Macy's

Profile

As the world's largest department store and a registered New York City landmark, Macy's is more a shopping empire than mere retailer. Nine floors of merchandise, from beauty products and men's fashion to dinnerware and designer slip dresses, fill the store's one million square feet of retail space—that's one solid city block of stuff, eight stories high. Each and every day, thousands of sightseers and city dwellers coast through the glass and wrought iron doors on 34th Street into the mammoth Herald Square flagship, Macy's home since 1902. But while the store is best known for accessible mid-range fashions, there's more than souvenir logo T-shirts, Calvin Klein sportswear and A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz celebrity-copycat gowns; Macy's inventory of housewares and kitchen gadgets exceed most other city stores, and its furniture and mattress departments are affordable alternatives to the city's higher-end designer showrooms. Ride the old-fashioned wooden escalator to the sixth floor to browse the growing stock of luxury linens by designers like Kate Spade and Oscar de la Renta. In the home department, find enough All Clad and Calphalon kitchenware to operate your own bistro; for something to put in your new pot and pans, head to the cellar-level market for gourmet prepared and packaged foods, baked goods, fancy condiments, designer chocolates and more. — Molly Noonan

Key Departments

Shoes, Women

Occupying two floors, Macy's shoe department stands as a gigantic store in itself. Just past the cocktail dresses on the fourth floor is a winding path of casual, comfort-built footwear, like Easy Spirit walking shoes and Naturalizer mules. Find sleeker designs on the fifth floor, including Charles David slides and BCBGirls stilettos.

Children's Clothing

Despite its size, Macy's is surprisingly kid-friendly, with an entire floor devoted to trendy children's apparel and nursery accessories. When attention spans run short from eying Baby Phat dresses and Carter's overalls, treat them to a Happy Meal at the McDonald's on the same floor.

Bridal Gowns

The venerable department store opened its huge new bridal suite in 2005 (complete with its own walkway platform), but the service remains one-on-one. Macy's carries its exclusive Demetrios collection of traditional gowns, simple designs by Marisa, Maggie Sottero's wrap-front, corset-back dresses, and much more. Call to find out about special deals.

Lingerie

Count on its jumbo lingerie department for plenty of basics—bras, panties, girdles, and nighties in every conceivable combination of Lycra and lace. All the usual Americans are represented, from Warner’s to Ralph and Calvin.

Bridesmaids

This department store’s dresses, the selection of which is pretty consistent across its stores nationwide, include a solid selection of designer-inspired styles from A.B.S. by Alan Schwartz, and designers like Calvin Klein and Maggy London.

Men's Formalwear

This well-priced store has one of the biggest suit selections in town; you’ll also find a selection of tuxedos by designers like Lauren by Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss.

Children's Formalwear

Manhattan’s bedrock of retail can easily deck out wedding-bound tots of all ages. If you want your newborn to dazzle in white, check out the ivory Tommy Hilfiger Cuddly Double Quilt set.

Bridal Shoes

Macy’s has one of the largest and most democratic shoe departments in the city: Big-name bridal vendors like Stuart Weitzman, Via Spiga, and Adrienne Vittadini are mixed in with less expensive chain-store brands (Nine West, Esprit). There’s always a good selection of white and silver options.

Men's Watches

Predictably, this midtown mainstay is packed with affordable watches from companies like Kenneth Cole and DKNY. But Macy’s also stocks high-end pieces from venerable European makers like Tissot, Movado, Bulova, and Gucci.

Registry

The Cellar has high-end items (Calphalon cookware) as well as lower-priced versions. Upstairs, there’s china, bedding from Ralph, DKNY, and Calvin, and much more.

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