Just as you don’t want to be a slave to fashion, neither should you be a slave to your shrinking bank account. Here’s where to stay stylish in these recessionary times.
By Caitlin Burke
If you’ve turned on the television, flipped open a magazine, or logged onto the Internet in the past few months, you can’t help but feel like a scarlet “R” has been stitched right onto the lapel of your last-season’s blouse. With each day bringing more dispiriting news about the economy, chances are you’ve checked into retail rehab, swearing off shopping as a forbidden frivolity reserved for Manhattan’s elite. But with price tags dropping almost as fast as the Dow, now is a better time than ever to take advantage of the outrageous discounts. New York City is a Mecca for savvy savings opportunities, and armed with the right information on where and when to shop, you too can afford to live large and still make the rent.
My quest for the perfect recession-proof ensemble begins at the “fast fashion” chains. Stores such as Zara, H&M, Forever21, and Mango stock affordable designer-inspired pieces just weeks after they first appear on the catwalk. Lucky for us, most of the city’s popular shopping areas host several of them, so you can scour them quickly and almost always come out with an affordable outfit update.
Other chains — such as Loehmann’s, Filene’s Basement, Century 21 and DSW — are smart stops if you’re after brand-name pieces. These stores are currently brimming with an overwhelming amount of high-quality, discounted designer items due to the increase in overstock from department stores. At Filene’s on 14th Street, I found a trendy, silver crop-jacket from BCBG which retailed for $338, and was selling for less than $130. It was the perfect companion to the gorgeous silk D&G pencil skirt I spotted at sixty percent off the previously paycheck-sized price tag. And if these luxury mark-downs are still out of your budget, there are plenty of mid-range lines available at serious savings. The statement-making Liz Claiborne satchel I found for $35 combines a classic shape with a bold metallic finish, making it suitable for both the clubs and the cubicle.
Several smaller, harder-to-find shops like this also exist downtown, with a more intimate atmosphere and often negotiable prices. Gabay’s, located in the East Village, stocks an incredibly well-edited selection of current designer pieces at a fraction of their original cost. Business Partners Joseph Gabay and Joel Morrow run the small shopping haven, which Joel says is benefiting from the difficult times. As with the larger discounters, he says they’ve had access to more overstock, allowing them to hand pick the best items and pass along the savings. I found stunning new Lanvin and Valentino bags, both priced at almost half their retail rate. The shoe deals were even more impressive, including hard-to-find pairs from Prada, Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Jimmy Choo and more. Nearby, Tokyo Joe, Tokio7, INA, and Cadillac’s Castle all offer a similar range of high-end merchandise at jaw-dropping prices.
Sprinkled along the downtown shopping path, you’ll also find a ton of great second-hand and thrift stores. Newly opened Buffalo Exchange is already bustling with quality inventory and pleasing price tags. I came across a fashionable Karta embellished top for just $33.50, as well as a purple Valentino suit jacket marked down to an unheard of $18. Store Manager Vicki Stevenson says there is an incredible number of people coming in to sell clothes, resulting in a better selection of merchandise. No Relation Vintage also houses some great finds, and is a favorite of mine for fur and leather pieces. Just be sure to inspect items closely while shopping second-hand. Look under the arms, and check the seams for rips or tears which can be difficult to fix.
For a more exclusive shopping experience, try visiting some of NYC’s sample sales to score original designer pieces straight from the runway. “Try” may be the operative word, as these exclusive sales can often be more difficult to get into than their model-sized offerings. Luckily, there are several helpful websites and blogs loaded with information on where and when sample sales are happening. Some favorites include TopButton, JuliB, DailyCandy, and TheBudgetFashionista.
The web can also be a great resource for finding additional shopping discounts. Sites like RetailMeNot offer full listings of coupons available at popular stores and retail sites. In addition, Fashionista frequently provides insider info on secret sales and online coupon codes. For more customized savings, log on to ShopItToMe, which informs you when sites put your favorite brands on sale in your size!
With all of these resources available, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the retail market and practice smarter shopping. Knowing where and when to spend can make all the difference. Do your part to stimulate the economy, and watch as your wardrobe grows and your receipt totals shrink.
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