you are very mysterious) it's hard to recommend stores / chains because not everything is everywhere, IYSWIM.

Jeans are way cheaper. If the city where you're going had a Filene's Basement it's worth wading through the crap for a bargain. I got three pairs of Seven For All Mankind jeans in there for $88.

Yes, clothes are cheaper. It depends on what size city you are in, but I would look for the obvious, Banana Republic and Gap and then onto the rest - J Crew, Madewell, Express, maybe Ann Taylor. I'd also check out a Target and/or Old Navy for cheap t shirts and basics and maybe Victoria's Secret for some delicate unmentionables. For department stores, I'd go to Nordstrom, Macy's and Bloomingdale's but in the US dept stores are pretty regional so it depends on where you are going. When I go over, I buy shoes, especially trainers, and jeans - oh and work out type clothes.

Clothes are a lot cheaper, some cosmetics too - I haven't been for about 18 months but brands like clinique were at least 1/3rd cheaper too. Levis as well are considerably cheaper.

Yes I generally find if something is $10 in the USA it is £10 here so at current exchage rate you effectivley get 1/3 off.

Dont forget though if you are buying a signifcant amount you have to declare it at UK customs when you get back. This is what HMRC say about Duty free allowance.

"Other goods including perfume and souvenirs

You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 without having to pay tax and/or duty.

If you arrive by private plane or private boat for pleasure purposes, you can only bring in other goods worth up to £270 tax and duty free.

If you bring in any single item worth more than your allowance, you must pay duty and/or tax on the full item value, not just the value above the allowance. You also cannot group individual allowances together to bring in an item worth more than the limit."

You arent flying by private plane are you?

As magnoliamom suggests, Banana Republic, J Crew and Madewell are the obvious ones. BCBG Max Azria has some nice things in at the moment if you want any evening outfits (nice dresses and metallic accessories).

I am indeed planning to be an International womann of mystery, sitting in coffee shops, wafting past local flower markets...no kids in tow and DH sat in his conference.

Obviously given the tax situation I shall not now be travelling by private boat

Actually after a few years parenting I think I need everything and at last have some time to try it on first.

Definately jeans, I last went to the states 10 years ago and had the best shopping experience ever buying jeans, the lady looked at me and just kept chucking stuff at me and then saying 'no, try this'. Left that shop with three perfect pairs.

Off to Boston by the way...