I'm 28 years old and I'll be at NYC from May 20 to May 25. I would like to hear some recommendations about the best discount stores to find great clothing at great prices (ex. less than $40) and a good variety in small sizes.

I'm not really aware of anyplace that sells great clothing for that kind of price but you might be able to find some mid range things at that price - are you looking for specific makers or specific types of clothes" sportswear? suits? evening? And how small is the size - 0? 2?

I'm looking for suits and casual clothing. I'm size 3 to 5.

Century 21 is the big discount store here -- it's downtown, right near the world trade center. I also really like Loehmans (sp?) -- it's on 7th Avenue, somewhere around 17th Street maybe. There are these stores called "Daffy's" all over the city. I never seem to find much that is quality there -- but it might be worth a look. There is also a Burlington Coat Factory -- but I kind of feel the same way about them as I do Daffys.

Good luck!
Cindy

Ditto on the previous poster's recommendation of Centruy 21. We spent several hours there during a recent trip, and I personally could've spent the entire vacation there! Unfortunately, DH and the kids weren't so enthusiastic!

Century 21 is definitely the most likely place to find discounted clothing in the city. http://www.c21stores.com/ Woodbury Commons, a short bus ride north is a huge outlet shopping complex that would also fit the bill. It's probably a 1 hour ride north of NYC. http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7 Happy shopping!

If you don't know H & M, it's a European clothing chain that sells up to the minute styles at amazingly low prices. There's one on Fifth Ave & around 50th st (near Rockefeller Center & St Patricks Cathedral) and another I think near Macys. They carry very small sizes. I would say you'll find more casual things or "dress casual" there. I agree Century 21 is a good idea, especially if you're downtown to go sightseeing. I have found things at Daffy's. I go to the one near Bloomingdales. For suits you might try Syms on 54th st just west of Park Ave or the previously mentioned Loehmanns. There's also Filenes Basement but I think their stuff is usually not great.

If you're really a shopper, the idea of going to the Woodbury Commons mall is a good one. There's a bus from Port Authority that will take you there.

Being that you are so small you may find some good deals on inexpensive clothing around Canal Street.
Not quality, mind you... and possibly too young for you but it can't hurt to look.
H&M would be my first choice!

Sym's also has casual clothing and often beats Century 21's prices. They have two locations, one downtown and one uptown. The downtown store is a quick walk from Century 21, so you could visit both on a shopping spree.

I'd also check New York Magazine's "Best Bets" column the week you're here. They list sample sales, which are sales held by clothing manufacturers here in the city. They're usually held in showrooms that you couldn't find on your own, and the prices are amazing (although, finding odd sizes is difficult because these are usually clothes that were created as samples for models). A quick Google search will find other sites that list sample sales in New York.

If just one store, Century 21. Give yourself a lot of time if you like shopping, it's a big store.

If you really wear a US 3 or 5 - as opposed to 4 or 6 - then I am guessing you shop in the junior department, as these are junior sizes; at C21 you'd want to look on both the 2nd & 3rd floors in that case - 2nd is junior - and who knows, you may indeed find a nice $300 dress for your $40 goal price. You'll definitely find nice tops, sweaters, etc. in your budget.

I'm a small size, and I have found that upscale consignment or upscale thrift stores usually have great selections in my size. I find if you shop in stores that are really picky about what they accept, you can get great clothes at very cheap prices. There's one store whose address is 17 S(?) 17th Street. It's not too far from my favorite NYC bookstore - the Strand.
The only problem I have with upscale consignment shopping in NYC is that apparently these stores don't stay in one place for a long time. I've had guidebooks (only a year or two old) that list consignment stores, and then when I got to NYC I can't seem to find half of them.