Cheap things to do: Best designer discount stores

Daffy’s Forty-eight years ago, Daffy Dan’s Bargain Town started off as a modest discount store in Jersey; today it has nine NYC outposts. Stock varies from store to store, and new merchandise comes in every week, so scoring that coveted haute loot might require a little patience, or just luck. But it’s all worth it to find supercheap Tracy Reese, Cynthia Rowley and DKNY garb. Various locations; daffys.com

Filene’s Basement The bargain palace’s West Side location is often crowd-free, meaning you’re less likely to resort to fisticuffs over discounted hoodies. It’s the calmest place in the city to find True Religion jeans for $130 or Prada sunglasses for under $100. Various locations; filenesbasement.com

Loehmann’s Plucking surplus stock, samples and canceled orders from Seventh Avenue designers, founder Frieda Loehmann started this venerable discount emporium in 1921 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Since then, it’s become a go-to spot for bargain hounds. Though oft crowded and cramped (the space between the racks might afflict any shopper with claustrophobia), its floors offer major markdowns on current and off-season clothes and accessories for the entire family, along with housewares. The dressing room situation is communal, but we suggest getting over your modesty quickly—you’ll want to try on everything in the Back Room, filled with posh brands such as Valentino, Prada and Armani. Various locations; loehmanns.com

Century 21 Save up to 75 percent at this deal-hunter’s mecca, where you can snag Pucci dresses, Marc Jacobs sweaters and Gucci suits for a relative song. Go early in the morning to avoid teeming crowds and focus on the overlooked sections (men’s, lingerie). 22 Cortlandt St between Broadway and Church St (212-227-9092, c21stores.com) • 472 86th St between Fourth and Fifth Aves, Bay Ridge; Brooklyn (718-748-3266)

Clothingline This savvy company is like a stylish friend who knows when and where all the best sales are. And luckily, you needn’t haul ass around town, since Clothingline hosts its markdown fests (usually 50 to 80 percent off) in one location, unloading goods directly from voguish labels including Helmut Lang and Theory. 261 W 36th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves, second floor (212-947-8748, clothingline.com)

Gabay’s We won’t ever pay full price at Bergdorf’s again (not like we could afford to in the first place). This East Village shop gets most of its goods from fine department stores’ surpluses, and then slaps them with insane discounts. Look for lots of Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs and Chanel. 225 First Ave between 13th and 14th Sts (212-254-3180, gabaysoutlet.com)

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Cheap things to do in New York City
Save while taking advantage of the city's bounty.