Send me dress shopping in NYC
March 28, 2012 12:00 PM Subscribe
Dress shopping in NYC: if I only want to spend $40-$100 on dresses, where should I be shopping in Manhattan and Brooklyn?
I am an online shopaholic, but luckily my addiction hasn't left me bankrupt because I send back about 85% of what I purchase online once I try it on in person. This is all sort of silly, because I live in New York and should just go to the millions of independent stores where I can actually try things on. I just don't know where to begin!
A store like Pop in Williamsburg is ideal because they have a lot of different price ranges and brands. I am fully aware of big box stores like H&M, Madewell, J Crew, Zara, French Connection, Club Monaco, etc. I dislike most vintage stores except for Beacon's Closet, as I'm usually not in the mood to dig through a million musty clothes.
My tastes skew girly, and I'd like to not spend more than $100/per dress, though if it's divine I'll spend more. I'd rather be caught dead than in anything slinky, clubby, leopard print-y, or one-sleeved.
Where should I be shopping?
I am an online shopaholic, but luckily my addiction hasn't left me bankrupt because I send back about 85% of what I purchase online once I try it on in person. This is all sort of silly, because I live in New York and should just go to the millions of independent stores where I can actually try things on. I just don't know where to begin!
A store like Pop in Williamsburg is ideal because they have a lot of different price ranges and brands. I am fully aware of big box stores like H&M, Madewell, J Crew, Zara, French Connection, Club Monaco, etc. I dislike most vintage stores except for Beacon's Closet, as I'm usually not in the mood to dig through a million musty clothes.
My tastes skew girly, and I'd like to not spend more than $100/per dress, though if it's divine I'll spend more. I'd rather be caught dead than in anything slinky, clubby, leopard print-y, or one-sleeved.
Where should I be shopping?
Well, you left TJ Maxx and Daffy's off the list of stores you are fully aware of, so I'm reminding you. Both have big dress selections. Daffy's has a well-edited crop of American and Italian mid-range labels around $50.
posted by thinkpiece at 12:05 PM on March 28, 2012
posted by thinkpiece at 12:05 PM on March 28, 2012
Response by poster: I'm also aware of main shopping drags, but I'm seeking specific stores recommendations.
posted by zoomorphic at 12:05 PM on March 28, 2012
posted by zoomorphic at 12:05 PM on March 28, 2012
And how could I forget Loehmann's and Century 21?
posted by thinkpiece at 12:06 PM on March 28, 2012
posted by thinkpiece at 12:06 PM on March 28, 2012
Response by poster: Sorry to threadsit, I'll back out after this! Big box stores are fine (I forgot about TJ Maxx!), but I'd rather find get some suggestions for smaller independent stores.
posted by zoomorphic at 12:13 PM on March 28, 2012
posted by zoomorphic at 12:13 PM on March 28, 2012
Best answer: I'm a big fan of Apt 141 near Union Square. They carried lots of cute dresses in a range of prices from some great designers, including my personal favorite, Trashy Diva.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 12:19 PM on March 28, 2012
posted by Narrative Priorities at 12:19 PM on March 28, 2012
Best answer: Teddy, Goldy and Mac, and Lily on Court.
posted by sweetkid at 12:20 PM on March 28, 2012
posted by sweetkid at 12:20 PM on March 28, 2012
Best answer: Ooh I have a suggestion for you! Fanaberie in Greenpoint. This is my favorite clothing store in all of Brooklyn. Everything is well priced (dresses are always under $100, and usually closer to $50) and new stuff comes in constantly. And the two ladies who own it are so sweet. The dresses tend to skew a little short but I've bought some longer dresses there too. They've been featured in Lucky magazine a few times. I promise, I don't work there. I just really like it.
posted by silverstatue at 12:23 PM on March 28, 2012
posted by silverstatue at 12:23 PM on March 28, 2012
Ooh I have a suggestion for you! Fanaberie in Greenpoint.
I LOVE!!
posted by sweetkid at 12:39 PM on March 28, 2012
Sales rack at Anthropologie has done wonders for me. Not an indie but not as large a chain.
posted by mlle valentine at 1:11 PM on March 28, 2012
posted by mlle valentine at 1:11 PM on March 28, 2012
Nthing Loehman's. They used to razor out labels before stuff was put on the rack.
posted by brujita at 2:38 PM on March 28, 2012
posted by brujita at 2:38 PM on March 28, 2012
Best answer: I really adore Flirt on 5th Ave in Park Slope! They generally carry a good selection of dresses under a 100 bucks. Every time I've gone in, the folks there have been really great at helping me zero in on what I was looking for.
Also, I really like Pony on 5th Ave as well. It is second-hand, but not in the vein of Beacon's Closet. I believe the owners seek out the clothes to buy, and while it can be hit or miss, if you are in the neighborhood, it's worth checking out. Again, really helpful salespeople as well.
posted by carmenghia at 3:56 PM on March 28, 2012
Also, I really like Pony on 5th Ave as well. It is second-hand, but not in the vein of Beacon's Closet. I believe the owners seek out the clothes to buy, and while it can be hit or miss, if you are in the neighborhood, it's worth checking out. Again, really helpful salespeople as well.
posted by carmenghia at 3:56 PM on March 28, 2012
Best answer: Fine, you can have my secret place: Cloth.
It's on the higher end of your budget but sometimes they have sales, and the dresses I have from there never go out of style and are really well-made.
ALso in the area, Redberi and it's sister in DUMBO, Blueberi.
Alchemy on Bergen and 6th, La Vedette on 5th and Bergen, Diana Kane on 5th and Pres, LF on Court and Warren.
Agree with Pony, Teddy, Goldy and Mac, Lily.
In the city, all the Ina and Housing Works stores.
posted by rmless at 11:03 AM on March 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
It's on the higher end of your budget but sometimes they have sales, and the dresses I have from there never go out of style and are really well-made.
ALso in the area, Redberi and it's sister in DUMBO, Blueberi.
Alchemy on Bergen and 6th, La Vedette on 5th and Bergen, Diana Kane on 5th and Pres, LF on Court and Warren.
Agree with Pony, Teddy, Goldy and Mac, Lily.
In the city, all the Ina and Housing Works stores.
posted by rmless at 11:03 AM on March 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sweetkid at 12:04 PM on March 28, 2012