lsb

My 16 yr old D would like to shop for a cocktail dress in NYC, price range is about $200 . Can anyone recommend a boutique or shop that is not a chain or department store? Thanks.

mclaurie

While not what you asked, Loehmann's (discount store) and Lord & Taylor are both good for this at that price point. For a boutique or small shop, we'd need to know what her taste is since selections will be smaller and more edited (ie some shops will have funkier styles while others will be more tailored). If she's into vintage or consignment shopping, there's a lot of that. Her size will also affect things. If she's very small, she'll have an easier time. NYmag.com lists sample sales too.

lsb

Thanks mclaurie, she's pretty petite usually size 0 or 2. Not sure what her style is but the last nice dress she bought was BCBG from Bloomingdale's, teal and short. I don't think her style is funky but not too conservative either. Modern classic ? As you can tell, I am not a fashionista. We might be able to go up to $250 range if she chips in. Thanks. We will check out Loehmnanns and Lord nad Taylor , any other suggestions?

aliska

Are you looking for a prom dress but knee length? There is a Filene's Basement in NYC and they used to have special prom dress "event sales" where you could buy really good deals on designer formal wear. I have 2 DDs, one 5'3 and one 5'9 so you can see they could never share dresses. We always did very well at the FB prom dress sales. By saving on the price of the dress, we went in for very good tailoring and accessories to match. For 7 sraight years I used to call every January and get the date. It was in early March, IIRC. If nothing else, it's a hoot to see all the girls grabbing dozens of dresses and trying them on wearing dance leotards right in the aisles. Just a thought.....

lsb

Thanks, it is a formal event similar to prom but it requires cocktail dress ,not floor length. Thanks for the suggestion aliska but I was really hoping for a small shop or boutique recommendation because my D was concerned about girls having the same dress. This event is in 2 weeks. Anyone else?

mclaurie

I would try this store http://www.yelp.com/biz/coup-de-coeu...ite%20clothing

northie

century 21 may hav ewhat you want and it's fun anyway!!!

lsb

Thanks for the suggestions, going tomorrow if anyone else has an idea for a boutique that has cocktail dresses in $250 range . Thanks.

travelbuff

The New York Mag suggestion is a really good idea, they will list sample sales and lots of stores listed as well.

Boutiques lots of those in Soho, but boutiques will have less formal attire, I would think and more Jeans. You might try Bloomies on Broadway, in Soho, and some of the stores walking south on Boadway.

Daffy's you gotta try Daffy's they will have some really nice dresses and there are several of the stores around the city. The two I would suggest would be at Herald Square and 57th and 8th Ave.

Have fun shopping.

lcuy

We combined a college tour with prom shopping, in Chicago, NYC, and Boston. It was a lot of fun, and we hit a lot of boutiques and the formal sections of all the big department stores. Like your daughter, mine really wanted to be the only one in "her" dress.

In the end she found a gorgeous dress, and we were very pleased. She got to the prom, and not only did another girl have her dress, but it was the girl w/the same last name, so their photos were posted (alphbetically ) next to each other!

She said it wasn't all that big a deal in the end though, because my DD is 5'10" and the other was 5"2" and the accessories were different. Plus, my DD loved her dress, shoes, hair and jewelry and knew she looked fabulous. At that point she didn't care if someone else had it too.

A couple of lessons we learned in the process:

Local stores usually log down prom dresses purchased for each event. If my daughter had bought this dress at the local boutique, she would have known it had been sold to another attendee. I think the other girl was more upset than mine, as she had been told she had the only copy of that dress in Hawaii.

I was surprised how beat up the dresses were in NYC. Snags, stains, wrinkles, etc. were the norm. these were the dresses for sale! Apparently, you can have them order another cleaner one, but you have to ask, and it would have to be mailed to you. We didn't notice this in Boston or Chicago.

nytraveler

It's true that in NYC much of the merchandise -esp not in the higher end stores looks used. Typically tried on several times before you get to it -and some women are just careless. I used to go shopping in suburban stores when I could - but then you don;t get the same selection If you want a choice of 300 or 400 dresses insted of 50 - then you're better off in Manhattan stores. And if what you want is stained - have them order you another.

japw82

Find a boutique with designers who are exclusive to NYC. This will eliminate the chance of someone else wearing the same dress at the function.