The Choosy Beggar

Don’t think of Century 21 so much as a discount department store, but as the setting for a classic odyssey tale, where you must overcome treacherous obstacles like a sea of downtown commuters, hordes of tourist shoppers, and unknown labels intent on luring you off course and into sartorial wastelands. Those who survive are rewarded with some of the best deals in town. Expect deep discounts on a variety of high-end labels from Yves Saint Laurent and Ralph Lauren Black Label, to John Varvatos and Adam Kimmel.

Bloomingdale’s was one of the city’s first high-end department stores. Long since overshadowed by Bergdorf’s and Barneys, Bloomies has more recently sought to reestablish its position as a top destination for sophisticated shoppers. With labels like Trovata, Unis, and Paul Smith, its Soho location could now be mistaken Barneys Co-Op. You’ll find similar offering at its recently refurbished men’s department in Midtown, as well as suits and formalwear from Aquascutum, Canali and Armani.

Don’t expect many “Blondes” at this Bergdorf. This fashion fortress on the corner of Fifth Ave. and 58th St. is a clubby men’s lair, and always stocked with the Western World’s most exclusive designers. Yet, along with Charvet dress shirts and Etro blazers, expect less prohibitively priced fare like Barbour wax jackets and Varvatos chukka boots.

Along with BBlessing’s own line of gothic-influenced, custom-cut menswear, expect Rag and Bone jeans and shoes by Chausser and Raf Simons.

From fashion mecca to formalwear standby to the biggest sale(s) of the year, Barneys means many things to many New Yorkers. Visit Barneys HQ on Madison Ave. for your pick of the season’s top designers, more dress shoes than you can image, and six variations on the classic tux. Drop by Barneys Co-op for more “youthful” offerings, or bide your time for the semiannual Barneys Warehouse Sale, where miles of designer gear, business attire and everything in between awaits at up to 80% off retail.