Hate Paying Retail? If you know where to go, New York is the best place to shop for designer clothing without designer prices! Let the hunt begin…
We loved taking you on a tour of Luxury Department Stores in New York City, but that’s not the only way to find the finest clothing the Big Apple has to offer! If you know where to go, New York is the BEST place to shop for designer clothing without designer prices. The lovely ladies from Wear2Where have the best recommendations for consignment shopping in NYC. Let the hunt begin for amazing finds at least 50% less than retail!
Madison Avenue, home to Barneys, Etro, Christian Dior and a multitude of luxury designer brands is also home to some of the best consignment shopping. Our favorite stretch on Madison Avenue begins on 72nd St :
Roundabout – 31 East 72nd St and 1100 Madison Ave. roundaboutcouture.com
In business for over 20 years, these shops offer luxury couture as well as current and past season “new” items at up to 70% off due to their direct relationships with designers and showrooms. It pays to have friends in the right places!
Michael’s – 1041 Madison Ave michaelsconsignment.com.
Though Michael’s does require a walk to the second floor, the exercise is worth it! The fashion conscious will find curated collections of high-end “authenticated” designer brands and furs. Channel, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo and Hermes mix with contemporary department store brands. Belts, sunglasses, scarves and jewelry complete the look.
La Boutique Resale – 1045 Madison Avenue laboutiqueresale.com
With over 2500 sq. feet of shopping on two floors, this store has something for everyone. Take a shopping trip to Japan, Italy, France and Belgium under one roof! A part of the store is devoted to vintage Pucci, Halston, YSL and more. There are also plenty of chairs if you need a ‘mid-shopping’ break…or if your travel companion needs a place to rest.
Encore – 1132 Madison Ave, 2nd Floor encoreresale.com
A visionary and pioneer for women, Florence Barry established Encore in 1954 offering an incredible collection of high-end designer brands. Please be aware that the dressing room is communal so modesty is usually left at the door. Be on the lookout for sale markdowns! Don’t we love a sale within a sale!
Bis Designer Resale – 1134 Madison Avenue bis-designer-resale.myshopify.com
Tired yet? Don’t be. This shop is right next door to Encore. Stocked by category, not designer, it’s easy to find what you are looking for. Can’t make it to NY? Don’t despair- shop their new on-line eBay store!
Lunch Tip –Le Pain Quotidien – 1131 Madison Ave. lepainquotidien.com
By now you’re probably starving! Our favorite for homemade soups, salads and the best chocolate chip cookies on Madison Avenue.
Still further uptown brings you to…
Trunk Show Consignment – 275-W 113 Street trunkshowconsignment.com
What happens when two good friends who love fashion get together? They open a self-described “luxury haven in Harlem”. Heather Jones and Lenore Gomez combine passion with business to create the first designer resale shop in Harlem. Their designer list reads like a who’s who of top American and European designers.
Downtown, check out
Resurrection – 217 Mott Street resurrectionvintage.com
Entering feels like a museum exhibit of designer fashion from the 60’s and 70’s! Fashionistas shop for pristine assortments of mod 60’s Pucci & 70’s Gucci dresses, vintage Chanel and Birkin bags. Located in trendy Nolita it’s the go-to store for stylists, fashion editors and designers. As the saying goes “history repeats itself”.
Consignment is not limited to women –men love to hunt!
Ina –inanyc.com/pages/locations
Four of Ina’s six locations sell high-end consignment menswear as well fabulous woman’s clothing. The Spring Street shop is devoted to men only.
Men’s clothing along with several accessories such as clock, calendar, belt and shoes
Shopping Tip: Be sure to check these stores return policy (if any). Most sales are final or you might be offered a store credit.
Woodbury Common –This is the ultimate shopping experience. Located less than an hour out of NYC, take a bus, cab or splurge on a VIP sedan to the ultimate outlet mall. Shop Fendi, Balenciaga, Prada, Jimmy Choo, Bottega Veneta, Frette, DVF, Brunello Cucinelli & Paul Smith to name a few. With over 220 stores it’s an all day outing! (shop until 9PM) Did we mention a Barneys Warehouse and a Neiman Marcus Last Call?
Want more ideas of where to shop till you drop? Feel welcome to contact the concierge at Hotel Elysee, Casablanca Hotel, Library Hotel, or Hotel Giraffe. Enjoy your stay and let us know if you went to any of the places we recommended. We would love to hear your feedback!
The Library Hotel Collection tapped Sandy Mandel and Barbara Winchell of wear2where for the latest in traveling in style.
Pop over to Tokyo – The most electrifying city in the world where every sidewalk becomes a catwalk! Edgy, innovative, eccentric – Tokyo is fashion on steroids!
Travel like a VIP in Tokyo – The largest city in the world where every street corner is a photo op! How to navigate? Be a VIP & travel in style.
Special Fashion Events
Fashion Night Out – Sept. 12 shopping event of the year! Mingle w/celebs, models & designers – worldwide event sponsored by Vogue’s Anna Wintour. Head to Omotesasndo & Aoyama districts & shop at over 450 stores! What’s more exciting shopping or celeb sightings?
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week – October 12-17
Just like it’s New York sister, but with a plethora of Japenese designers.
Fashion World Tokyo – Sept. 30 – Oct 2 the leading trade show for the fashion industry in Japan. Open to trade only but watching the parade of people attending is a show in itself!
Tokyo Trends
Ponytails, the 70’s, oversized scarves, architectural dresses, fur. Platform shoes, edgy, vintage and skinny pants
Shop
Shibuya
Birthplace of young fashion trends. A cacophony of lights & sounds. Iconic crosswalk – so crowded you can’t cross! Shop the 109 building!
Harajuku – Hip (pedestrian street only) crammed on both sides w/an explosion of outlandish boutiques for the young & trendy!
Ginza – Wander this premier upscale shopping district representing Japanese & international fashion brands. Department store heaven – Matsuya, Printemps, Mitsukoshi! Bonus – tax-free!
Omotesando – Nicknamed the “Champs-Élysées of Tokyo” there might actually be more designer shops than shoppers on this street.
Shinjuku – tallest skyscrapers & busiest railway station merges w/ Japans largest red light district, subterranean malls, electronic shops and department stores (Takashemya, one of the best)
Roppongi – Designer malls Roppongi Hills & Midtown
Day to Night
Stay
New Otani Tokyo – in the center of Tokyo but worlds away. Their 400-year-old 10-acre garden will bring out the much-needed zen in you!
Claska – Stay w/the in crowd. This 20 -room boutique offers exclusivity. Check out the gallery, home to runway shows or sip a drink at the bar.
Park Hyatt – This 5-star classic in Sinjuku (Lost in Translation) is breathtaking. Recharge on the 52nd floor at their famous NY Bar.
Grand Hyatt– Located in Roppongi Hills, the heart of fashion. A killer spa (you’ll need it after all the walking) with guests as great as the view.
Dine
Beige – Alain Ducasse Tokyo – After wandering around the Ginza Chanel Building, pop upstairs to Beige modeled after Chanel’s simplicity
Dazzle – Step off the elevator straight into the kitchen. Prepare to feel dazzled! In the heart of Ginza it offers decadent French fusion
Feria – Want to learn models’ secrets? This five-story club located in Roppongi is the favorite hang out for models & men alike.
Shabu Zen – A favorite of Anna Sui & Lady Gaga this understated restaurant serves the best Shabu Shabu (grilled meat) in the city.
The Height of Fashion
VIP Travel Experience tapped Sandy Mandel & Barbara Winchell of Wear2Where for the latest in traveling in style.
Head to Cuba – for the rum, for the music, for the cars & the baseball! It’s all about motion! Seductive sounds & sexy dancers fill the colorful streets of Cuba. Add the taste of rum and the smell of cigars and the once forbidden is now accessible. Tour Cuba like a VIP.
Hotels – Hit the Road with VIP
Are you there for business, a romantic rendezvous, family vacation or cultural immersion? No hay problema! VIP has it covered!
Hotel Paradisus Vadera R&S – An all inclusive resort in popular Varadero, endless miles of pristine white sand beaches
Hotel Melia Cayo Coco –Are you over 18? Adults only need apply to this romantic island reached by causeway surrounded by clear unspoiled turquoise water
Hotel Sevilla – in Old Havana off the promenade of Paseo del Prado. Explore the historic center. A value hotel – enough money left over for that Cuban cigar!
Boutique Iberostar Gran Hotel Trinidad – “ A history of Tradition and Salsa” surrender to Trinidad’s charm. An architectural 16th century jewel, declared a UNESCO world Heritage Site!
Hotel Paradisus Rio de Oro – Fronting the barrier reef inside Bahia de Naranjo Natural Park – Snorkel, wind surf, sail or get married!
Escorted Tours
For a week or more… Sit back, relax & leave the planning to VIP.
Cuba: Western Jewels: City, Beach & Cabaret – Spend three nights in Old Havana one night in a private home & three on the beach in Varadero!
Cuba: Swim & Dive – You won’t miss a thing w/this 11-day excursion. Tour Old & New Havana, take diving lessons, visit Trinidad, swim with dolphins in Cienfuegos & take a ferry to Cayo Levisa for a day on the beach.
Deep Sea Fishing in Havana: Grab your buddies & go fishing! Six days of fishing gear, bait included.
Excursions
What a Catch
Havana’s Architecture Tour – Get an overall view of eclectic architecture that makes Cuba unique.
“Hemingways Havana” – Tour La Vigía Farmhouse, Ernest Hemingway’s former residence & inspiration for The Old Man and the Sea. Relax & lunch at Las Terrazas, (Hemingway’s) favorite hangout. Be inspired to write that next best selling American novel.
Colonial Tour – A UNESCO World heritage site, this tour showcases Cuba’s best-preserved Colonial area.
The Legend of Habano – Take a puff or two at this cigar factory, visit the Cigar museum & stop at the “Smokers Hotel” Conde de Villanueva. Inhale deeply!
“Art and Color” – Visit Cuba’s Fine Arts Museum, Art Galleries & Artist Studios.
“The Art of Rum” As Mr. Hemingway said, “Drinking is a way of ending the day.” Visit the Rum Museum; tour the bars in the old town. Is there a better way to end your day? Where else is rum cheaper than water?
Soroa-Las Terrazas – Waterfalls and orchids, leave your heels at home. An all day private tour to Sierra del Rosario, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
“A Classic Tour” – Don’t we all remember our first car? Visit the Vintage Car Museum. Explore under the hood. It’s foreign to us – just like men!
Cuba Rocks! All day all night – Cuba is the birthplace of Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Bolero, ballads and of course Salsa! Hit the baseball field by day and then hit a home run at night in the salsa club.
VIP Travel Experience tapped Sandy Mandel & Barbara Winchell of Wear2Where for Traveling in Style.