Have moved to the USA and don't know where to shop!

[CleansLate]

I wasn't sure if I should post here or in living abroad or try to find a mumsnet for the USA (doesn't seem to be one). I am going to try here first and hope you can help me!

We just moved to the USA. I don't know where to buy clothes. For the kids we have got bits at target and sears. But I have noticed the quality isn't brilliant.

In the UK I shopped at uniqlo, asos, dorothy perkins, vivien of holloway, m+s for pants. Not got any of those in my city. But I was hoping to make the most of my new surroundings and get eg some good jeans, nice layering pieces, things that will last. It's about to get cold.

I don't get much childfree time so while I could go to the oxford street equivalent and have a look in the big department stores I'd really rather have an idea of where to go!

It seems a bit backwards to buy clothes from UK stores and have them shipped internationally.

Am a size 14 (a US 10 I think?!), and would really like it if anyone has any stores they liked I could find and try.

Well, my favourite subject

You've got Forever21 for more trendy, H&M like stuff.
Express, Old Navy/Gap for a range of casuals (also for nice kids clothes).
Carter's and OshKosh for kids clothes.

Have you hot any outlet malls nearby? Do you have a Macy's?

Also, if you're in the mood for rummaging (I never am) then you can try Ross and Marshall's. Nordstrom is another department store offering many brands under one roof.

I LOVE Nordstrom but it's a bit expensive - I want to buy some 'premium denim' jeans for xmas I think and was thinking I could go there for that?

I have heard of forever 21 and there is one an easy journey away and it's near an Old Navy so I shall make that my first childfree excursion, thankyou!

I don't know if we have any outlet malls! I will investigate. There is a Macy's 'in town' yes!

God, where do you NOT shop? Where are you in the US? Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Nordstroms... Have you been to the mall yet? There IS a mall, right? Kids like malls, there's usually a play area and fun stuff to eat.

I love Macy's. Gap, Ametican Eagle, and Abercrombie and Fitch are excellent places for teens. Sears would not be my choice for...much of anything. I believe the quality of merchandise is inferior.

I don't know if there's a mall! I don't think so, not like you mean, though eldest DS had a party at somewhere which was a 'strip mall' I think? Am living in Chicago. I have heard of Gap etc obviously but never shopped there in the UK so didn't really think of them here - Ann Taylor is a new one on me! Last time I spent time shopping in the USA I was plus-sized, early 20s and didn't have kids so my priorities were vvvvv different iykwim.

scribbles notes furiously

And where's good for shoes? We got some shoes from payless for DS2 and they have fallen apart already! Is there a clarks-equivalent?

...sign up for coupons too- they're much bigger on that than we are here. don't forget J Crew!

I am rubbish at coupons and keep forgetting about them. Do I go to the shop's website for coupons or is there some way of getting them I don't know about? Must learn.

I think you just register on their websites, and then they email them to you

This is one of my specialist subjects. JCrew is great for sweaters but be sure to head to the back of the store and go through the sale rails. Madewell is also owned by JCrew and is a supposedly the styling is little younger - can't see it myself though.

On Michigan Avenue there are massive H & M, Forever 21, Top Shop and Zara shops, so some choice there.

For children's shoes there is a specialist shoe store called Piggy Toes. There is one on Halsted and one on Western. They sell the main European brands. You could also go to Nordstrom as they have a fabulous selection of children's shoes.
Be sure to look at Zappos.Com too. They ship for free and shoes arrive the very next day and the selection is massive. Free returns too.

Uniqlo have just in the last week or two started selling online. I ordered something and it arrived two days later.

For bargains, and only if you have time to browse try Off Saks and Nordstrom Rack.

Cleans, for shoes you might want to try Famous Footwear or DSW. Much better quality than Payless. If you do online ordering, LL Bean is an excellent resource for outerwear, boots, and men's clothing..

I'm going to hyperventilate. Chicago is a giant mall. Where are you? Suburbs? North, south, east west? Central? I will find your mall. There are many, many, outlet malls near you, too. Carter's outlets are fabulous for young children's clothes, esp pajamas. And at Old Navy outlets, if you have the energy to sift through, they basically give you the clothes for free. Get yourself on the gap/old navy friends & family email, you'll get 30% off emails 4 times a year, the best ones are around christmas.

Have you got your winter coats & boots? Don't skimp on those, it will get colder there than you can imagine.

I second Zappos...love the selection,quality and customer service..

Zappos.com is your friend. Free delivery and 365 day return policy.

I still buy my kids undies at M&S and have people bring them out. They actually do deliver to the states for about 15 quid.

Natasha Torrid were my obsession when I was here last! But I feel too old for that stuff now sadly (doesn't mean I am, just that I feel it). Thanks for the tips, am making notes! There IS an outlet mall (well three!), but getting there is going to be a bit of a trial as will need to sell it to DH and the DCs.

I am having major problems with pants (underwear pants not trouser pants) and think I am going to have to stock up on my usuals from M+S at xmas time when I am in the UK.

Relieved to hear that Sears are considered bad quality tbh as I was very discouraged.

Felicity wow are you a local?! Live right near a Piggy Toes and got DS2's wellies from there but DS1's feet are too big already which is annoying. And v expensive - I know proper shoes are but have three kids and am having to budget massively atm. Will get them properly sized and have a look at zappos maybe. Thankyou!

Yes, yes to winter coats and boots. Lands End online (even though they are owned by Sears) are pretty good for small children or look for one of the big outdoor stores - REI or Dick's Sporting Goods. Buy them soon.

Urban Outfitters on State Street is a fun place to shop. They also own Anthropologie which tends to be a little more expensive.

Cleans, better to go to malls, sooner than later..the mad insane Chritsmas rush to shops will begin in the next few weeks. Parking and behaviour of people will deteriorate as Christmas get closer..

Where are you in the US?

Cynner thankyou, we need ugly-but-warm coats and DH needs clothes badly not that he'll admit it, and I was thinking Land's End because I'd head of them (hangs head in shame), will take a look at LL Bean!

Sneepy eeee more specialist knowledge, love it, thankyou! I am NW Chicago I think - Lincoln Square. I have found 'premium outlets chicago' is that the right sort of thing?

have got DS2 special boots (what a great birthday present eh), but need to get the kids big coats etc.

Stride Rite is a kids shoe brand that fits and sells good quality shoes- maybe a bit more expensive than Clarks but similar.

I thought Target was ok for pants, they do multi packs similar to marks.

Agree with Carters for kids clothes, they're great.

My DH (a Chicagoan) loves Eddie Bauer for his clothes.

SO excited by all the responses, am totally thrilled and have told DH that we will save loooooads of money by going to outlet malls. Better had as will need to hire a car for the trip!

Have a lot of info to be getting on with but any other suggestions gratefully received!

Premium outlets sounds just about right. Go for Gap pants, nicest I've ever had, there are always sales too.