NYC Shopping filter: Mom Visiting from out-of-town
November 30, 2019 11:16 AM Subscribe
My mom (Late 50s, Midwestern, Lovely) is visiting me in NYC next week and has requested a shopping expedition for a chic, not-too formal dress that she can wear to dress-up type events like an upcoming new year's eve party or she has or when she goes to Chicago for a play and a nice dinner.
Not mother of the bride, not office wear, just something that looks great but is also easy and tasteful.
She's probably a size 10-12 and my first instinct of white house/black market doesn't work for her because their stuff doesn't fit her broad shoulders.
Anything else come to mind, sweet metafilter? We are not trying to spend all day shopping, more like a half day or less tour.
I was thinking about the new nordstroms, but Saks is probably too spendy for her sensibilities. Totally into stuff like Marshall's or TJ Maxx, but are any of the NYC outposts of that type of store better or worse than others?
Manhattan preferred, Small business would be GREAT, but all ears to any suggestions
She's probably a size 10-12 and my first instinct of white house/black market doesn't work for her because their stuff doesn't fit her broad shoulders.
Anything else come to mind, sweet metafilter? We are not trying to spend all day shopping, more like a half day or less tour.
I was thinking about the new nordstroms, but Saks is probably too spendy for her sensibilities. Totally into stuff like Marshall's or TJ Maxx, but are any of the NYC outposts of that type of store better or worse than others?
Manhattan preferred, Small business would be GREAT, but all ears to any suggestions
Nordstrom Rack! Cheaper than Nordstrom's, so closer to your price point, but with a really excellent selection. I've found some very wonderful weirdo one-offs that I assume just didn't sell somewhere else, or there's the more usual labels. Also amazing deals -- I have a DVF wrap dress that I got for $500 off because of some slight damage that is not even visible.
FWIW, I'm a 12, 14 or 16 depending on label and fit, with quite broad shoulders, and I can always find at least something that works for me, because there are so many brands.
(I am also just assuming that there's a Nordstrom Rack in Manhattan...)
posted by kalimac at 12:06 PM on November 30, 2019
FWIW, I'm a 12, 14 or 16 depending on label and fit, with quite broad shoulders, and I can always find at least something that works for me, because there are so many brands.
(I am also just assuming that there's a Nordstrom Rack in Manhattan...)
posted by kalimac at 12:06 PM on November 30, 2019
Do you know the brand Boden? I usually shop them online but it looks like they also sell through Nordstrom. You could use their store locator to see if your local carries the brand. I find Boden’s dressier clothes (velvet wrap dresses, silk blouses) to be a perfect mix of easy and special, and the cuts are pretty forgiving.
posted by stellaluna at 12:21 PM on November 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by stellaluna at 12:21 PM on November 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
There is a Nordstrom Rack in the City, on Union Square.
I would actually try Bloomingdale's. A lot of the stuff is stupidly expensive, but if you try the right boutiques, you can definitely find reasonably priced stuff. I shop there all the time, and believe me, I'm not buying high-end stuff.
posted by holborne at 12:21 PM on November 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
I would actually try Bloomingdale's. A lot of the stuff is stupidly expensive, but if you try the right boutiques, you can definitely find reasonably priced stuff. I shop there all the time, and believe me, I'm not buying high-end stuff.
posted by holborne at 12:21 PM on November 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
There are multiple Nordstrom Racks in Manhattan! The aforementioned Rack on 14th Street is conveniently close to the Holiday Market, where she might find some neat accessories from small vendors.
Or, you could take her to the Herald Square Macy's for the classic tourist experience -- including the holiday window displays! -- and then stop by the nearby Rack if she doesn't find something she likes at Macy's.
If you're both up for it, another option might be a wander down 5th Avenue for some window-shopping -- again, festive window displays! And Bergdorf Goodman might be worth a stop if they're having any sales (pretty pricey, though). Lord and Taylor would have been good for this, but alas, they are no more.
posted by halation at 12:26 PM on November 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
Or, you could take her to the Herald Square Macy's for the classic tourist experience -- including the holiday window displays! -- and then stop by the nearby Rack if she doesn't find something she likes at Macy's.
If you're both up for it, another option might be a wander down 5th Avenue for some window-shopping -- again, festive window displays! And Bergdorf Goodman might be worth a stop if they're having any sales (pretty pricey, though). Lord and Taylor would have been good for this, but alas, they are no more.
posted by halation at 12:26 PM on November 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
100% Nordstroms. Nowadays The Rack is mostly cheap low quality lines made for that store's discount market, not nice stuff on sale. It's not well priced for what it is anymore. Go to regular Nordstroms first, for broad shouldered people try the instore Ralph Lauren if they still have it. If that doesn't work try Macy's maybe although you'll get much nicer quality stuff at Saks or Bergdorf Goodman for not that much more. Then check out some mid-priced boutiques that cater to her age group.
Remember a lot of mass produced cheaper event dresses are made to be worn once. They cannot successfully be laundered or maintained, the fabrics are synthetic and fragile and the stitching and finish is super low quality. The higher end stuff will last years. I have a silk Ralph Lauren dress that is 10 years old and in perfect condition. It gets worn 5-7 times a year.
Marshalls and some of the older Nordstram Racks can be great for sale but it can take forever to find something good and you might only save $50-75 in the end.
posted by fshgrl at 2:44 PM on November 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
Remember a lot of mass produced cheaper event dresses are made to be worn once. They cannot successfully be laundered or maintained, the fabrics are synthetic and fragile and the stitching and finish is super low quality. The higher end stuff will last years. I have a silk Ralph Lauren dress that is 10 years old and in perfect condition. It gets worn 5-7 times a year.
Marshalls and some of the older Nordstram Racks can be great for sale but it can take forever to find something good and you might only save $50-75 in the end.
posted by fshgrl at 2:44 PM on November 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
Century 21 is annoying because their sizing is really limited. If she needs a 10-12 she'll find pretty slim pickings -- those get picked over fastest since they also don't stock larger sizes.
TJ's and Marshall's in the city are pretty miserable and not an enjoyable shopping experience. They are messy, chaotic, crowded and unpredictable. I've also noticed they rarely have many dresses - mostly separates. I would avoid.
Macy's Herald Square is a great suggestion. There will be stuff in a reasonable price range, but also lots of pricier stuff to ooh and ah over, try on, and then leave behind after the fun. Their selection is huuuuuge and it's just such a classic, fun, cinematic NYC shopping destination. You can eat at one of the cafes if you want to get the full vibe. If it were my mom that's what I'd do.
posted by Miko at 4:31 PM on November 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
TJ's and Marshall's in the city are pretty miserable and not an enjoyable shopping experience. They are messy, chaotic, crowded and unpredictable. I've also noticed they rarely have many dresses - mostly separates. I would avoid.
Macy's Herald Square is a great suggestion. There will be stuff in a reasonable price range, but also lots of pricier stuff to ooh and ah over, try on, and then leave behind after the fun. Their selection is huuuuuge and it's just such a classic, fun, cinematic NYC shopping destination. You can eat at one of the cafes if you want to get the full vibe. If it were my mom that's what I'd do.
posted by Miko at 4:31 PM on November 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
What's nice about Nordstrom's (or Bloomingdales for that matter) is you can arrange for a session with their personal shopper, give them a budget and you can sit and have them bring options for her to try on. I think Macy's may also have this service.
This is also the perfect description of the sort of clothing Eileen Fisher sells, but it might be outside your price range.
I'd also think about going to one of the high-end consignment shops on Madison avenue - Michaels is a standby.
posted by Mchelly at 1:05 PM on December 1, 2019
This is also the perfect description of the sort of clothing Eileen Fisher sells, but it might be outside your price range.
I'd also think about going to one of the high-end consignment shops on Madison avenue - Michaels is a standby.
posted by Mchelly at 1:05 PM on December 1, 2019
I'd do Bloomingdale's over Nordstroms. The new Nordstroms has a pretty meh selection compared to what you will find at Bloomindale's and right now the stores have big sales so you can get some good deals. I would not do Nordstrom Rack for reasons listed above, most "discount" stores sell stuff that is cheaply-made just for the store these days and are not great deals. Century 21 is also kind of a fun choice if you're really interested in bargain hunting but the size issue might be a problem. I'd do Bergdorf and Saks over Nordstrom's too, for that matter, the new store is distinctly underwhelming.
If you have time you might enjoy wandering around Soho a little bit and seeing if you can find something more unique than a department store, but that is definitely hit and miss depending on the prices of stores.
posted by ch1x0r at 3:44 PM on December 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
If you have time you might enjoy wandering around Soho a little bit and seeing if you can find something more unique than a department store, but that is definitely hit and miss depending on the prices of stores.
posted by ch1x0r at 3:44 PM on December 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'm early 50's (broad-shouldered but a size 4 or 6) and from Chicago and I'd suggest COS for chic and easy. I don't know about Macy's in New York, but Macy's in Chicago is very dowdy. I'd definitely prioritize Bloomingdale's or Nordstrom over Macy's unless it's quite different in NYC.
posted by crush at 7:54 PM on December 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by crush at 7:54 PM on December 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
Macy's here has all the dowdy stuff that Macy's across the US has, but also has a lot more in the way of higher-end quality and design, and a much bigger selection (8 floors, about 4 of them women's fashion) than anywhere else. It's a completely different scale and scope - it's the flagship store. What I like about it is that you get that full range of style, price, and quality. At the holidays they bring in a tremendous array of dresses, costing up into the thousands.
I think Bloomingdale's is another good classic selection. But sticker shock is going to play a role, and Macy's is a great backup option without dropping back to everyday discount chains.
posted by Miko at 6:09 AM on December 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
I think Bloomingdale's is another good classic selection. But sticker shock is going to play a role, and Macy's is a great backup option without dropping back to everyday discount chains.
posted by Miko at 6:09 AM on December 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'd do Bloomingdale's or Macy's, and I'd choose based on what's good for your plan the rest of the day. They both have their quirks and both will be crowded, but they have a vast selection.
The other place I'd consider is MM LaFleur, which will provide a very different experience from the big department store. A bit on the expensive side but with a wide variety of really beautifully tailored dresses. To shop there, you must make an appointment with a stylist (I think you can do it online or by phone) and they pull things for you based on your requirements, which makes for a very relaxed shopping experience. The only downside is that you generally don't leave the store with the clothes you buy--the ship it to your home. But since your mom is from out of town, this might not be such a downside after all! Have fun!
posted by CiaoMela at 7:45 AM on December 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
The other place I'd consider is MM LaFleur, which will provide a very different experience from the big department store. A bit on the expensive side but with a wide variety of really beautifully tailored dresses. To shop there, you must make an appointment with a stylist (I think you can do it online or by phone) and they pull things for you based on your requirements, which makes for a very relaxed shopping experience. The only downside is that you generally don't leave the store with the clothes you buy--the ship it to your home. But since your mom is from out of town, this might not be such a downside after all! Have fun!
posted by CiaoMela at 7:45 AM on December 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
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posted by stray at 12:00 PM on November 30, 2019 [3 favorites]