Century 21 in Manhattan

[blank]

So I moved to Manhattan a few weeks ago and last week I finally made it to Century 21.

Holy ****, what a clusterfuck.

I'd never seen such a smorgasbord of designer menswear nestled next to off-off-off-off brand dreck and so many people crawling through the stairs and the strange side rooms.

And yet among all of it, I walked out with nothing. I went with the intention of buying a blazer, but I couldn't find anything my size. They had some Acne Jeans blazers, but all in an XL. MERC blazers, all too big. No Theory blazers in my size that weren't black.

What is the strategy with this store? Anyway to know when good casual (i.e. not suits) menswear drops? I'd love to go in there next time they get some Acne Blazers, or in general anytime they get a decent drop. They had some great brands (Costume National, Margiela, Hickey, Polo, tons of Purple Label stuff, Nudie, Acne, Filippa K) but not much size selection, I say.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

You really just have to go, roll up your sleeves and dig and look.

 

[blank]

Oh, I did...among other things, I sucked in and squeezed through the racks of blazers and jackets on the first floor, digging for anything grey or brown or even black in my size with no luck.

I guess what I'm asking is, how often to go back? How often do they get new shipments, and when they do, do they hold items back or put everything out?

 

[alliswell]

Welcome to Manhattan, and remember that shopping in Century 21 is like dating over the age of 30 - everything on the shelf has been picked over at least once before, and is still there for a reason.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

You should go up to the balcony and check out the rooms back there where it is a bit more "designery."

I'm in the FiDi a few times a month and maybe once out of those times I'll just poke in (since it is usually middle of the day on a week day and not a horrific septic tank of people)...I usually just come out with 1 or 2 ties and some underwear.

 

[LA Guy]

Century 21 is for the sport shopper. If you are looking for something specific (say, an Acne blazer in your size) you are much better served going to a boutique or department store that carries Acne.

However, if you like treasure hunting, Century 21 is decent (although not by far the best - Filene's Basement is often better) Prepare to spend a fair bit of time, and typically come away with nothing.

 

[cd1]

What is the general stock of Filene's Basement like in comparison to Century 21?

 

[amerikajinda]

Originally Posted by letmebefell

Remember that shopping in Century 21 is like dating over the age of 30 - everything on the shelf has been picked over at least once before, and is still there for a reason.

Wow, great quote!

Definitely "Quote of the Day"...

 

[mack11211]

Originally Posted by SoCal2NYC

I'm in the FiDi a few times a month .
I've never heard it called that. Is this common? [striking sincerely naive pose]

Originally Posted by blank

Holy ****, what a clusterfuck.
I think they've got their new slogan.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Originally Posted by mack11211

I've never heard it called that. Is this common?

[striking sincerely naive pose]




Why not? The city is full of abbreviations. Why not say FiDi (F-eye, Dye) instead of Financial District when we already have SoHo, DUMBO and Tribeca while speaking and in print you have UWS, UES, HK and EV.

 

[mack11211]

I'm not deriding it.

I'm just noting it because I've never heard it before.

My favorite new-neighborhood name never quite caught on: it was for for the Museum Tower adjacent and almost immediately over the Museum of Modern Art, or JoMoMa.

 

[amerikajinda]

Originally Posted by mack11211

My favorite new-neighborhood name never quite caught on: it was for for the Museum Tower adjacent and almost immediately over the Museum of Modern Art, or JoMoMa.

No wait! This is the quote of the day!!

 

[amerikajinda]

I've been to Century 21 a handful of times and it really is hit or miss... nice Isaia suits last time I was there!

 

[blank]

Originally Posted by LA Guy

Century 21 is for the sport shopper. If you are looking for something specific (say, an Acne blazer in your size) you are much better served going to a boutique or department store that carries Acne.

However, if you like treasure hunting, Century 21 is decent (although not by far the best - Filene's Basement is often better) Prepare to spend a fair bit of time, and typically come away with nothing.

Yes, Filene's Basement is always > any other bargain store.

That's the Bostonian in me.

 

[kiya]

I can't stand Century 21, it's basically exactly the opposite in what i like about a retail clothing store.