Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with newyorkcity and shopping

Where can I buy beard care products in New York?

235w103 — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:54:58 -0800

Where can I buy beard care products in New York City? I'm growing a winter beard, and would like to get some beard care products, as seen on this site. But I hate online shopping (I'm an instant gratification guy) and was hoping I could just swing by some store in the New York City area and pick up some stuff. Do any hairy New Yorkers have a good source for beard conditioners, etc?

Where in NYC can I buy an HP 12C Platinum calculator, today?

xiaolongbao — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:24:21 -0800

CFAfilter: Where in NYC to buy HP 12C Platinum, today? It's gotta be today. Need to start using it ASAP. It's just going to be a back-up for my BA II Plus Pro, but I want to program some functions as well. There must be some way it'll do the geo mean, I mean, really, TI, really? Sorry, anyone taking the CFA might be able to relate here, for the rest of you it's just crazy ol' me anyway.

I'm overnighting it via Amazon (could cancel that prior to preparing shipment if someone can [virtually] guarantee me I can get it at X store today sooooon =), but would like to have in hand today and will figure out returns later. I've done a search of Best Buy(no), CompUsa (no), B&H (no), Staples(no), not sure on J&R, any other suggestions, have I missed anything? I'll be callin' before I head out. I only want the Platinum.

So, Metafilter, start me on my quest for calculator. Where can I buy this computational beast in midtown, bklyn, queens -- maybe even jerz? Have bike, have raincoat, will travel. But there's still studying to be done, so it's a race against time :o)

Thanks in advance. And GL to anyone taking any level this Sat, June 6. *Fist pump*

Baby and bike boutiques in the Big Apple

fijiwriter — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:11:04 -0800

Headed to New York City, and looking for toddler-geared stores and bike shops. The lovely Mrs. Writer and I are headed back to NYC for our wedding anniversary, and we need guidance on your favorite stores.

We need help finding:

1. Baby/toddler stores in Midtown, Theater, SoHo, Upper West Side, especially clothing. Nothing along the lines of a $90 couture Tshirt, but something unique that we couldn't order online. Something touristy could even count, like a small I (heart) NY shirt for our little 2-year-old girl.

2. I'd like to find a nice bike store to kill some time and support them with a purchase of a store jersey. Ideally, an LBS geared more toward road and pro cycling, if that exists in the city.

Cute and classy lingerie online or in NYC?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:41:45 -0800

Ruffly panties online, or in NYC? i.e. cute, classy panties/bras/corsets/etc that won't break the bank. Victoria's Secret falls apart pretty fast, in my experience. Looking for something a step up, but not ridiculously expensive or (on the other hand) trashy. At the very least, how much should I be looking to spend on such a thing? No stretch lace, or "crotch-free," or no neon pink is the idea here. I've checked the archives and not really come up with anything helpful, other than one post about vintage online stuff. Sizes are "average" = 34C, dress size 6-8.

What funky stores should I go to in NYC?

hazyspring — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:53:25 -0800

Shopping in NYCfilter. Any good suggestions for artsy/eclectic stores in either Manhattan or Brooklyn? I'm going to be doing some Christmas shopping and am going to be looking for some gifts. I'm not interested in clothing, just housewares, jewelry and other chotchkes.

Too curvy for "clothes for curvy women"

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 22:37:33 -0800

Apparently my measurements are unusual for a fat chick. Is there anywhere I can buy flattering clothes off the rack (in person, and no tailoring needed)? Preemptively: "You're not healthy" (I am) or "I'd hit it" (you wouldn't) go to thatinternetgirl@yahoo.com. I'm looking for helpful suggestions here -- please!

My measurements are 44-32-50. Just under the bust is 35". I'm currently wearing a 36DDD underwire, and somehow I'm comfortable in it (no lumps, bulges, or feelings of impending explosion). I am just under 5'9". While my BMI is not great, my waist-hip ratio is under 0.65. I'm young and I've never been pregnant, so I have no idea why I'm proportioned this way. Please let me know if any more measurements would be helpful.

The trouble may be obvious now that you've seen the numbers. In case it's not, the thing is that it seems like each of my proportions make me a different size. For an example, look at Torrid's sizing chart -- my tits make me a 16; my waist makes me too small for the store; and my hips and ass make me an 20. Similarly, Lane Bryant just introduced new Right Fit sizing, and the curviest style they offer is built for a 34" waist and 47" hips. If I wanted this shirt from Igigi, I would have to buy a size 22/24, and it would be a little loose in the bust, pretty tight around the hips, and give me a whole extra 10" in the waist.

So what do I buy? Or, more accurately, where do I shop instead?

Right now I wear pretty much exclusively jeans (Levi's 515s, made for 51" hips and 42" waist) with men's T-shirts/hoodies (XXL). I'm a college student, so this is somewhat acceptable, but you won't be surprised to learn that it isn't very flattering. But it doesn't seem to matter what I wear, since even when I dress up and look more feminine and fancy, it all looks baggy and terrible -- I have to fit the biggest proportions, which means my waist is totally lost.

I know it's popular to wear a cute flirty shirt with a huge belt over it. Honestly, though, I think it looks pretty dumb to wear a belt over a shirt -- and even if I could get over that, I still think it could only be justified if you have a slim figure and an unusually small waist and want say "look at this!" My waist is still bigger than most girls' hips, so I don't want to bring attention to it (duh). I just want to wear normal clothes that are cut to fit my size, not try to attract special attention with fads like huge weird belts that will be out of style soon. I am not specifically trying to define my waist, just trying to find clothes that fit me.

Also, because of my breasts, a lot of clothing looks really trashy on me. I know "wrap dress!" is going to be the immediate answer, but it looks terrible; anything low-cut, or otherwise purposely meant to draw attention to my body (like ruching/shirring), does. I know there was a related recent question, but besides our very different sizes, our goals are also very different. It seems like that question was "I have curves, how do I not look trashy at the office?" whereas my question is "where can I find normal, not specifically-curve-showing-off, clothes that fit me?"

My ideal clothing would be pretty modest -- cover me from collarbones to elbows to just below the knees. I'm happier being modest, and anyway, nobody wants to see my knees or upper arms. For professional situations I have flared black pants, a bunch of button-down shirts, and a jacket, all of which are nice, but subject to the same fit problems (not enough darts). For casual/classroom wear, I have absolutely no idea what to do, hence the jeans and men's Ts. For lingerie, I'm happy with my everyday bras, but fancy worn-to-be-looked-at lingerie/sleepwear would be awesome (underwire definitely needed, though).

I know there are tons and tons of online stores and mail-order catalogs that cater to plus-sized women, but there are two problems with those. The main one is that, like the examples above, their stuff isn't curvy enough to fit my measurements. Plus-sized, yes, and I need that, but I also need curviness. And second, I can't try the stuff on. And I need to try clothes on before I can even think about buying them. So I need to buy in person, although the good news is that I can get to New York City if needed.

So is there anywhere I can shop, in person, to find clothes that come close to fitting me, without having to have them altered? Even if I get stuff tailored (which is expensive, and I'm a poor student), even if the stuff is able to be altered, it doesn't usually fit very well or look very good because it wasn't designed for a figure like mine. Getting custom stuff made for me is hardly an option, so I'm looking for stores that cater to a not just plus-sized, but also curvy, niche.

Help me focus my shopping efforts?

ersatzkat — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 07:33:43 -0800

Can you please offer your personal recommendations for shopping Indian/Turkish/Tibetan/Moroccan "stuff" in New York City? Spending this weekend in New York, but mostly following the "group" agenda, so I don't have a lot of time to wander on my own. I'm interested in recommendations for shops that carry beautiful, worldly, "global bazaar"-type stuff (hopefully without spending the earth!). Housewares, decorative personal and home accessories, other "stuff". I adore jewelry, and make my own, so shopping for inspiration or for supplies is always fun. Food markets are good, too, because I know some typically carry kitchen items. I've been to Do Kham, and I love to browse the main floor of ABC Carpet and Home for inspiration (but the prices! oh dear!). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Looking for unique New York shopping experiences

Alison — Wed, 03 May 2006 10:57:50 -0800

Where are your favorite places to shop in New York City, specifically interesting, unique shops and fabric stores? I will be in NYC for a conference in early June and I plan on blowing off a day for a shopping trip. I've been to New York before so I'm not looking to hit FAO Schwartz. Instead, I want to visit the coolest boutiques unique to New York. They can sell books, bags, fossils, robots, shoes, it doesn't matter. However, I am looking for personal recommendations. I've found plenty of guides, but they are either too overwhelming or lacking in detail. Sample sale suggestions are also welcome.

Also, I will be making a special trip to the Garment District for fabric shopping. Does anyone know about anything I shouldn't miss? Does anyone have a favorite fabric store? I'm always looking for good graphic prints, vinyl and sweater knit fabric.

Thanks in advance!

Where have you found reasonably priced, good quality furniture in NYC?

hsoltz — Thu, 11 Nov 2004 13:00:41 -0800

Pursuant to Lumpenprole's Rule of NYC #4, where have you found reasonably priced, good quality furniture in NYC? [mi]
I am specifically in search of a well-made solid wood dining table.

I'm a resourceful person. I check craigslist. I have a gorgeous corner bookshelf I found on the street. I know all about all the chains: IKEA, Door Store, Ethan Allen, Pottery Barn/West Elm, Crate & Barrel, ABC Carpet & Home, and all their corporate brethren. I also know about Basics and Straight from the Crate and the various knockoff/futon places on lower Broadway. And of course there are department stores like Macy's and Bloomingdales. These are not what I seek.

Point is: every so often I come across an independent shop that has really lovely, well-made furniture that is reasonably priced. Here's one, for example, in Tribeca. There must be others, but I don't know where to find them and Google only taunts me.

You know where they are. Please prove Lumpenprole's Thesis #4 (ask, ask, ask) right and share your secrets.

Neat shops in NYC?

Stynxno — Sun, 21 Mar 2004 08:41:09 -0800

I'm heading to NYC in a few days and I was curious if anyone knew of any cool shops where I could find some nifty ancient artifacts for sale. I'm also curious about if anyone knows of any art galleries or shops that deal with old pieces of art. I'm on a tight budget, so the cheaper the better (but I'll take any suggestions because I like to window shop).