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Century 21

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Century 21 Review

For many New Yorkers this downtown fixture—right across the street from the former World Trade Center site—remains the mother lode of discount shopping. Four floors are crammed with everything from Marc Jacobs shoes and half-price cashmere sweaters to Donna Karan sheets, though you'll have to sift through racks and fight the crowds to find the gems. Best bets for men are shoes and designer briefs; the full floor of designer women's wear can yield some dazzling finds, such as a Calvin Klein leather trench coat for less than $600. Don't miss the children's section, either, for brands like Ralph Lauren and Ed Hardy. Since lines for the communal dressing rooms can be prohibitively long, do what the locals do: wear leggings and change discreetly in the aisles.

    Contact Information

  • Address: 22 Cortlandt St., between Broadway and Church St., Lower Manhattan, New York, NY, 10007 | Map It
  • Phone: 212/227-9092
  • Website: www.c21stores.com
  • Subway: R to Cortlandt St.
  • Location: Financial District

Other location

  • 1972 Broadway, Between 66th and 67th Sts., Upper West Side, New York, NY, 10023, 212/518 2121
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Fodorite Reviews

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  • Value  

    Too crowded and chaotic

    I just don't have the patience to wade through piles of ugly, cheap clothing to find the good stuff. I do check out Century 21 periodically but try to go early in the morning before work, when it's less crowded. I have more luck with basics (I wouldn't buy pantyhose, tights or socks anywhere else) than designer fashions.

    For bargains on clothing basics, I prefer Syms a few blocks south. Syms doesn't have the same range as Century 21, and doesn't have any high-end designer labels, but it is a great place to shop for coats (for men and women) and men's clothing.

    by frogoutofwater, 8/20/08
  • Value  

    Gigantic Hassle

    I found that the aggrevation of waaaay to many people and the way everything is just jam packed makes it not a pleasent shopping experience at all. The jewlery counter is next to impossible to get to to look at anything, and if you are lucky enough to find something to buy, it will take you forever to check it out.The times I have been to New York, I have a much better experience at Filene's Basement.

    by justjanh, 7/31/08
  • Value  

    Not so great

    After many friends told me how great Century 21 was I finally made it there on recent trip to NYC. It was a disaster. 4pm on a Tuesday and the place looked like a bomb hit it. The lines were super long. It was so tightly packed and disorganized.. I would not go back to this place.

    by egrace, 7/24/08

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