I had some time to kill after work the other day so I walked the couple blocks up to Herald Square. This is generally someplace I would advise anybody other than first time tourists to avoid. Once you've seen it its best to keep your distance and avoid the hordes of tourists gawking at three of New York's biggest draws; the Empire State Building, 34th Street Macy's and fake bag vendors. It is, unfortunately, the closest good H&M to my work and I highly recommend their slim fit pants. So, after weaving through the crowds with purpose and declining offers of "Rolex" watches I turned the corner and was greeted by an unexpected but most welcome sight. This fall Herald Square will be welcoming the second, much needed, Uniqlo store to US soil!
Uniqlo, for those who are unfamiliar, is Japan's equivalent of H&M or Topshop. Their men's clothes, like their Swedish and British competitors, generally trend toward slimmer fits and toned down styles that are less expensive versions of runway looks The difference, however, is that unlike H&M which is not always the greatest quality and Topshop which is higher style but grossly overpriced (I don't know if its the English pound conversion, but you're paying J-Crew prices for H&M quality), Uniqlo tends to have a slightly higher construction quality while keeping a low cost. The specialize in closet essentials rather than passing fads and its a great place to stock up on the fundamental pieces that are the foundation of a stylish wardrobe.
While I"m sure the new store will be just as busy as its Soho counterpart, it will bring a fresh option to the Herald Square shopping area which tends to lean toward family favorite mall shops (Gap, Express and Aldo) rather than forward thinking hot spots like Uniqlo. I doubt I'll be waiting in line the first day it opens, but I will certainly take full advantage of its close proximity to work.