Century 21 is a must-visit when in New York City, and this outlet department store can really make me go shopaholic-crazy. Shelf after shelf, floor after floor are crammed with goodies from famous designers at prices, which seem too good to be true. Most of the stuff is from last season (or the season before last season), but does it really matter, when you can replace all your boring high street clothes with designer items and still have money left for cocktails?
It takes time to find the real bargains, but don’t let those boring Calvin Klein dresses distract you (they can be found in all American outlets…and at no other places). The American brands offer the biggest savings, while European brands are quite expensive and only rarely make a good deal. Expect to spend at least one whole day to inspect all the floors thoroughly.
The shoes section at Century 21 is another favorite of mine. There are so many different brands and styles, and shoes from the American designers usually offer great savings. As for the clothes, the European designers are more expensive, and if you live in Europe, you might find that the brands are actually cheaper in your home country.
One stair down, you’ll find the kitchenware/home appliances section, and if you still got space left in your suitcase, this is where you fill it up. Kitchenware in the US is really cheap compared to Denmark, so imagine how low the prices are in an outlet store. If only that KitchenAid mixer weren’t that heavy…
Century 21 can be both hot and crowded, and the lines for the fitting room and the check-out can be very long, so bring a bottle of water and familiarize yourself with the American clothing size system in advance, so you know approximately what size you are.
• Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the following sections: Sportswear (cool tracksuits from Juicy Couture and BCBG), Underwear (cheap CK panties), Coats (really cheap winter coats), Jeans (really cheap and lots of cool brands) and Sunglasses (much cheaper than in Europe).
• There’s a separate entrance to the shoes department on the other side of the building.
My guide to cheap shopping in New York City
Century 21, 22 Cortlandt Street (between Church and Broadway), New York
