Shop, eat, explore, relax. This is my recipe for vacation. Location is really just a little detail. I totally get the “staycation” idea, though I would NEVER use that phrase. 
Since I’m still on my “poor person’s guide to seeing NYC” kick, I wanted to mention a couple of cool/affordable places in the city to shop.
Thing number 547 that is great about New York: it’s a shopper’s paradise but also totally friendly for the non-shopper (who are you people anyway?) If you’re so unfortunate to be traveling with one of “those” people, don’t bother trying to keep them happy while you duck in and out of the many terrific places for losing your hard earned money. Rather, drop them at one of the many excellent coffee shops or bars and preserve your relationship (though I don’t see things lasting long, personally). The “Nespresso” cafe in Soho, 92 Prince Street, is really pretty impressive. It is shiny, polished, and anything but a grungy coffeehouse, which are nice don’t get me wrong, but it’s definitely the kind of place you could drink an americano in stilletos and not feel overdressed.
I hate stilletos. Anyways.
Where was I…oh, affordable shopping. Right. Here’s a f ew favs:
H&M. They’re on every corner. You’ll see ‘em. Just look. I know H&M is in every suburbia mall but I probably went to about 5 different ones and they were all different and had multiple floors and different sales and styles in each of them. I even got some nice underwear for a dollar. And that’s all I’m going to say about underwear.
Necessary Clothing. Really love their bootsNot super crazy about their style of clothing but you can’t beat their prices. Really love their boots which range from about $20-$30 (crazy good prices!) Find them online at www.NecessaryClothing.com Find them in the city at:
442 Broadway and 676 Broadway. By the way there’s an H&M super close to the 442 store…The whole section of Broadway is great for shopping; Banana Republic, J Crew, Guess, Levis, Versace and a billion others. There’s also an Old Navy which I find surprising. It’s huge and chaotic like everything else but I did see some nice lunchboxes when I visited. Why didn’t I buy one.
Uniqlo. A Japanese based company that just opened some new stores in New York. Lots of solid colors and straight lines; kind of an urban Japanese Gap though I doubt they’d appreciate that. I happened to be there the weekend of their grand opening in Soho so they were having great deals like $10 jeans and $40 cashmere sweaters. Expect higher prices but take advantage of their complimentary tailoring services. 546 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Huge store.
Rags-A-Go-Go. Visit this place if at all possible. You’ll unavoidably meet Joshua Suzanne, the proud and SERIOUSLY TALKATIVE owner. If you’re looking for a place to buy an army jacket, dress from the 90′s, cowboy boots or stuffed animals (or were those just decorations??), this is your place. Address: 218 West 14th St # A
New York
(646) 486-4011
Joshua Suzanne, the owner of Rags a Go Go
