Mommar

I'm planning a special Mother/daughter trip to NYC in advance of my daughter's bat mitzvah celebration. A little shopping, a little theater, some eating out, it should be just great!

I'd love some recommendations on stores that carry nice formal dresses or "evening" style suits for her big day. Since she's only 12, this may or may not be the same stores as would carry prom dresses, but I'm sure some of you have some great ideas.

We don't have the same range of shops in Los Angeles that cater to this age group and still have nice, dressy outfits. But I don't even know where to begin (other than the big Macy's.) Anywhere convenient to Manhattan or a cabride/subway ride away is worth thinking about. Thank you in advance!!

lcuy

We did our prom shopping in NYC last spring while on a college tour. My daughter is a size 2 or 4 and found the best selections at Lord & Taylor and Saks, and she bought a gorgeous one from L&T. It was a lot of fun, and as we had hunted dresses in Chicago and Boston a few days earlier, She felt really good about her selection.

But...basically the dresses were the exact same ones sold in the department stores in the other cities, and we found the same ones in Honolulu too. Other downsides of NYC shopping: many of the dresses were damaged with snags and stains, the sales help was pretty much invisible, and the sales tax was high.

GoTravel

Since it is for her bat mitzvah, I'd hit the major department stores such as Bloomingdales, Sak's, and Lord & Taylor.

I would probably skip Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys.

ekscrunchy

Kleinfelds is famous for wedding clothes but I would guess they have lots of appropriate things for your daughter in the way of bridesmaids' things that could also be great for her big day. Don't think the stereotypical bridesmaids' stuff..this store is very fashion forward these days. I would give them a try.

lizziea06

You could also take her to Madison Avenue - BCBG and Nicole Miller. Other options with multiple locations in the city are - Searle, Montmartre, Intermix, and Betsey Johnson. The Laundry store in Soho is also a great option, and you can visit the downtown Bloomies at the same time.

mp

Try Lester's on the Upper east Side - THE place to acquire 13th year celebration clothes. 1534 2nd Avenue at 80th Street. Very large selection.

Mommar

Thanks everyone! I'm writing these all down and still have some time (we're going in March) if you remember another one. Is it difficult to get to Kleinfelds from midtown?

Thanks!!

ekscrunchy

Kleinfelds is at 110 West 20th Street; it is an easy cab ride from midtown. Also an easy walk of a little more than a mile from Times Square.