Shopping in NYC - 5th Ave vs Outlet Villages

Hi All

I am visitng NYC over new year for the first time. Although I plan to do the 5th ave shopping experience, I have heard about some outlet villages about 1hr outside nyc that offer very good bargains. Can anyone give me any advive as to whether they are worth the trip.

I am also looking to for a new suit, so any recommendations here will also be appreciated.

Thanks very much in advance.

Shopping in NYC - 5th Ave vs Outlet Villages

If you love shopping, or that%26#39;s the main reason you%26#39;re coming, maybe consider one of the outlet malls. Woodbury Commons does have a number of high end designer stores like Gucci, Chanel, but it%26#39;s over an hour away and the bus costs $35 roundtrip (or take a cheaper bus but spend the entire day there). Have a look at their website and see if the stores they have interest you. You should be able to find everything you want, especially at this time of year in Manhattan.

For a suit, depends on how much you want to spend, what style etc. All the stores should be having sales and with the great exchange rate for you, you could probably get something wonderful at Saks Fifth Ave. or Barneys-both high end dept stores. If you%26#39;re looking for a bargain, some discount places are

%26gt;Sym%26#39;s (2 locations),

%26gt;Men%26#39;s Warehouse (Madison Ave. %26amp; about 45 st--this is a stretch of Madison Ave. with lots of men%26#39;s stores)

%26gt;Rothman%26#39;s

Shopping in NYC - 5th Ave vs Outlet Villages

If you are coming right now, (within the next 2 weeks) you need not schlep all the way to Woodbury, since the sales are in full swing and you can score some major deals.

As for suiting, you can%26#39;t go wrong with Brooks Brothers, whether you want to spend $300 or $3000 Brooks will have something for you.

Btw, assuming you%26#39;re male. The places I listed for a suit are men only except for

Syms which carries men %26amp; women. I also neglected mentioning Century 21 which is a discount dept. store. You either love it or hate it. Very crazy place. Not my thing.

Macy%26#39;s has a very large selection of name brand men%26#39;s casual clothes. Foreign visitors can get an extra 11% discount by registering at their customer service desk. They also will have suits, maybe on sale. Bloomingdales has the same offer to visitors. Lord %26amp; Taylor is a another nice dept store. I%26#39;ve gotten nice men%26#39;s shirts, sweaters etc. there but never looked at their selection of suits.

For after Christmas sales 5th Avenue should do you fine.

For a good suit, try Barney%26#39;s 7th Avenue and 17th Street - they also are having sales.

As for the out of town outlets, never thought them to be a %26#39;great%26#39; bargain, in my opinion.

Poppa

Barney%26#39;s isn%26#39;t on 17th and 7th anymore. :-( It%26#39;s on 60th and Madison. (17th st is a CO-OP..not good for suits.)

cb - thanks for the update, just remembering the %26#39;old%26#39; Barney%26#39;s.

Sorry for any inconvenience to anyone..

actually yearly sales of barneys occur in the warehouse at 17 st still. i think they%26#39;re in feb though. they have really good discounts for like 3 day sale.

just go to saks and bergdorf on 5ave - at this time you can get up to 75% discount there. it does not get better!. there%26#39;s some edgier younger discount closings stuff in cent.21, very unpredictable though -that%26#39;s downtown across from wtc site, close to brooks brothers, if you go there.

Thanks Very Much to everyone for their comments.

I think I will stay in manhattan for the sales and save myself the journey. I now have plenty of options for suit hunting.

Invaluable advice, thanks again.

Oooooooo...brooks brothers.........Mmmmmmmm.....

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