Sartorial (and other) impressions of NYC

[Mr. Checks]

Just returned from a glorious week in NYC (my first visit). Kind of felt like a stranger in my own land, although I've been to every other large city in the country.

Assorted and scattered thoughts:

- New York men love the black square-toes. It killed me to see a guy in a great suit, only to look down and see the unseemly black clogs. Shoes of AE quality and up seemed rare. Lots of nice suits, though.

- Not a single sighting of a NASCAR "3" (or, for that matter "8") hat or jacket. Thousands of men and not a single NASCAR shout-out. This nation is truly divided. Also a notable absence of college sweatshirts.

- The average level of dress is much better than where I live (see immediately preceding item)

- Lots of very, very well-dressed ladies in their late 20-early 40s.

- Actually hit an unannounced sale at Barneys and scored C & J cordovan bluchers for $279. Yes!

- After three visits to Bergdorf - just to stare - had to buy something out of guilt, and walked away with a very cool tan leather belt. What a fantastic store. I actually saw a human being wearing the Thom Browne high-waters.

- Met the charming Gabor Halmos of Vass at Bergdorf trunk show and viewed the stunning, fantastic collection. Not enough money to buy anything that day, but I'm saving my pennies. Pebble-grain was out of this world.

- Metropolitan Opera performance of Fidelio marred by a piss-poor substitution; left at intermission. Saw the stunning and fabulous Anna Netrebko in Pasquale (fantastic!). Sondheim Sweeney Todd (w/ Patti Lupone) was life-altering.

- Visited Macys/Bloomingdales/Saks/Lobb/Alden/J Press/Weston/Polo mansion (didn't mention jose's name) and every other store I could find. Service everywhere was good to excellent. Exception to the above: Century 21, which I didn't care for.

- New Yorkers don't deserve their reputation for rudeness. Many, many people overextended themselves to make our visit a fantastic experience.

- Best places for a single guy (not me) to meet women: cologne department at Saks/Macys/Bloomingdales; balcony section at the Met, Nick Arrojo hair salon in Soho.

- For a policymaker, New York City is a fascinating combination of capitalism and government regulation.

- Celebrities and "celebrities" spotted: Pink, Leigh from Antiques Roadshow, Kim Locke, Greg Anthony from ESPN/NBA, Nick Arrojo from What Not to Wear.

As another SF member noted to me, New York seems to make every other city look like a mere "town." It is overwhelming in the best way.

I left with a vow to return (often) and conspire to find some way to live there in the future. I'm saddened that that is highly unlikely to happen.

 

[Aaron]

Great to hear Check! NYC is one of those few cities I've visited where I always want to stay a little longer.

A.

 

[chorse123]

Glad to hear our city treated you well. It's not always the easiest place to live, but I think it more than makes up for it. Good deal on the shoes, too!

 

[Get Smart]

I agree that New Yorkers arent as rude as the stereotype. I found native NYers to be quite friendly, overall. Sounds like you had a great time.

 

[Mr. Checks]

Originally Posted by chorse123

Glad to hear our city treated you well. It's not always the easiest place to live, but I think it more than makes up for it. Good deal on the shoes, too!

I could tell that there are challenges but I was thrilled by the fact that all the things I love - museums, music, stores - are only minutes in any direction.

We were there for lousy weather, and never wanted for anything to do. I imagine that it might be hard to escape the din, though.

 

[Arethusa]

When I first moved to the East coast in middle school and went to New York, I was scared of all the stereotypes: New Yorkers would be mean, I would get mugged, etc.

Never have had a problem, and most people have been friendly where it mattered. There are things about New York I will definitely not miss, but there are also a lot of things I definitely will.

 

[rdawson808]

Checks, I'm jealous, I wish we had an entire week to spend. We are heading up on Fri for our 2nd annual Easter weekend NYC trip. We plan to see 25th Annual Putnam Co Spelling Bee, hit SYMS (to shop), JL (just to drool), Barneys, and a cuff-link store that Cuffthis recommended a while back. We will also be seeing the Munch show at MoMa. And then the Easter Parade on 5th. I really hope we run into the What Not To Wear crew and maybe catch the Cash Cab. That'd be cool.

bob

 

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by rdawson808

We will also be seeing the Munch show at MoMa.
It's good, actually MoMA in general is fantastic. Check out their design store in if you get a chance, really cool stuff.

A.

 

[aportnoy]

Sounds like a wonderful visit Mr C. I'm glad our city treated you well. My wife and I are seeing Sweeny Todd on April 21st, it sounds like the rave reviews are on target.

 

[rdawson808]

And on a related note, the same director will be doing Sondheim's Company this fall (Nov?).

bob

 

[chorse123]

I wasn't enamored with the Munch show, but the museum (extortionate entrance fee aside) is worth a visit.

 

[Mr. Checks]

Originally Posted by aportnoy

Sounds like a wonderful visit Mr C. I'm glad our city treated you well. My wife and I are seeing Sweeny Todd on April 21st, it sounds like the rave reviews are on target.

Hey, for once I could do a "this week's shoe damage" thread (if I knew how to use my digital camera).

Sweeney Todd was fantastic. After years of being an opera snob, it expanded my horizons. The Sweeney (Michael Cervaris) was superb.

 

[Mr. Checks]

Originally Posted by rdawson808

And on a related note, the same director will be doing Sondheim's Company this fall (Nov?).

bob


I saw that in Playbill. I'm not sure I want the instruments played on tage for every show I attend, but I'm planning on getting back there in Nov or Dec to see it if I can.
\\
BTW, Bob, don't take her to Tiffany's; there's a $650,000 engagement ring there.

 

[aportnoy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Checks

Hey, for once I could do a "this week's shoe damage" thread (if I knew how to use my digital camera).

Sweeney Todd was fantastic. After years of being an opera snob, it expanded my horizons. The Sweeney (Michael Cervaris) was superb.


Can't wait to see your "shoe damage" post! And thanks for the preview on Sweeney, I can't wait to see it.

 

[Earthmover]

Originally Posted by chorse123

I wasn't enamored with the Munch show, but the museum (extortionate entrance fee aside) is worth a visit.

I agree; the Munch show isn't quite as great as people make it out to be, but the MoMA in general is so phenomenal that one show shouldn't discourage anyone from going. Surprisingly enough, I found the Met's Fra Angelico exhibit to be quite awesome, although I always lean towards post-1880 art.

I think the single best room of the MoMA is the Futurist Room that greets with Unique Forms of Continuity in Space at its center. Really quite striking.