Just got back from NYC...

Hit up most of the spots in my limited time -- Odin on Lafayette, Atrium, Lounge, 45RPM, Nom de Guerre, BBlessing, aNYthing, John Varvatos, Blue in Green...didn't really have much time and it didn't help that I went on foot from Soho out to Orchard St.

Odin had some great stuff but the staff was pretty unhelpful. Considering I was the only person in the store, it would've been nice to at least get a "hello." Anyways, they were out of my size in the Surface to Air hoodie and a Trovata longsleeve knit that I liked. Probably going to order the S2A online or buy it when I'm back home in Montreal next week (supposedly Reborn sells S2A).

Atrium was just too goddamned big and busy. Some good stuff, but my time was limited. Tried on some hoodies and t-shirts but I didn't want to spend an hour there getting the sizes right.

Lounge sucks.

45 RPM is just a great store. Very cool interior, very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff. I bought a pair of O/W Sorahikos and got them hemmed for free. They're really all they're cracked up to be, but I find the lower leg is a little loose and baggy (does that make sense?).

Went to Nom de Guerre twice. I loved the store itself. Staff seemed standoffish at first but after I started trying stuff on, instantly became much more helpful. Bought a plain black longsleeve polo for $72 (down from $180). I find the fabric very comfortable but it's also very thin so it seems flimsy...I'm worried about tearing it. Anyways, most of the stuff in the store is definitely NOT for my 5'6", 160 lbs. frame (or for most people, I guess). Disappointing because I really like the understated designs.

BBlessing had some great stuff (a nicer Odin) but I rushed myself there. Definitely on the list when I go back.

Was not a fan of aNYthing, though that was a non-SF rec.

Liked some of the John Varvatos sweaters but they're too expensive. Ditto with Marc Jacobs.

Finally, Blue in Green. Really not impressed by the store (the jeans are a different story). Nothing was in my size, the staff seemed confused and considering that I didn't really know what I wanted, didn't do much to "point" me towards anything. I tried on a pair of Warehouses and tried to squeeze into a pair of Canes that were just waaaaaaay too small (they only had a 31, I'm a 34). Liked the Warehouses but they didn't seem like anything special -- certainly not as special as the other brands there or the Sorahikos.

Paul Smith, Barney's were both closed by the time I got to them. Couldn't find Atelier. I lost my list of stores and forgot to go to Union and Supreme.

i think union carries Engineered Garments, or they used to at least. So odd seeing it there.

**** I gotta start putting a plan together for my trip in a couple months. I am not planning on buying ****.

Originally Posted by leftover_salmon

Click to expand...

BBlessing had some great stuff (a nicer Odin) but I rushed myself there. Definitely on the list when I go back.

Did you only have like 2 min to go there? You can see the whole store in 5 flat.

Was there any Patrik Ervell that was worthwhile?

Just to give Odin some credit - I had a pretty good experience there, even though I didn't buy anything. There were maybe 3 or 4 people working (which seemed like a lot) and the older of them (manager I'm assuming) was really friendly - greeted us when we came in and took time to show my brother stuff from the jewelry case.

The was another tall, skinny guy rocking the *****-fro in a really dumb looking blazer that kinda had an attitude but he might just have been showing off to the girl that was there talking to him..... he looked like a tool in a blazer on a 90 degree day.

The other staff seemed kinda indifferent but we didn't have any direct interaction with them... either way - cool store.

Atrium - they loved the Paul Frank shirt I was wearing, I got like, 3 compliments in there!

and I just want to say again how nice the people at the APC store were. The girls in the jeans/tshirts section in the back were fantastic. Gave plenty of advice about sizing and were happy to help us try stuff on.

I've had a similar experience at Odin...

its like they don't care if you walk in or not as they're stuff is probably too good for you anyway..... thats the attitude I was feelin' when I walked in.

I think that's part of the shopping experience that Odin tries to give to its customers: i.e. they don't jump on you right away to tell you that such and such hoodie is the latest thing, they let you browse without interference (which may be construed as not caring or snubbing) - but if/when you need help or more information, they are extremely friendly and helpful. I've been there fifteen times and have always had a good experience, along the lines I just described

^ I guess I can understand that, it's a different environment than say, Denim Bar where they give you a big smile and a "what can I help you find today" type of vibe... not necessarily a bad thing as long as they do help when you ask for it. NdG, on the other hand - the dude didn't even acknowledge us or look up from his laptop when we walked in, he didn't take off his headphones or anything. He was standoffish to the point that I didn't really feel comfortable asking him about their products.

I personally would rather salespeople leave me alone then be overbearing. Whevever I go to Saks or Neiman's I always have to brush off like 3-4 salespeople before I can even browse, which annoys me to no end.

Originally Posted by drizzt3117

Click to expand...

I personally would rather salespeople leave me alone then be overbearing. Whevever I go to Saks or Neiman's I always have to brush off like 3-4 salespeople before I can even browse, which annoys me to no end.
I'm just like you

Originally Posted by gdl203

Click to expand...

I'm just like you

add another.

I don't get folks who feel like they're being slighted if no one approaches them or even says hello. As long as they're available when I need them to be, I don't care about being approached or even acknowledged when I walk in.

I agree, i hate when salespeople stalk me and ask if they can find something for me or offer to take some stuff for me and start a dressing room. I just like to browse around and think about things before i start making decisions.

When i went to blue in green last winter, they were really helpful and always reccomending me jeans that were similar to the ones i was looking for and helping me with sizing down issues. I guess it depends on who is working.

I also would second the 45rpm thing. They're really great there and the store/clothes are fantastic(albeit too expensive for me). I had never been to new york before and didn't know exactly what i was doing and the guy told me how to find blue in green and nom de guerre even though i didn't buy anything.

On the sorahikos, you could always have them tailored to a slightly slimmer lower leg. It's not that invasive and a relatively safe procedure that should fix the problem you're encountering. I was thinking about a pair but had the same reservations about the fit.

I don't want salespeople to follow me around the store either, but all it takes is a simple greeting as an acknowledgement that value you as a customer

someone should make a good NYC guide i am going to be going there for in the beg. of Aug for the daft punk show and need to plan my shopping (never really been there before for clothes) i def will check out APC BiG Uniqlo 45 rpm do you guys recommend anything else? (looking for fashionable not too expensive casual wear and stuff) and expensive jeans

nom de guerre and odin. If you run a search there has already been 2-3 new york shopping threads