where to go shopping-wise in New York

[MoodyDidIt]

am off to new york at the weekend for a week woohoo

have never been and am ridiculously excited, am intending to do a lot bit of shopping while i am there

but no idea where to go

am not loaded BTW but love designer bargains, doesnt everyone? so any suggestions would be amazing. we are staying right near 5th ave so very central if that helps....

Honestly?

Don't bother going shopping. Too much effort. Too overwhelming, in NYC. Save what cash you have for meals in amazing restaurants; have a lazy brunch wearing something fabulous you already own; read the paper over endless coffees. People-watch until your eyes fall out. Go to museums and art galleries in the Upper East Side and look at all of the fabulous people. Wrap up cosily and do laps of Central Park. Get inspired by what everyone's wearing, then, when you're home, work out what you want and how to put it together!

Sorry. I know that is so totally not the answer you were looking for. But it's what I'd do!

Have a brilliant time!

I agree with Curtsey. I went in Oct 2012, just before Sandy hit. Only went to one shop for about 10 minutes.... Macy's and was soooo disappointed. It was like a really tatty Debenhams circa 1975! And there were more security men than shoppers! Made me very nervous.

We went for 6 days and did so much but none of it shopping.

You can get a bus to Woodbury Common outlet, its pretty good there. At least it was five years ago!

Whaaaaat? Go to New York and not shop!?

Agree Macy's isn't really worth a visit, its not a patch on Selfridges. Personally I love the stretch of Broadway where it intersects with Prince / Spring / Broome Streets. A nice mix of big US chains and smaller independent shops. It's a very cool area just to wander around too.

Oh and for designer bargains Century 21 obviously. There's a few branches around but the downtown one is best. It's worth getting up early and being there for when it opens as it gets so busy later on.

Bloomingdales & then a trip out to Woodbury Common

Yes,yes, century 21, one by ground zero is best. Then back up to Time Warner building and Landmark, which is a fab bar with great food for lunch (their bellini's are lovely). Then try and get into Otto for amazing Italian food in the evening, you can't book, but wait at the bar until you're called. The olive oil ice cream is beyond amazing. Am very jealous!

Times Square has a lot of major shops - Gap, American Eagle etc

If you're into make up then Sephora is well worth a look. They are dotted all around the city, including one in Times Square.

I'm very jealous, NYC is amazing! Not shopping but if you have time you should try and get tickets to the Ground Zero Memorial. It's free to enter and it's incredibly awe inspiring.

I'm going to Woodbury Commons this afternoon. Just thought I'd share....

Sephore for makeup. Swoon. I love that shop. Be warned though, it's not partic cheap in NY these days.

Personally I wouldn't bother with shopping in Midtown. If you want designer bargains go to the Port Authority bus station at 42nd and 8th and get a bus out to Woodbury Commons.

Macys is the pits. I don't rate Century 21 either.

Sephora is good for makeup. There's a big Banana Republic and Anthropologie near the Rockefeller Center. In fact go to the Top of the Rock instead of the Empire State if you want to look at the city from great height. Maybe look for a J Crew as well.

Then I would just wander round SoHo gawping at all the independent boutiquey places.

Going in a few weeks and only shopping I'm doing is supermarket ( for lucky charms etc) excited!

FreeBitton makes a very valid point. The days of $2 to the £, fill your suitcases with cheap clothes are long gone.

If you're here for a week, how about considering putting one day aside for shopping and getting out of the city altogether? Woodbury Commons is a great outlet mall, and if you hire a car to get there and you have the energy, you could drive back via the Garden State Mall in Paramus NJ, which is huge and has every store you could possibly want.

Then spend the rest of the time enjoying NYC for what it is.

Oh and ivory soap so I can do this Soap Clouds

Bluecarrot, we did that. I now have a new microwave.

Bloomingdales is the best department store, and then hit Victoria Secret, Ambercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, GAP... then find Dean & Delucas for coffee ;)

I used to live in DC so we went to NYC many times... plusg oing for girls week in June

Interested about Woodbury Commons...what shops are there?

Bloomingdales lovely to just wander around and go ooooo! We were advised to go to Century 21 - what a disappointment, like a scruffier TK Maxx.

Good suggestion to rent a car: you could drive out to the Nordstrom in Paramus (although personally I think driving around that area of NJ is shit scary). Nordstrom is excellent for shoes.

Eek! Cat did you use ivory soap? Or another brand? It only works with ivory (though I'd love a new microwave...)

Madammecholet, Woodbury Commons has LOADS of stores. Saks, Neiman Marcus, Ugg, Coach, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Prada, Ralph Lauren. The list goes on.

LOL Phyllis. Yes, that's the downside. Driving in Paramus is a bit terrifying when you first try it.

Bluecarrot, yes we used ivory soap. It, quite literally, got everywhere and, no matter how many times I cleaned it, the microwave kept making our popcorn taste and smell like ivory soap!!

thanks for all the suggestions!

i am soooo excited

i don't want to spend all my time shopping, theres loads we want to see and do as well

Saks 5th avenue is my fave department store. Similar to Harvey Nics

yes saks is on my to go list!

Thanks TheCatInTheHairNet, i googled it and made my hit list!

MC Woodbury Common is marvellous. I still get their VIP emails. IIRC you can join their VIP shopper club and get vouchers. WC also has Choo, Chanel, Bottega, Chloe etc. My top tip is to get a locker early because you won't be able to carry it all