Saks and the city Four girls hit New York to shop & save /2007
Clare s off the starting blocks right away, buying two dresses from a slightly dodgy-looking store called Arcade. She got change from a $20 bill that s less than a tenner. I m uncharacteristically slow but fall in love with some wonderful shoes. Clare says I have a similar pair at home so I resist. Ros starts the seemingly endless task of present buying for her three children. Fortunately not too difficult in New York.
Showing astonishing restraint, it s Day Two before the hardcore buying habit kicks in. First stop is Bloomingdale s the third most popular tourist attraction in New York after The Empire State and the Statue of Liberty. I splash out on a DKNY evening watch, a replacement for one recently lost. It costs me $162 ( 77.20) against a retail price back home of 150. Very good start! You can get almost any brand here and the cosmetics department alone can take an afternoon.
At the MAC counter I find myself standing next to the Duchess of York (also taking advantage of the exchange rate and who can blame her?) Strangely, the assistants don t seem interested in me. Still, when you re paying half-price for your lip gloss a bit of attitude can be forgiven. Upstairs, Ros and Clare are determined to buy jeans and Roma needs holiday clobber. Having tried on almost every brand known to man, all three find the perfect jeans.
Not to be left out I buy the most impractical dress ever from Diesel. It s reduced from $188 to $54 (barely 26) so it seems silly not to. With a train and a plunging front, it s not exactly something to wear down at Asda. Roma, meanwhile, buys so many T-shirts she is rewarded with four free Bloomingdale s tote bags one each. More bags to fill! The afternoon is dedicated to discount clothing store Century 21. This place is huge and the bargains are overwhelming.