It started happening about 15 years ago and by the early 2000’s it was over. New York is a suburban mall now. With all of the large chain stores around, I don’t see much of a difference heading out to Long Island or New Jersey to get the same exact items and not have to brave inclement weather or slow moving tourists.

I don’t have clothes. I do messy work from home and sell at flea markets. I used to be really into clothes, but I never go out. Now, with a 5 week long gift show coming up, I realize that I can’t show up in my painting clothes every day. Hence, I need an entire wardrobe by Thanksgiving.

Yesterday I had 3 hours in Manhattan to buy said wardrobe. I made my way from Grand Central down to Broadway Lafayette, zig-zagging east and west.

I hit Daffy’s Herald Square and nearly teared up (in a good way). I found myself stacking up in pants and dresses that I actually loved….and they were all decent prices. Oh yeah, and well made too! The reason I can’t bring myself to spend money on new clothes is because they are so poorly made! But I had designer jeans from Italy and dresses from USA in my hands, and they were like 20-50 bucks!

Then came the dressing room. NOTHING. FIT. I cried to the attendant and she tried to console me by saying “Look honey, these designer clothes run a size or two smaller. I don’t know who their models are, but they are not made for real women.” I chose to believe her because they did look small for a size *2, but alas, there was nothing nice in larger sizes. Is this because they don’t make them or because they sold out??

So, Daffy’s was a bit fat tease. Let’s see, where else did I go?

Cheap Jacks, formerly on Broadway near Union Square is now on 31st and 5th. I swear I used to be able to find some nice things there. Now it’s all $100+ and wasn’t even nice. Jack ain’t so cheap.

H&M, where I often shop, looked crappy to me after what I found at Daffy’s.

Tried Daffy’s on 18th, but it’s now an H&M. Did this happen years ago and I just realized?

Angel Street was closed for an event.

Housing Works: Scored! A single pair of Levi’s for $5. Four sizes too big. I’ll wear a belt or grow into them.

Loehmann’s. Meh. Wasn’t impressed with current selection. (Hey, does anyone remember the original Loehmann’s on Bedford?)

Screaming Mimi’s. Nothing, but I did think long and hard about a fabulous faux leopard poncho for $150. I might’ve worn it once. Or never.

I’ve gotta take one more day to do this. Where should I go? Century 21? Another Daffy’s? Because if I could find what I found in larger sizes, I’d be a happy camper.

And now, let’s take a moment of silence for the stores where I used to shop that no longer exist (or aren’t that good anymore):

Unique Boutique

Reminiscence

Zoot

Domsey’s

Canal Jeans

Alice Underground

* Size has been changed to protect the innocent.