“I never think people die. They just go to department stores.”–Andy Warhol

Generally speaking, if you’re in need of anything–be it a shiny pair of peep-toe stilettos to an eye catching coat to a sparkly party frock–you can find it at a department store.
New York has several flagships, and while they all offer the same general options, certain stores ‘do’ certain departments better than others.
Thus, The Fashion Bomb presents: The Delightful Department Store review (New York City edition):
First up is my absolute FAVORITE:

Lord & Taylor (424 5th Ave at 38th street)
*Pros: The dress selection is *sick* and the coat floor always has great options. Sign up online for their promotions, and always get at least an extra 15% off your purchases.
*Cons: Cashiers are at times stingy with the discounts if you don’t have the actual coupons (silly, because you can usually get a booklet on the 7th floor).
*Bonus: Older women know what’s up, but younger women generally don’t. This translates to a glut of Nicole Miller, French Connection, and BCBG Max Azria at good prices. I blogged about this one! Read about it here.

Next Bloomingdales (1000 3rd Ave between 59th Street and 60th Street):

*Pros: While Lord & Taylor has a great dress selection, Bloomy’s is unmatched in that department. From bridesmaid dresses to cocktail LBD’s, Bloomingdales has it all.
*Cons: Sales are too few and far between, and are typically reserved for Bloomy’s card holders.
*Directions: N, R; 4, 5, 6 to 59th St
*Bonus: Check out their other, smaller location in Soho (504 Broadway between Broome Street and Spring Street) for a more intimate vibe and a pretty good shoe sale section. Directions: N, R to Prince St; B, D, F, V to Broadway-Lafayette.

You can’t come to NYC and not visit Macys (151 W 34th St between 7th Avenue and Broadway):

*Pros: This century old mainstay has arguably the best shoe department in the city. It’s also a great place to find work clothes, and has frequent markdowns and promotions.
*Cons: The flagship store gets cruiseazy on the weekends.
*Directions: 1, 2, 3; B, D, F; N, R, Q, W to 34th St
*Bonus: Stop in their food court if you need to refuel. Stimulate your shopaholic taste buds with Starbucks, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Au Bon Pain, and more. The surrounding area is also prime shopping stomping ground. Drop into the nearby Banana Republic, Forever 21, or Victoria’s Secret.

Saks 5th Avenue on 5th Avenue (611 5th Avenue at 49th Street):

*Pros: Go to their quarterly jean sale to get those Citizens, Sevens, and True Religions you’ve been eyeing all year.
*Cons: The perfume sprayers and makeup applicators on the first floor can be overbearing.
*Directions: B, D; F, V to 47th-50th Sts-Rockefeller Ctr
*Bonus: 5th Avenue in Manhattan is a great shopping/window shopping strip. After visiting Saks, drop into Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, H&M, or Armani Exchange. Walk uptown towards Central Park and salivate over the Gucci, Dior, and Fendi window displays.

Henri Bendel (712 5th Avenue)

*Pros: The amount of ‘greeters’ at the entrance is a bit much, but I like the customer service-y feeling. They have great sales if you get the inside scoop.
*Cons: Prepare yourself for slight sticker shock.
Directions: 4, 5, 6 to 59th St.

There are a few department stores I *don’t* frequent because they either seem a.) intimidating or b.) way out of my price range. Still, it might be fun to take a dip and twirl around!
Check out Barney’s New York (660 Madison Ave at 60th Street):

*I had heard…Millionaires like Beyonce and Mary Kate Olson shop at Barney’s. Hey, the promise of celeb stalking might make your trip worth it.
*Directions:N, R, W to Fifth Ave

Last up: Bergdorf Goodman (754 Fifth Avenue between 57th and 58th Streets)

*I had heard…Bergdorf’s clothing displays are breathtaking. Visit to gaze upon the beauty of everything, but be prepared for clutch-my-pearls prices.
*Directions: F, N/R/W, 4/5/6 to 59th Street/Lexington Avenue.
Hope that was helpful:)
Smootches!

New York City bubbles at the brim with amazing shopping opportunities.
There are discount designer havens where Nanette Lepore skirts and Theory Jackets bob up on on crowded racks; Vintage Paradisos where another’s castaway turns into your treasure; large department stores where coupons and options abound; and outer borough boutiques where ‘just for me’ finds await.

I’m going to try to cover it *all* this week (yes I am). Yay-lucky-you-that-I-love-you-so-much!!!

Today, the Fashion Bomb presents Shopping NYC 1: Discount Designer Dens.
Your first stop for marked down labels should be Century 21 (22 Cortlandt Street between Church and Broadway).

*Pros: Century 21 carries top of the line brands like Gucci and Pucci for 50%-75% off retail . I bought this Emilio Pucci cutesie bathing suit at Century 21…

…for about $70. Pucci suits retail for $430 at Bergdorf Goodman. Riiight.
*Cons: The crowds are *insane* on the weekend, and expect to wait super long for the ‘open forum’ ‘no door’ dressing rooms. Dedicate a day to just going there and sifting through the what nots.
*Directions: A, C, E to Chambers St; N, R to Cortlandt St. Visit their website here for more details.
*PS Wear comfortable shoes and cute undies!!

Next stop:

Loehmann’s (101 7th Avenue between 16th and 17th).
*Pros: The 3rd floor is chock full of designer dresses (Diane Von Furstenberg, Vera Wang, and BCBG Max Azria), and the 4th floor carries brands like Theory, Walter, and Marc Jacobs.
*Cons: Brutal crowd territory as well (especially on Saturdays), open dressing rooms, and a ’shoot me now’ shoe and bag section.
*Directions: 1, 9, 2, 3, to 14th St; L to 7th Ave. Visit their website here for more details.
*Bonus: I found a few good finds at Loehmann’s that I recorded in one of my first entries! Read about it here. Ah, memories.

Filene’s Basement (620 Avenue of the Americas between 18th and 19th)

TJ Maxx (620 Avenue of the Americas between 18th and 19th)

and Burlington Coat Factory (116 West 23rd Street on 6th Avenue)

are all in the same area as Loehmann’s, so you might as well check ‘em out.
*Pros: Deep price cuts on coats, cashmere, and home stuff.
*Cons: You’re lucky if you find Miss Sixty in there! I’ve generally been underwhelmed with the big name selections.
*Directions: F, V to 14th or 23rd streets. L to 14th Street. 1,9,2,3 to 14th street.

Last designer haven:

DSW for cute shoes at a discount.
*Pros: Plenty of Nicole Miller, Stuart Weitzman, and Charles David for less than retail.
*Cons: Is it just me, or do the shoes err on the small side? It’s pretty hit or miss, but with frequent visits you can unearth a diamond.
*Directions: Visit their website here for a DSW location near you.

There are a few more discount designer havens that I haven’t been to *yet*:

Daffy’s

Hmm..why haven’t I been to Daffy’s. It just doesn’t seem that hip from the outside.
*Pros: My friend’s boyfriend goes to Daffy’s frequently and apparently finds great work clothes and what nots. They advertise big names like Prada for ‘next to Nada.’
*Cons: I read a review of Daffy’s at the Budget Fashionista’s website here. Dirt Stains? Junk Damaged?? Ewwwww.
*Directions: Find a Daffy’s location near you by going here.

And lastly, Gabay’s (225 1st Ave Between 13th Street and 14th Street).

I’ve been meaning to go there forever, but 14th and 1st avenue seems so far away!
*Pros: My shopaholic friend said the following, “[Gabay's] had Chloe and Mulberry bags, and Prada shoes for $150. I also saw Manolo Blahnik, Marc Jacobs, and Jimmy Choo. I saw a lot of high-end designers you would find at Bergdorf’s, Saks and Neiman Marcus for a fraction of their prices. Still way out of my price range, but a jewel for the lucky gals who can afford it!”
*Cons: None that I know of…anyone have a review?
*Directions: 4, 5, 6; L; N, R to 14th Street.

I think that does it for discount designer havens in NYC. If I left anything out, let a sista know!
Stay tuned tomorrow for vintage paradisos…
Smootches!
Sales, Sales:
*Everything is on sale today. Everything. Hit the pavement and gets ta shopping.