NYC Shopping questions
 

My friend and I are going to New York this weekend for a shopping and sightseeing trip. We think we've organised the sightseeing, but I have some shopping questions.<BR><BR>Where should we go for good quality (but probably not designer) skirt suits, cashmere sweaters, and dresses, preferably at a discount?! I mean fashionable clothes suitable for wearing to work. <BR><BR>We plan to visit Century 21 - will that store have this type of item? Am I right that Canal St is more for accessories and shoes than clothes? We plan to shop there too! I've read about Jersey Gardens but am not sure whether we have time to visit - does anyone have specific stores there that we should head for? Thank you!<BR><BR>Also, one last question, showing my complete ignorance! If we buy the multi-trip Metrocard (not the one day pass), it seems to allow transfers between subway lines and buses within 2 hours. How does this work - do you insert the card in the machine on the bus for the 2nd half of the trip, or not? Is it the same for changing subway lines?

there are a lot of answers out there 2 your questions. try a search on canal street and shopping.

I don't have definite answers to your questions so I hope someone else also answers this, but I hate it when people post a reply that just says do a search. Your questions were very sensible and deserve actual answers. As far as the metro card I am pretty sure you put your card into the box on the bus it just doesn't charge you if it's within the two hours and you are doing a transfer. Canal street is definitly mostly accessories (bags, scarves, designer knock off watches, etc). There are some actual clothes stores (for example I know there are chain stores like Payless Shoes - yes I realize shoes are an accessory but the point is there are chain stores). For the kind of shopping you describe you'll need to go elsewhere. Probably better than just a search on this forum would be to go to goodle.com and put in shopping and New York and you'll get tons of sites, then pick shopping and there are lots of lists of the kinds of store you are looking at . New York is full of them. I personally like thrift shops and wierder stuff so I don't remember where all the more upscale discounters are but they are there.

Ruth: if you are going only for the weekend, you might want to get an unlimited use MetroCard for the subway and busses. The daily pass is $4-about equivalent to 3 rides (single ride is $1.50). We were in NYC last week and got the weekly pass and used about 6-7/day. It was well worth the money since it was raining heavily. Also, we went to Canal Street on Sunday. It was VERY crowded and we didn't care too much for the merchandise. A other suggestion for shopping at a discount is TJ Maxx and Marshall's stores. They are all over the US, I'm not sure about New York City. Maybe a real New Yorker can help you on that. They have designer clothes, shoes and accessories, usually at a reasonable discount. Also check out department store sales/clearances. Have a good time in NYC.

To say that I'm not a shopper is an understatement but I do know this - Century 21 is the place to find higher end and designer labels at a discount and you may also find some bargains (probably more mid line but plenty of office appropriate clothes) at Daffy's in midtown. I have the impression that Daffyu's is more like a Marshall's than like Century 21. Canal Street has loads of knockoff's - Aigne (sp?) bags, Gucci sunglasses, Tiffany silver necklaces and bracelets - it's all there. They are all copies of course but some are of surprisingly good quality for cheap goods (others are poorly made - you have to look carefully). You may also find good deals, particularly on leather goods such as coats, in the "Orchard Street Bargain District" on the lower east side.<BR><BR>Yes, get the $4 per day unlimited Metrocard. If you enter a subway and go to a bus, just insert it into the machine on the bus and it will automatically read your transfer (and vice versa from bus to subway). Best to look carefully and learn which way the card goes into the card reader so you won't hold up the line of people getting on! If I recall correctly, you're right about the two hour limit. If you change subway lines on an internal transfer (meaning you walk within tunnels and don't go out through a turnstile) htere's no cost. If you leave a subway and try to come back in to another subway there's a time lapse before you can use the unlimited Metrocard again. I believe it's 10 or 15 minutes after you swipe it before you can swipe it again - this is to prevent multiple people from sharing the same unlimited ride card when they travel las a group.

Ruth, as usual Owen's advice is perfect. About shopping for discounted clothing, yes Century 21 is an option but personally I can't stand that store. It's always horribly crowded, the salespeople are useless if you need help and you sometimes have to fight your way to paw through the racks which aren't very organized. It's very hit-or-miss. If you're up to that, go for it. There's another store called Forman's that I like much better. They have nice clothes (Jones NY, Liz, etc.) at discounted prices and the stores are much nicer. There's one on 42nd St near Grand Central and another downtown, on William St I think, and another on Orchard St. Another discounted designer label store is Daffy's, but I'm not sure the exact address, it's in midtown on Madison or 5th. Anyway hope this helps, have a great time shopping.

Ruth:<BR>Owens' explanation of the Metro Card needs no further comment.<BR>As far as shopping goes- I must warn you- do not expect to walk away with arm loads at Century 21. I say this because it's a hit or miss store. I live in the city and make it there about once a month but half the time, I leave buying nothing at all. Also, be advised that it has very high end designers that, even at a discount, are still pretty pricey. <BR>May I suggest you make your way to 7th ave. & 16th st. and give Loehmanns a whirl. I think you'll be pleased with the large variety of different brand names & designer labels at all different price points. <BR>I also recommend you do a web search on sites such as citysearch, time out new york, etc.<BR><BR>Good luck, have fun & be safe.<BR>

Also try Loehman's (7th Ave @18th st-approx). Its a big store- 4 floors. Also (sorry for a "search" response) look up Sample Sales+New York City on Google. Sample Sales will be your true fashion score. WWW.DailyCandy.com might have some of that info as well.

Ruth<BR>Insert the Metro Card with the logo facing you and the hole in the card on the bottom!<BR>Enjoy NYC!

One more thing to add about Century 21. I love the store but you can't just run in and run out. Plan to spend at the very minimum of three hours in there. It takes me a good hour and a half just to get through handbags and accessories. The previous poster is correct, even though it is a discount store, it isn't cheap. A Fendi bag will set you back at least $200. Shoes can easily run you $100 BUT, we are talking shoes that were originally $500-$600. Also check out Syms.

More comments on Century 21... it does have high end designer clothes (located on the 3rd fl), also on the 3rd floor is mid-range designer clothes (suits, sweaters, skirts, pants) but it also has less expensive more casual clothes as well (on the 2nd fl). I take my 13 yr old there all the time. We find tops and sweaters for &lt; $15 and lower end designer jeans and cords for around $25 (on the 2nd fl). It also has a decent shoe dept, with lots of mid-range designers. It's also great for lingerie, socks, pantyhose and accessories as well as bed and bath necessities. Daffy's, as already mentioned, is located in various locations throughout the city and is primarily clothes. Loehman's is another good suggestion. Also the big department stores seem always to be having a sale.

Don't miss Syms on Park Avenue in the E. 50's. Park Avenue location, Canal Street prices!

These replies are wonderful! Thank you all so much. <BR><BR>Thanks for the warnings about Century 21, we will know much better what to expect.<BR><BR>I will do the search for sample sales, and make a note of all the other stores. Fantastic!

Re Metrocard: if you buy a multi-trip card, you have a two hour "transfer" period. But remember the transfer has to be connected. (For example, you can't go to Century 21, walk up to Chinatown and then use the "transfer")<BR><BR>If you expect to make more than 2 trips, you should buy the 1 day Fun Pass ($4) which allows you unlimited riding.<BR><BR>The machines also sell a "single ride" ticket. That ticket does not allow you to transfer anywhere and is good for only one "swipe" be it subway or bus, but not both.

Ruth, just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents worth to tell you that Jersey Gardens has Marshall's Megastore, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Daffy's, Filene's Basement and Burlington Coat Factory, all of which stock various designer wear at rock bottom prices. The outlet mall also houses Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azaria, Gap, Guess, Levis & Dockers, and Ralph Lauren Polo, just to name a few. There are lots of shoe shops, accessories stores and a food court. I know time is a major factor in your planning, but it is a short bus ride from Port Authoriy. Maybe you could get there when it opens and allow yourselves a certain amount of hours to shop before heading back into the city. In the amount of time you would travel to Century 21, look around, shop, etc. in this one store you could return to the city with bagloads of clothing items for only a couple of hours more from many stores. It's just another viewpoint. I've never liked shopping in Century 21 because of the crowds and the amount of time it takes to shop in one store.

Century 21 is the queen of all NYC bargain shopping, and everything everyone says is true. You can score very big there and it's a lot of work (and fun if you're in the mood).<BR><BR> In addition to stores mentioned, I'd add Filene's Basement. It's pale ocmpared to the original Boston try-clothese-on-in-the-aisle store (with, when I was in college, a balcony accommadting male voyeurs)--but it's still okay sometimes for the kinds of thing you're looking for.<BR><BR> There's a circuit you could do that would involve Daffy's on lower Fifth Avenue, Filene's Basement on Sixth Avenue, Burlington Coat Factory right near there, and then Loehman's a block across town on Seventh Avenue. I'd have the highest expectations from Loehmanis in this circuit, but I also have a couple of good sweaters form Daffy's that I've had at least 100 years and still like,

Just returned from a trip to NYC with my daughter (18) and niece (19). We took the bus from Port Authority to Jersey Gardens as the desk clerks at the hotel (Marriott Marquis) had highly recommended this shopping trip. We were in NYC from Thursday until Monday. We went on Saturday and arrived just as it opened. Not too many people there then but it filled up after 1, but there was plenty of room and we stayed until 3. Got back to the city in time for early dinner at restaurant called Victor's and then went to see The Producers. Daughter and niece stockpiled jeans and sweaters at Old Navy that didn't cost more than $15.00 each. I loved Ann Taylor's skirts and jackets and the way her things mix and match. Spent $100.00 on three outfits! Marshall's had so many dresses and skirt suits all for under $50.00. Bought a Calvin Klein black leather belt with silver buckle there for $10.00. We bought a duffle type bag to bring it all back. So much more I could share, but don't want to drag on too long.

Thank you! The recommendations for shops at Jersey Gardens are really useful. I see that Jersey Gardens opens till 9pm Mon-Sat - I was wondering whether say 5-9pm on Monday would be a good time to choose. Any opinions?<BR><BR>I think we will probably get the $4 unlimited ride Metrocards. Thanks for the advice. The reason I wondered about the one that you "recharge" is that two people can use it, and we may not be taking that many rides every day. But it is great to be able to hop on and off buses without worrying if the card is running out.

Jersey Gardens is my favorite place to shop. If you go on a Monday (as long as it's not a holiday) it will not be crowded. On weekends, it's insane! You could easily spend a full day there. Filene's, in my opinion, is the best store there for great deals. <BR><BR>I've had it with Century 21. They only let you try on three items at a time, then you have to get back on line!! And the line can be long. And the dressing rooms have no curtains. And the crowds are unbearable. Though, once in awhile you can find something great. <BR><BR>Canal Street is also crazy, but everyone's got to see it at least once! It's almost all accessories/knockoffs...very little in the way of clothes/shoes.

Ruth, I think going to Jersey Gardens at 5:00 on a MOnday would be a mistake. It's "rush hour" and the traffic going out of Manhattan is hideous. Go earlier in the day if you can, around lunch time, and try to come back before the evening rush. Have fun.