Living, or even vacationing, in one of the world's fashion capitals can be hard on the wallet.  A fashion conscious population and an innumerable amounts of retailers encourage us to shop, hard.  But shopping full price fashion, especially on a budget, can still be a headache.  That is where the discount store comes in.  They first appeared following WWII using a high volume, low- profit margin strategy to attract price-conscious shoppers.  And today, for price and fashion conscious consumers, there are discount designer stores that offer high volume designer merchandise at lowered ticket prices so that you can buy without getting Rosie the Riveter arms trying to squeeze extra pennies out of every dollar.  Here are some of the best designer discount stores New York City has to offer.

 

Daffy's discount store offers great quality pieces from European labels to homegrown brands for a fraction of the cost.  You may have to roll up your sleeves and dive in head first into the thickets of densely packed racks to find your desired designer item in the rough, since the best arrivals get scraped away in a New York minute.  But finding those few winning pieces will be worth the trouble.  The first thing to look out for in Daffy's - the latest trends!

 

Century 21 is the largest discount department store on our list, but they have the largest supply of discounted designer goods.  A trip to Century won't be a stroll and buy.  You'll need to eat before you go and stay hydrated to traverse the extensive two floors for ladies, main floor for mens, and home goods and electronics in the basement of the Financial District location.  The best department to shop at Century - mens! The mens section is usually well organized with unbelievable deals on designer suits and jeans.

 

Burlington Coat Factory is home for discounted overstocked designer goods like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Jones New York, and DKNY.  The racks are fairly easy to sift through, and aren't swarmed by tourists, making it a New Yorker's go-to for an easy shop of mainstream fashion at a fraction of the price.  The best piece to pick up at Burlington - unsurprisingly, a coat!

 

Beacon's Closet is already a choice consignment shop for New Yorkers in hot pursuit of discounted designer garments, in addition to amazing vintage pieces.  Since some of New York's most fashionable urbanites frequent Beacon's, they're appropriately stocked with the chicest apparel.  The best thing about shopping Beacon's closet - other shoppers! You're bound to find style inspiration from other shoppers as much as you will in the racks.  

 

INA famously scored the Sex in the City wardrobe when the show ended, and since has worked hard to keep their reputation as a top discount consignment shop.  We could list all the designer labels, but there's no need.  The inventory is constantly changing, though always impressive.  And the prices will keep dropping until an item has sold!  The best things to pick up at INA - timeless designer staples for your wardrobe.  But beware, sizes tend to be on the small side since a lot of their goodies are photo shoot and runway drop offs.

 

Gabay's is the East Village's best kept discount designer secret.  They can offer you the finest in men's and women's shoes, as well as womenwear, since their inventory comes from the surplus of department stores like Bergdorf.  The best way to shop Gabay's - join their mailing list to receive shipments alerts so you can be the first to snag those new YSL pumps!

 

Giselle has been a modest  fixture on Orchard Street since 1979.  The very organized four floor mini department store of designer discounts caters to more mature women in search of traditional fashions.  And if you find the styles too conservative for your taste, stop thinking about yourself and try shopping a cute holiday gift of your mom or aunt. The best reason to shop Giselle - for affordable gift giving a woman-of-a-certain-age without dealing with raucous racks of clothing.