Loehmann's

For those of you who watched The Nanny, Fran Drescher's sitcom, you know that her favorite shopping destination was Loehmann's. And for good reason. The shoe department is like Candyland for shoe aficianados. It has a vast array of low and high end designers at discount prices. And if you are vigilant, they have the occasional day when all the shoes are an extra ten percent off! more

Loehmann's has been a staple store for me for years - I go with my mom all the time and we peruse each floor for suits, sweaters, casual wear, you name it, they have it. I once bought a dress for a fancy occasion at Loehmann's for about $69. I saw the same dress in a Saks Fifth Avenue catalogue for $599. If my dress had any defects, you couldn't see them, so it didn't matter! Loehmann's truly has just about everything you want to wear, and they always expand their shoe and accessory collection - need gloves, a hat, a scarf, jewlery, luggage, cosmetic bags? Whatever your need, this is your place! The only bother is, fitting rooms are too small, and they limit you to 8 items, even in the group rooms. This is why I sometimes prefer the branch in Riverdale which has a huge communal fitting room, allows you to come in with armloads of clothes, and you get to bond with the other woman around you if you need an opinion on how you look! more

Considering the plethora of bargain shops and the reputation of the Loehmanns brand nationwide, this branch does nothing to impress me. While they're not known for great merchandising or accommodating layouts, shopping in this store ensures you know you're shopping in New York. It's cramped, clothes are strewn all over, brands are mixed up on different racks, and it's just an overall mess. It's hard to see the value in discount shopping here, when everything is displayed and handled so poorly. There's nothing to be said for the customer service either, where the staff make you feel like you are cattle being herded in an out of the changing rooms. But talking about changing rooms, that's the one bonus here - unlike many Loehmanns, you have private rooms. No communal rooms where you feel self-conscious and on display with the many-angled mirrors around you. Still though, my shopping experience is better at the branches in the suburbs, so I actively avoid this store like the plague. more

This place is great. They're always having some kind of promotional discount, such as an addition 25-40% off already reduced merchandise. There's a plethera of items to go through that are all priced way below department store prices. On the fourth floor, they have the "back room", where you can find amazing high-end designer items. The men's selection is good, but the women's clothing and accessories selection is amazing, covering 3 complete floors. The brands they carry are top of the line, including narcisso rodriguez, moschino, marc jacobs, missoni, and many more. It's good to pop by this place every so often to see if you can catch their sales on clearance items. more

You cannot find better name brand clothing at better prices than Loehmanns. The suits and coats are probably the best value but this store puts all other discount clothing stores to shame. This flafship store is huge and there is no way you cannot find something for someone in your family. There are mens and kids but the womens clothing is why you need to go there and shop till you drop. more