Help on what to buy / wear in NYC

[MsGee]

I am off to New York in Oct (and then Wadhington if that helps) and need to know what to buy / wear. I will be staying with (stylish) friends (also a mum in Westchester) before I can hit the shops so need to take some ok things as well as buy. I normally wear skinny jeans, baggy tops, or dresses and opaque tights. I am a vanity size 12 (so 12 in gap...) :)

I want to buy trainers, skin care and make up (but normally v sensitive eczema skin so dermalogica) and somethings which makes me feel like a less frumpy 40 yesr old. I work from home so no work stuff.

Any suggestions on how to appear less frumpy / blow money appreciated!!

Century 21 department store in Manhattan was very good. It sells handbags, clothes, skin care etc.
Jeans were very cheap and designer handbags
My son bought Timberlands that were £150 in England for around £90.
There is an outlet village about 1 1/2 hours from Manhattan that is supposed to be very good.
We had a brilliant holiday - watching the sunset from the Empire State building was one of the highlights