New York: I Heart Forever 21

Heading to New York on a blow out shopping trip?  Don’t fall for the charms of outlet stores such as Woodbury Common.  Unless you’re a total label queen, you’ll spend most of your time trying to figure out the cheap photocopied map.   Instead grab a cab to SoHo and hit the one off boutiques and chain stores. Forever 21  http://www.forever21.com/ is a real gem!  If you’ve got an event coming up, head straight to the basement to what must be the largest selection of dresses of any fashion chain.  They’ve got every possible colour and trend!    Across the street you’ll find Exstanzia, a really cute boutique (deceptively spacious by the way).  They’ve got a fantastic selection of unusual tops, t-shirts and dresses all around the $20 mark!  Spanish chain Mango is just down the street from here.  Brace yourself if you’re a fan of “Mary Queen of Shops”.  This is one shop that has got it going on when it comes to store layout.    Mary Portas would definitely approve of the catwalk complete with mannequins that runs the length of the store.  The antique oriental chairs are a nice touch too!