<p>mousegray, that list is so helpful! I just copied and pasted it so I can print it out and bring it with us when we go to nyc in August. Since we’ll only be there a few days, this will help so much!</p>
<p>mousegray, That was very sweet of you to write a recap of the areas and stores!</p>
<p>It’s funny but even though I live in rural Vermont, I know each area you referred to. I guess my many trips to NYC these past four years with D living there has me somewhat attuned to the city. And she has lived in several of those locations too (Union Square, Nolita, Williamsburg).</p>
<p>OK, who am I to recommend shopping in NYC? LOL But for missypie…not sure if your girls are into it but my younger one wears yoga clothing a lot (she not only goes to yoga but wore that type of clothing in her acting classes and such). Anyway, she got very excited when a shop opened in Union Square that is pricey yoga clothing and my mom gave her birthday money to go there and get some stuff (unfortunately my mom went into the hospital on D’s birthday and suddenly died soon after). So, I was in NYC last winter and went with my D. Definitely very nice yoga type clothing but pricey. She loved it. It is called Lululemon. It is a few shops away from American Eagle. It is caddy corner to Forever21 and DSW and there is also Sephora in that square.</p>
<p>soozievt - your D can try Mandee’s where she might be able to find a cocktail dress for about $50.</p>
<p>LIMom…thanks for trying to help!</p>
<p>I have not heard of Mandee but just checked out the site. That really is not the kind of thing she needs. I also want her to get something a bit better than that. That stuff reminds me more of Forever21 and such. She pretty much doesn’t shop in places like that anymore and also has plenty of trendy dresses and such already. This has to be a bit more grown up than the look on that site and just a better dress as she is performing in a major theater and has to look appropriate.</p>
<p>sooz
D who needs dressier/better clothes now has taken to Black Market/white with gusto.she claims she could buy a hundred things at once there.I just peeked at their website and theres great dressier dresses in the 150$ range.really cute! She also uses the Limited for upscale everyday needs (as a T.A./ PhD student she wants to dress a level above the college kids)</p>
<p>to the O.P.
I havent read through the pages but when out of town college age girls visit here they love combing through Chinatown for bargains which can be combined with a fun lunch or dinner stop</p>
<p>Susan, my D, who has had to get dressy dresses for events similar to your D’s event, has had the best luck at Betsey Johnson, Bloomingdale’s and she got a great dress at Anthropologie. I would not recommend Strawberry as much of what is usually there is very cheaply made and looks it, or Century 21 because the time and aggravation it takes to find the few decent pieces there, are simply not worth it. Betsey Johnson and Bloomingdale’s often have just what you’re looking for, and even at the right price. My D, like yours, is not a label-conscious or frequent shopper, so she’s appreciated the fact that she has been able to get what she needs without too much travelling around the city. She’s definitely going to need a dress like this for many occasions, trust me, so finding one that is well-made and is going to last is worth it.</p>
<p>cathymee…I looked at Black Market / White Market online and maybe it is just what is online but I just didn’t notice anything that would appeal to my daughter. </p>
<p>AlwaysAMom, I meant to ask you as I figured you would know both because of your D in NYC but also you know the purpose of the dress. Back in the winter when I wanted her to get such a dress for her showcase that was in March, I found a couple of ideal ones at Anthropologie in fact and sent her the links and she OK’d them and I called the store that is close to Union Square and they were in stock but D never made it over there as she was booked solid (though she could have gone there for 45 min. in my opinion!) and now those dresses are no longer on the site. At the time, I did see a couple at Bloomingdales and Lord and Taylor online too and thought she might go there but she had such a limited time that time and never made it to those stores and I thought there were just one or two possible dresses given what I saw online. But I think people here are saying that Lord and Taylor (maybe Bloomies too?) have more stock at the NYC store than what I am seeing online and if that is the case, I think those may be where to go. She did not like Macy’s. She hasn’t yet looked this time but in my opinion, she needs to get it and she has more flexible time now than during the school year. </p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone. And yes, alwaysamom, I don’t want it to be a cheap dress. She has plenty of inexpensive dresses but needs something a step up from her usual and should be able to use it lots in the future and it is not just for this one thing. As a performer, there are many times that a nicer dress is needed. Sometimes, her funkier or trendier stuff is appropriate, but sometimes a more “proper” yet stylish dressy dress is called for and this is one of those times. She likely would die if she knew I was talking about this but I feel she could use direction when her time is limited to look in stores that have what she is looking for. I’ve seen plenty of her friends in such attire and think she should also ask them where they shop. I personally think she should be able to find something for about $200, at least based on my online perusal.</p>
<p>SVt–Once again, try [Evening</a> dresses, cocktail, prom dresses, gowns by eDressMe](<a href=“http://www.edressme.com%5DEvening”>http://www.edressme.com). I really think it has what she wants…and there’s a store where she could pick it up.</p>
<p>soozie, may be she should check Cache?</p>
<p>[Cach:</a> Evening Dresses](<a href=“http://www.cache.com/cache/control/category/~category_id=0120/~VIEW_SIZE=52/~VIEW_INDEX=1/~priceRange=]Cach:”>http://www.cache.com/cache/control/category/~category_id=0120/~VIEW_SIZE=52/~VIEW_INDEX=1/~priceRange=)</p>
<p>Jonri, I had looked at edress me but thought it was all orders. There is a retail store? or you you place an order and pick it up there instead? </p>
<p>BunsenBurner, I actually know about Cache. They used to have a store in VT but it closed. Back in the winter when she needed a dress like this and never bought one and wore an old dress she had which wasn’t as dressy, I had seen two dresses on Cache’s site and sent her the links and she liked them. So, she went up to that shop (the ONE afternoon she spent finding a dress) and those two dresses were not in the shop in NYC and the rest were not her style. At the time, I had looked at many sites and sent her links (my girls often like me to do this to save them time and then we order something but with this D, now that she lives where it is hard to get a package, she didn’t want to order but tried to go in person to the stores). Problem is…what is online may not be what is at the store. I see a few dresses at Lord and Taylor and a few at Bloomies online that may be her taste (or I think they’d be good!) but who knows if this is what is at the stores in NYC but maybe she should try those two stores. It is just with limited time, it is better if she goes to certain stores that may work rather than going all over the city in a less focused fashion because I don’t see her as devoting much time to this. :)</p>
<p>As I said in the original message…there is a “live” store as well. It’s a small store and I don’t think they have everything they have on-line in all sizes, but it’s worth looking, I think. It’s mostly dressy things for young people. Some sky high price wise, some not so high. If there was something on-line she liked, I think they’d be willing to hold it at store for pick-up, but I’ve never asked.</p>
<p>The address is at the bottom of the first page when you click the website.</p>
<p>jonri, OK, I get it better now. I got confused as the site has so many dresses that I thought it was just for online ordering, but you’re saying that their retail store has stock too. So, that is a possibility, thanks. </p>
<p>It is not like she has even talked to me about this…LOL…but I just know she is gonna have to do this soon.</p>
<p>Another thought – how about Pearl River Mart downtown in Soho? They have lots of neat things although limited re: clothes except for some traditional Chinese outfits – but lots of stuff for your room, apartment, etc. Google them.</p>
<p>Resurrecting this thread -
If weather holds up, will take D1 (14) into NYC tomorrow. We are on a budget, but will window shop and try to have lunch somewhere. She has very alternative tastes-- would probably like vintage clothes, fun thrift stores and the like. I liked BigAppleDad’s suggestions for her kind of taste (East Village, lower Broadway). Anything else in the area we might try for?</p>
<p>Also - on a completely different topic- does anyone remember a store back in the late 70’s called Azuma? It had all kinds of stuff for the home. I remember going a couple times as a kid, and thought it was the height of coolness, if that’s even a real term…</p>
<p>lspf72, Williamsburg sounds like just the neighborhood for your D. It’s a quick trip from the Union Sq. area on the L train (get off at Bedford Ave). There are a lot of vintage stores there, but you could start with Beacon’s Closet, which is one of the biggest.</p>
<p>I think I remember Azuma… You might like Muji. There are three locations in NYC (google it).</p>
<p>Decided to check this thread ONE last time before bed–
Thanks, mousegray!</p>
<p>My 16 yo daughter loves to shop in NY. Her two favorites are Century 21 (though the Morristown, NJ store is actually better for designer jeans) and H&M in midtown – an extraordinary store. How about vintage clothing stores? Since residential space is quite limited, people discard perfectly wonderful stuff. [When we used to live in SoHo, my wife was always finding amazing stuff that people had discarded].</p>
<p>We have both H & M and Forever 21 where we live, but D says the selection is much better in NYC. Also, the Macys on 34th street is huge, as I recall (from a month ago) there is an entire floor (or close to it) of clothing for juniors and they have great sales.</p>
<p>Our trip is over - my credit card was about to explode but it was a fun trip. Here’s what my Ds thought:</p>
<p>They most loved the boutiques in Nolita. We were brave enough to go into the tiny stores. Many times they were way above our price range, but sometimes they weren’t. Lots were having “30% off everything” sales or had deep markdowns on some items.</p>
<p>They also liked the more mainstream stores on Broadway in SoHo. Top Shop was a hoot - lots of cute stuff, but then lots of 80s and wild stuff like sequined booty shorts, highlighter green leggings, etc.</p>
<p>Century 21 was a big hit again. You’ve just got to have an open mind when you go there…last time we found lots of purses and few clothes; this time was the opposite.</p>
<p>Just FYI, the Mexx that was next door to H&M on 5th Avenue is no longer there - replaced by Juicy Couture.</p>
<p>Strawberry was okay. They walked straight in and out of Daffy and Conroy (or is it Conway?)</p>
<p>They also detested Macy’s. They just aren’t department store shoppers. </p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for the great tips.</p>