Wednesday, November 30, 2011

H&M: Marni & the Spring '12 Preview

Heard the news about Marni for H&M? Of course you have! According to Harper's Bazaar, this collaboration is launching March 8th 2012, which isn't a Saturday. But as I told Fashion Pulse last night on Twitter, I'm happy with a weekday launch as that way I can stay home in Queens and sleep in on a Saturday. Haha! Like moms to toddlers ever sleep in. Anyways, I LOVE this collab, what a perfect choice after Versace. I'll definitely be buying some Marni prints. Also this black necklace if it's up for grabs:

Photo from Style.com. I really want Consuelo Castiglione's cozy-chic look.

Here are a few other H&M things to look forward to in spring. These are from the Spring Press Preview. I'm only supposed to post one photo, but I was feeling very predictable posting the fabulous quilted black biker jacket and felt I had to represent some color. Note the orange-red and cool blue colors. Add some yellow and you're set for spring '12. These hues look very retro and feminine, and the clothing styles follow suit. Also, note the wedges. H&M shoes get better every season.





H&M Herald Square 47 West 34th Street just east of Sixth Avenue
H&M Penn Station 435 Seventh Avenue at 34th Street

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

From the Archives: Finding a Bargain under the Gimbels Traverse

In this post, 34SP's archivist Anne Kumer shares some 34th Street history. This post also appears on NYC Circa, Anne's history blog about New York City and its public spaces and buildings.


I LOVE dollar stores, especially Jack's. It's chaotic for sure (I have to be in the mood for an adventure), but there are great deals on a huge variety of merchandise. The first Jack's was opened at 16 East 40th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues. In 1994 Jack opened a second store on the first floor of 110 West 32nd Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, and three years later, a closeout retail store called Jack's World, on the 2nd and 3rd floors in the same building. Here is 110 West 32nd Street in 1912 -- it's the middle building with the sexy cornice and Penn Station in the background to the west.

Photo: MCNY
The photo above was taken just after the completion of its neighbor to the west, known then as the Cuyler Building, and later as the Gimbels Administration Building, and even later, as one host to the Gimbels Traverse, or skybridge (more on that later). As for the "Jack's" building -- visible below to the left of the skybridge -- it was probably built in the early 1900s.

Manhattan, West 32nd Street, b/t Sixth Avenue & Seventh


According to  Walter Grutchfield's extremely informative website on New York City wall signs, 14 to 42, the building was occupied by a company called Alliance Press from about 1907 to 1938, and Protective Ventilator Co. from 1910-1916.  In 1916, Willoughby's Camera Stores purchased the building, setting up a much-loved shop on the ground floor. The camera and photography store (one of NYC's oldest) was there until 1994, bringing us full circle to Jack's. Again, 14 to 42 gives a concise history of Willoughby's, so I'm not sure I need to.  I can, via the MCNY photo collection, contribute a Willoughby's window from 1945:

Photo: MCNY

Monday, November 28, 2011

Uniqlo +J on Sale

Anne, our archivist and 34th Street building history expert, just dropped by my office to talk sexy cornices and Uniqlo's +J. The sexy cornice post is for later this week. The +J is today because it's on sale right now.


She picked up this impeccable +J cropped peacoat at Uniqlo on 34th Street for $99, reg. priced at $199. DEAL. I'm going by tomorrow to check out the entire stock (regular brand and +J), but it sounds like it's a perfect time to buy some of the +J final collection.


Uniqlo 31 W. 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Black Friday Sales & Hours on 34th Street

Here are your annual Black Friday store hours and deals for the 34th Street area.*

Each year, we call the stores in the district so you don't have to. Check back until the day itself (click on the Black Friday icon on the right) as we'll continue to update specials this week. To get the best deals, be sure to plan an early trip to your favorite stores for one of the biggest shopping days of the year, as most doorbusters end by 1pm or earlier.



Aeropostale, Manhattan Mall
3am-11pm: TBA on Black Friday, but is usually 50% off everything in store
                  
Aeropostale, 15 W. 34th Street
12am-midnight: see above

Aerosoles, 36 W. 34th Street
6am-9pm: 20% off everything in store 11/24-11/27

Afaze, Manhattan Mall
8am-10pm: Buy one get one 50% off until noon; say "Holiday 2011" at register, get 20% all day.

Aldo Shoes, 27 W. 34th Street
5am-11pm: 30% off all sale boots, 30% off sale bags, buy 3 full-priced accessories and get extra 30% off

American Eagle Outfitters, 40 W. 34th Street
12am-Midnight: 40% off entire store

AT&T, 209 W. 34th Street & 350 Fifth Avenue
9am-9pm: free smartphone with contract, details


B&H Photo & Video, 420 9th Avenue
9am-1pm: Check here for holiday offers and Black Friday deals on cameras

Banana Republic, 17 W. 34th Street
12am-10pm: 40% off entire store, 9am-1pm; 25% off entire store, 1pm-10pm

Bare Escentuals, 44 W. 34th Street
9am-11pm: TBA

Bebe, 1 W. 34th Street
5am-11pm: 25% off entire store until noon

Billabong, 112 W. 34th Street
8am-10pm: TBA

Brookstone, 142 W. 34th Street
5am-midnight: TBA on Thanksgiving

Call It Spring, Manhattan Mall, 33rd St and 6th Ave
3am-11pm: TBA on Thanksgiving Day

Charlotte RusseManhattan Mall, 33rd & 6th Ave
4am-11pm: 30% off everything

The Compleat Strategist11 E. 33rd Street
10:30am-6pm: No special sales.

Daffy’s1311 Broadway
7am-10pm: Buy More Save More through November 28: Ladies shoes and bags are 10% off 1 item, 20% off 2 items, 30% off 3 items

Desigual, 358 Fifth Avenue
7am-9pm: Up to 70% off select items

Desigual958 Avenue of the Americas
7am-9pm: Up to 70% off select items 

Dr. Jays17 W. 34th Street
5am-10pm: Buy any item and get the second item 50% off (second item must be of equal or lesser value; excludes NIKE, Jordan, Adidas Superstars, Adidas Samoas, Timberland 10061 & 12909 models)

Esprit, 21 W. 34th Street
6am-11pm: Early bird special: 50% off in stores till noon Friday

Express, Manhattan Mall, level one
3am-9pm: 40% off everything before noon, 30% off after

Express7 W. 34th Street
12am-10pm: 40% off everything before noon, 30% off after

Famous Footwear250 W. 34th Street
6am-11pm: Buy one and get the second pair 1/2 off

Fantasma Magic, 
421 Seventh Avenue, second floor
11am-6pm: 50% off select items


Foot Locker120 W. 34th Street and 45 W. 34th Street
12am-11pm: Sales not disclosed until Black Friday

Foot LockerManhattan Mall
3am-10pm: Sales not disclosed until Black Friday

Footaction USA430 7th Avenue
12am-midnight: TBA

Forever 2150 W. 34th Street
5am-midnight: TBA

Fossil38 W. 34th Street
7am-10pm: No special sale

Game Stop1282 Broadway
12am-9am: Check flyer here for doorbusters

Game Stop, Manhattan Mall
5:30am-9:30pm: Check flyer here for doorbusters

Gap1282 Broadway
12am to midnight: Everything in store is 30%-40% off

Geox29 W. 34th Street
6am-10pm: Doorbuster: 1/2 off select items until noon

H&M47 W. 34th Street
5am-11pm: Scratchoffs for first 100 people in line valued up to $300. dresses, sweaters, outerwear, pants, kids jackets all $5. Details here.

H&M 435 7th Avenue
5am-11pm: Scratchoffs for first 100 people in line valued up to $300. dresses, sweaters, outerwear, pants, kids jackets all $5. Details here.

House of Hoops by Foot Locker, 1 W. 34th Street
12am-11pm: TBA

Jack's 99 Cent Store, 
110 W. 32nd Street
7:30am-8:45pm: Jack's Holiday Sweepstakes begin; go here for more sale info

JCPenney
Manhattan Mall
3am-11pm: doorbusters from 4am-1pm, check in on Foursquare or Facebook for extra deals: Check store ad for sale details

Jim Hanley's Universe
4 West 33rd Street
7am-11pm: 30% off everything on Tuesday 11/22 and Black Friday; more details and sales info here

Joe Fresh, 
215 W. 34th Street
5am-10pm: Big sale: almost everything in the store will be marked down.

Journeys
1293 Broadway
12am-midnight: No special sales

Kay Jewelers
136 W. 34th Street
8am-10pm: Everything in the catalog is 15% off; if it's not in the catalog it's 20% off

Kmart
1 Penn Plaza
6am-11pm: Go here for list of deals

KT Wireless, 
460 7th Avenue
8am-10pm: 25% off on all phones and accessories


LensCrafters
Manhattan Mall
8am-10pm: Glasses are 30%-50% off

Levi's, 
45 W. 34th Street
12am-midnight: TBA Thanksgiving Day

Lids
Manhattan Mall
5am-10:30pm: Red-sticker items are 1/2 off

Lush
1293 Broadway
8am-11pm: No special sale

Macy's
151 W. 34th Street
12am-10pm: Check the store ad for sale details

Mango
7 W. 34th Street
7am-10pm: 30% off Friday - Sunday

Men's Warehouse
10 W. 34th Street
8am-9pm: BOGO free everything in store except shoes

Modell's Sporting Goods
1293 Broadway
4am-11pm: Check out ad here

New York Golf Center, 
131 W. 35th Street
10am-8pm: Biggest sale of the year: 20% off storewide, exclusions apply

NYC Raquet Sports
157 W. 35th Street
8:30am-7pm: Tax Free Weekend

Old Navy
150 W. 34th Street
12am-Midnight: Check out Black Friday ad here

Orva Shoes
34 W. 34th Street
8am-10pm: TBA on Black Friday

Payless Shoe Source
110 W. 34th Street
7am-10pm: 50% off select items including some boots and slippers

Payless Shoe Source
484 8th Avenue
8am-8pm: Up to 50% off select items including some boots and slippers

Perfumania, 2
0 W. 34th Street
8am-9pm: Doorbuster: Buy one get one for $9.99; free gift with purchase

P.S. from Aeropostale
Manhattan Mall
3am-midnight: $6 T's, $12 hoodies, everything else in store is 1/2 off

Radio Shack
Manhattan Mall
5:30am-10pm: Go early for the best deals and selection, check store ad for details

Rock and Soul Electronics
462 7th Avenue
9:30am-7pm: Specials on select items with DJ in store all day

Sephora
130 W. 34th Street
6am-midnight: 10 for $10 each, inc. palettes, sets, & fragrances, details

Skechers
140 W. 34th Street
7am-midnight: 20%-30% off on winter boots

Social Apparel
Manhattan Mall
8am-10pm: 10%-20% off select items

Sprint PCS
126 W. 34th Street
8am-10pm: TBA

Square One
Manhattan Mall
4am-11pm: TBA

Steve Madden Shoes
41 W. 34th Street
5am-11pm: Scratch-off cards (starting 11/22)

Strawberry
14 W. 34th Street
7am-8pm: 20% off everything before 11am

Strawberry
Manhattan Mall
6am-11pm: 20% off entire store

Sunglass Hut
1313 Broadway
12am-midnight: Take an additional 50% off clearance items

Sunglass Hut
Manhattan Mall
8am-11pm: Take an additional 50% off clearance items

Swarovski
200 W. 34th Street
9am-10pm: 60% off new nectar pendant and earring set ($75, regularly $190); twinkling stocking ornaments are two for $40 (reg. $40 each, must buy two)

Timberland
28 W. 34th Street
7am-9pm: Same as current sales: Spend $250 and get 20% off entire purchase, $30 off outerwear, 30% off outerwear accessories like gloves and hats, 40% off select handbags & other accessories

T-Mobile
124 W. 34th Street
8am-9pm: TBA

Toys R Us
Manhattan Mall
3am-11pm: See flyer for sale details

Uniqlo
31 W. 34th Street
6am-9pm: men's and women's long-sleeved heattech T's are $12.90; cashmere sweaters for men are $59.90, for women are $49.90; free pair of heattech socks w/purchase for 1st 2,000 customers

Verizon Wireless
134 W. 34th Street
8:30am-9pm: Upgrade incentives on Androids

Victoria's Secret
1328 Broadway at 6th Avenue
12am-10pm: free tote with purchase

Victoria's Secret
Manhattan Mall
3am-10pm: BOGO 1/2 off bras, free tote with a $55+ purchase, more sales TBA

WHO.A.U
22 W. 34th Street
12am-midnight: $25 off $150+ purchase, $50 off $250+ purchase. Select graphic T's are $2, select jeans are $10, select sweaters for $10, outerwear is 30% off. Gift cards for the first 100 customers.

Zara
39 W. 34th Street
6am-10pm: Small sale TBA

*Please check with stores for more details; the 34th Street Partnership, our stores listed, and the Fashion Herald blog cannot be held responsible for incorrect sale information. We do our best and double check, but cannot claim 100% accuracy.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The New Dr. Jay's on 34th Street

Dr. Jay's flagship has undergone a big transformation on 34th Street this year. The store moved down the block right next to Banana Republic in a smaller space than Dr. Jay's previous home. But this is a much more attractive and shop-able store.

Click here for photo source and info on Dr. Jay's rebranding.

Now for the shopping: below is a small selection of the many brands to look for in the lower level. I dig the Wrangler and the outerwear. Dr. Jay's has some serious winter gear. What do I look for at Dr. Jay's? Clothes for my man and women's shoes. And if you're in need of a cap for a niece, nephew or sports fan this holiday season, Dr. Jay's has a wall full of hats.

Still think Wranglers are sexy.

See? Wall of hats.

There's a big selection of Levi's and North Face.


Schott! I had no idea Dr. Jay's carried Schott jackets! Now I just need Dr. Jay's to carry the motorcycle jackets.


I was embarrassed that I hadn't heard of Wellensteyn jackets. I think you can submerge yourself in North Sea waters in one of these and survive warm and toasty. OK, not really, please don't do that. But read more about this German outdoor company here. And buy one of these at Dr. Jay's.


Pleasantly surprised? Dr. Jay's will do that for you.


Dr. Jay's 17 West 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Express: The Spring '12 Preview

Get ready for lemons, tangerines, and more lively hues come spring. At their spring press preview a few weeks ago, Express had a gorgeous lot of all colors with some striking animal prints mixed in.



Standouts were accessories and fabulous, lightweight spring sweaters. Express shoes knocked me out for fall, so I'm not surprised that I adore the spring selection.








A little men's (how fun are those ties?), tables of eye-catching accessories at every turn, and more proof everywhere that Express is really turning it out these days.





Be sure to drop by one of our two Express stores this season and hit up their holiday sales. I highly recommend the skinny jeans and the sequined anything.


Express Manhattan Mall lower level 1, 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue
Express 7 West 34th Street just west of Fifth Avenue

Monday, November 21, 2011

Aerosoles Countdown to Black Friday

Stop over at the Aerosoles Facebook page as they have a "Countdown to Black Friday" contest going on now. Each day until Wednesday one winner gets a $100 Aerosoles gift card, then a grand prize winner is picked for a $500 shoe wardrobe.


Good luck! And stay tuned here for more Black Friday information. We'll be posting our annual Black Friday store info today and will be updating it all week. Except Thursday, when I plan on being offline for a whole 24 hours.


Aerosoles 36 West 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Friday, November 18, 2011

34th Street Weekend Sale Picks*: Pre-Black Friday

Starting Monday we should be posting the big Black Friday listing for hours and sale specials on 34th Street. The list will be updated till the day before Thanksgiving.



#1.  Gap 
Because they have $25 sweaters, $10 fluorescent shirts, and half off vests (examples all below, cords are also Gap, they come in several colors). Gap is also doing major Black Friday teasing leading up to the day itself, particularly if you are a GapCard holder. Ask at the Herald Square store about daily deals.






#2.  Macy's Herald Square
Because their winter shoes and boots are up to 50% off. Looks for outdoor boots on sale, and great deals in the racks, especially the Dolce Vitas, Betsey Johnson, and Lucky Brand shoes. No photos because my iPhone died, but trust me, there's plenty of eye candy on the 5th floor!  151 W. 34th Street


#3.  Joe Fresh 
Because I have to encourage you to shop this store one more time this week, the deals are so good, and not only the opening specials for $19. Listen to Shop the Garment District who commented on a post yesterday: "The outerwear is exceptionally priced for the quality."  215 W. 34th Street 










*all sale items are subject to change, please see stores for details.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Joe Fresh: Inside the 34th Street Store

Sorry to get all Joe Fresh for two days in a row, but I just came back from the store and I'm all flush with Joe Fresh excitement. Here's most of what I tried on, and some of what I purchased.


This coat is $89, if I remember correctly. I need to go back for it. Lined, hooded, adorable.



 Super, suede-like dress. Work appropriate, and good for cocktails, too.



Oh Heck Yeah. $79. These are mine.




Striped pencil skirt with pockets, bought it! The merino V is $19 through November 28th and comes in several other colors. I'm showing you my rear because the zipper is quality. Joe Fresh = superior quality at this price point.



You can't see so well in this iPhone photo, but this fringe mini is a skirt party. I can't believe I bought it because it's obscenely short, but I think I bought it because it's obscenely short.



Look for 34th Street's Joe Fresh at 215 W. 34th Street, just west of Seventh Avenue. I heard a rumor in-store that they will be open till June (!!) but official word is through the end of December. Don't forget, those $19 deals (on select merinos, shirts, jeans, and cords) last only through the 28th of November.



Joe Fresh 215 W. 34th Street

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Joe Fresh: The Specials, The Clothes, The Pop-Up

Opening deals at Joe Fresh, good through November 28.

As I seem unable this week to leave the morass that is my desk, I'm posting catalog shots of Joe Fresh merchandise. None of us can get down to 34th and Seventh fast enough to snatch up some of the below. The Joe Fresh holiday pop-up will be open through December '11.








Joe Fresh Holiday Pop-Up 
Open through December '11
215 W. 34th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

So Not Divided: H&M's Dragon Tattoo Collection

By now you have probably heard about H&M Divided's new upcoming line inspired by character Lisbeth Salander of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Even amid the Versace collab frenzy, this line has garnered a lot of media attention




And for good reason. The designer behind the collection is Trish Summerville, a highly respected Hollywood costume designer and stylist, and she's nailed this look. To celebrate the imminent arrival of an entire collection of tough, chic, biker-with-hoodie looks, I dropped by the Divided department at Herald Square and tried a few things on.




Almost every time I visit H&M I do a swing through Divided. Yes, it's designed for a younger me, but I'm constantly finding pieces that work with the older me. How cute would that cropped gold sweater be with a long black T and a maxi?



The jeans I'm wearing throughout are Divided Sqin skinnies I bought over a year ago, they are my standbys. I saw them in store just the other week, so look for the shiny, super sqins. The Dragon Tattoo collection is released in the US on December 14, mark your calendar!


H&M Herald Square 34th Street and Sixth Avenue