<p>My step-D is getting married this fall and I’m looking for a evening dress. I’ll be in Manhattan next week and I thought I’d take the chance to look while there.</p>
<p>Other than the usual department stores - Saks, Bloomingdales - where should I look? </p>
<p>You’ll get very mixed opinions about this one. Some love, some hate</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.rkbridal.com/about-rk/”>http://www.rkbridal.com/about-rk/</a></p>
<p>Personally, I find Lord & Taylor the best of the department stores for this sort of thing. </p>
<p>I have had very good luck at Saks. </p>
<p>Not in Manhattan but not too far (20-30 minutes by car after rush hour.)</p>
<p>Very expensive. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/Westchester-Resources/Shopping/index.php/name/Mary-Jane-Denzer/listing/26625/”>http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/Westchester-Resources/Shopping/index.php/name/Mary-Jane-Denzer/listing/26625/</a></p>
<p>I just purchased an evening gown from St. John. I also purchased a cocktail dress for my son’s wedding at Saks. Bergdorf Goodman (NYC"s) Neiman Marcus has lovely dresses. In NYC black is always good. I found evening shoes at Saks…kitten heel…Jimmy Choo…KITTEN HEEL so I can walk. </p>
<p>I am no expert on this topic, but my sister found the most amazing dress at Bergdorf…</p>
<p>Macy’s 34th street has options for all budgets. If you can spend a bit more ($250+) Spring St and Prince St in Soho have some amazing boutiques that you could check out. What is your budget?</p>
<p>I am a Bergdorf fan as well. Nice shopping experience as well. Lunch on the 7th floor is a nice way to start or end the shopping day.</p>
<p>I am not a L&T fan outside of NYC, but they do have very good dress selections in NYC. They also have a very good shoe department. If you want to spend more, BG is an excellent choice. </p>
<p>My friend wore a St. John evening gown to her D’s wedding. She actually bought 2 St. John gowns, just in case one of her guests wore the same gown, she could change into the other one.</p>
<p>Lord and Taylor is my go to for special event dresses. They have a huge selection…and when L and T has a sale, the prices are excellent. </p>
<p>I can’t stand shopping at Macy’s. It is THE most unorganized department store on the planet. And their sale merchandise is even MORE unorganized. </p>
<p>“I can’t stand shopping at Macy’s. It is THE most unorganized department store on the planet. And their sale merchandise is even MORE unorganized.”</p>
<p>OMG, thumper! So true! I just came back from a better Macy’s… Not a happy shopper. Compared to Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack is the epitome of a well organized store! :D</p>
<p>OK, back to the topic of the thread… Sorry, can’t help you here, OP! Just want to add that those kitten heel JC shoes suggested by bevhills are amazing. I would go to the stores that do not have a b&m in my area (Bloomies, BG, L&T) first.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! The budget is flexible. Of course I’d like to save $$ but to find a dress I like (I’m short, fluffy, and need long sleeves!) I’m willing to raid the piggy bank! I’ll check out L&T (Glad to hear the 5th Ave. store is still nice - I used to love that store as a teenager but their mall stores are pretty bad) and Bergdorfs (I’ve window shopped there in the past!)</p>
<p>And yes, low or kitten heels are a must! At other step-D’s wedding, I changed into flats for the reception. Best move I ever made!!</p>
<p>Thanks again!!</p>
<p>" (Glad to hear the 5th Ave. store is still nice - I used to love that store as a teenager but their mall stores are pretty bad) and Bergdorfs (I’ve window shopped there in the past!)"</p>
<p>Our L&T closed a few years ago. It was awful. Every thing was matronly, imo. Now, they are opening a new store here and I’ve heard it is going to much more like the L&T in NYC. </p>
<p>Macy’s is terrible. </p>
<p>As for Bergdorf’s - I have been boycotting them since the 70’s when I went one day to buy a pair of black pumps for work, dressed in jeans, sneaks and a sweater (I was in my early 20’s.) I was completely ignored because apparently I wasn’t dressed properly to warrant snooty salesladies attention. I was so mad that when I finally got some helped, I bought an extremely expensive pair ($250ish which at the time was almost unheard of) that I really couldn’t afford. Not only were they expensive, they were ugly and killed my feet. </p>
<p>emilybee…I had something like that happen to me when dinosaurs ruled the earth. I was brought up at Saks…I had a salesperson in a few departments. So one day I went to the big girl floor. I was ignored.</p>
<p>After 10 minutes of waiting patiently (no one even said hello) I went behind the cash register and picked up the phone. Called the store manager’s office. I started out with I am a customer. No one will say hello to me. I am Mrs. Ellebud (I was a 25 year old married lady) and this is my credit card. I am now leaving." </p>
<p>Let us just say the manager had people waiting for me at the doors. I’m sure you know the end.</p>
<p>I lucked out with a dress at Macys recently, but agree, it was chaos. Nordstroms was much calmer, and has a petite section.</p>
<p>I found that many of the stores had a much better selection online than in the stores (esp. in 16-18). I ordered a bunch online and then returned things as I narrowed down my options.</p>
<p>OP, I would avoid the NYC Bloomingdales as well Equally as chaotic as the NYC Macys.</p>
<p>The less ventured parts of macys (the more expensive sections) tend to be rather neat. They also have several high end stores within Macy’s that are heavily guarded. But OP, you can just go to 5th ave and start walking from Central Park south to downtown. You will find tons of stuff. Or, check out Madison Ave on the Upper East Side. I have fallen in love with Halston Heritage. Little pricey, but beautiful clothing.</p>
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<p>I work fairly close to Neiman Marcus’ flagship store. I feel exactly the same way about them. They SO ignored me when I was younger, even in my lawyer clothes. Sometimes I’ll go to lunch there with a friend, then she will want to shop a bit. Now, finally, I guess I somehow qualify for their attention, but I refuse to buy anything there (except lunch at the Zodiac Room.)</p>
<p>“I would avoid the NYC Bloomingdales as well Equally as chaotic as the NYC Macys.”</p>
<p>I cannot stand the NYC Bloomies for just that reason. It’s been like that forever, too. That is why I like Saks (once you wend your way through the crowd of people and the perfume sprayers to the elevators.) </p>