Conway is sort of like Walmart for clothes--very inexpensive basics, often "no name" clothes ($5 shirts, $10 pants). Conway is much "younger" than any of the the others
There's no Marshall's in Manhattan, but its sister store TJ Maxx is like Filene's Basement, a mix of lower to middle end stuff, at good to very good discounts. TJ Maxx is a bit of a mess sometimes. Some locations of Filene's have designer stuff, putting it more at the level of Loehmann's. There's also a local area chain Daffy's that's on par with TJ Maxx with some interesting designers and brand names that aren't seen as much elsehwere. Usually very good discounts.
Century 21 is middle to higher end and is a bigger department store type with other bedding and housewares, too, all discounted. All carry men's and women's clothes. Some of these stores at some times are really really hectic, so prepare yourself! In Manhattan, at 18th street and 6th avenue, there are a Filene's Basement and a TJ Maxx in the same building

Clinique bonus days (when you get a gift with a purchase of around $25 or more) are listed on their website. Prices on the products are identical everywhere, so you might as well find a store that's running the bonus when you are around

I've heard that the duty free shop at JFK can be an excellent place for Clinique discounts but you may not be flying out of the country from JFK. You're probably stopping on the west coast first. Agree that looking on clinique.com for the dates you're here will tell you whether any bonuses are planned.

As for clothes, unfortunately the discount shops are hit and miss depending on time of year you visit and sizes you need. In late Sept. all you'll find here are fall/winter clothes. Will that work for you?

Hi, thanks for replies. We are living in London at present and arrive at Newark.

Thanks for the tip about Clinique Bonus Days. I'll definitely check out the website and hopefully there will be one on when we're there.

Any type of clothes are good. We have TK Maxx in the UK and it can be very hit and miss. Sometimes good stuff if you have the time and patience.

I won't be looking at designer stuff (I'm too mean) so looks like I can cross Loehmann's off the list.

Janie, when you say very hectic, do you mean queueing for a change room or just lots of people in the store?

Thanks, keep the replies coming. I need to narrow down where I can go, we have to spend some time sightseeing too

Kay

Most of the discount stores are messy and disorganized. Displays are not well-kept, especially when there are a lot of shoppers, but most New York stores have inadequate staffing, so all of them are a mess during the weekends and especially around Christmas.

Century 21 is the mecca for designer and discount shopping in NYC, but I don't know if they even have dressing rooms (they didn't used to but were renovated after 9/11).

With only 4 days, I think you'd better limit yourself to the mainstays, but one of the best outlet malls in the U.S. (Woodbury Common) is about 90-minutes drive north of NYC and there are many tourist buses that go there. But you'd have to waste a full day doing this trip, though it has an amazing array of clothing and housewares, including Prada, Gucci, Ralph Lauren (many different stores), and many mainstream brands.

You'll find all the clothing options here bargains compared to London, so don't necessarily limit yourself to the "discount" stores. You can find good deals at Macy's and Bloomingdales as well. All the discount stores here are hit or miss, and I doubt you'll find the experience much different than in the UK. H&M prices are especially good in the U.S., but the offerings are really not different from what you'd find in London or Paris, so it's hardly worth the trouble.

Clinique can be found at all of the big department stores, including Macy's, Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, and Saks. It's also sold at Sephora and Century 21 (where you can sometimes get deals, though most of the time the prices are just the same as in the regular stores).

I wouldn't eliminate Loehmann's. It's not just "designer" clothes. TJ Maxx is better here than TK Maxx in the UK (in my experience).

Thanks for the info. I don't think I've narrowed down the choices though - just added to them! Looking forward to seeing New York for real, instead of in movies.

Best wishes
Kay

Kay, there are Loehmann's discount coupons (15% off all purchases--one day only) available on line.

Thanks maryanntex for the Loehmann's tip but I've just been looking on their website and can't see the coupons. Do you know whereabouts they are?

Kay

Cnetury21 have clothes for both genders. If you have no time may be you should buy the New York luxury shopping deLuxe card.
They have Dunhill, Versace for men, Davide cenci, unique items for men!

Century 21 does have dressing rooms now and they open early. very early 7:45 a.m. on a weekday. And that's when I would go there. You'll have until about 10:30/11ish where the store is not as much of a zoo. Go on your first day when you wake up early. You could combine it with seeing ground zero (not much time) and walking down to Battery Park to see the statute of liberty if you want.

Or if you still have stamina, take the one train to 18th street and go to TJ Maxx, Filene's Basement and then Loehman's which is just an avenue over.

Hard core shopping. Go for it!

Thanks for the tips on Century 21. I don't mind crowded stores but hate having to queue for a change room. We are trying to group our activities so we do stuff in one area each day. There is a lot to see and do in that general area (do you call it downtown?).

Think I'll give the deluxe card a big miss - I'm more into the $50 top reduced to $8, than designer names.

Kay