In the NYC theatre scene, the Garment District is the place to go for any notions, trims, or fabrics you could need. On Broadway, around 95% of all of the built costumes you see are built using materials found in the Garment District. The District itself and the stores in it have a lot of history, and everyone who has been there more than once has a favorite place to stop.
If you are interested in costume making or mending, this is the first place you’ll want to look. Even better, many of the shops here now have an online presence. Now you can order from the Garment District no matter where you are in the country!
Where Is The Garment District?
The Garment District is in Midtown, Manhattan. It spans less than a mile, typically with the stores lying between 34th Street and 41st Street, and then between 8th Avenue and 6th Avenue. There are a couple of stores that lie outside this zone, but generally, you will feel like you are truly in the heart of the Garment District between those blocks.
If you are visiting the garment district from outside NYC, it is a very easy walk from Penn Station, Grand Central Station, and Port Authority Bus Terminal.
When is the Garment District Open?
Because many of the businesses in the Garment District are local, the hours may vary a bit from store to store. Generally, you can find them open 9-5ish on weekdays, with some stores open for shorter hours on Saturdays. You may also arrive at a store thinking it is open, and find that the owner is on vacation and that they are closed.
There also might be mornings that the store opens an hour or two later than what is posted on the door. If there is a specific store that you are hoping to visit, you can always call the store ahead of time to make sure someone will be there when you arrive.
A Brief History of the Garment District
The Garment District has a long, intriguing history which is laid out in-depth on the Garment District Alliance’s own website. We highly recommend reading up on it!
There have been many trials and triumphs in the history of the Garment District.
It was founded in the 1800s, as the garment manufacturing industry was ramping up after the invention of the sewing machine. Fewer people were making their clothing at home.
At one point, the garment district was the nation’s center of textiles and fashion. Then, as more and more manufacturers started to make their clothing overseas, business in the Garment District dwindled.
Zoning laws and committees have been implemented at various points to help save the historic district. Still, many of the Broadway costume makers that once had shops in the district have been forced to leave as rents have gotten too unaffordable.
In current years, the fabric district has been changing fairly rapidly as businesses have had to downsize, move, and/or merge with other companies.
The pandemic and the Broadway Shutdown only made things worse, and many old favorites did not make it to the reopening of Broadway in 2021. There are more empty storefronts than ever. Currently, an estimated 50% of the storefronts and offices in the district are occupied by garment workers. Many other businesses such as corporate offices and tech companies have settled into empty spaces on the street.
Because of this, wardrobe teams on Broadway really make an effort to sometimes even go out of their way to support these small businesses.
Why Do I Need to Know about the Garment District as a Wardrobe Technician?
As a wardrobe person, you may not be expected to shop swatches or hunt for the trim that completes a look.
You may, however, find yourself as a shopper or Wardrobe PA whose job is to find a pink molded zipper, clear rulers, 5 tubes of Barge, magnets, dark brown thread, and a yard of beige souffle. You might also be tasked with finding spare buttons to match what is on a specific costume.
In wardrobe, there are plenty of fabrics and notions that are not necessarily design choices but are still integral to the design/ function of a specific costume. So at some point or another, you might find yourself sent down 8th Avenue with a list of all the items the wardrobe team needs to get your show up and running.
I Don’t Live Near NYC! Can I Still Order From NYC’s Garment District?
While the shops in the garment district can vary wildly with their policies, many of them now have an online presence. You can order from the Garment District no matter where you are in the country!
Understanding Each Store’s Policies
The heart of the Garment District is that most (if not all) of the stores on this list are locally owned. Many are even family-owned. Because of this, you will find each store in the Garment District has different rules.
For example, some stores may insist you have a tray or basket in your hand that all of your merchandise goes directly into.
Some stores do not want you moving bolts of fabric or removing buttons from the boxes– they want workers to handle that.
Generally, assume that no cutting is allowed in the stores unless otherwise noted.
Some shops will assign a worker to go through the shop with you, or at least follow you closely, in case you need anything.
Some stores are cash only.
If you have a job working as a shopper or wardrobe PA in the city, you will start recognizing many of the workers from the different stores. They will also recognize you, and you might even get to know some of them! Because of this, it is possible to get on the bad side (or the good side!) of some of the people you will meet. Generally, the people in the Garment District are some of the most helpful workers you will ever meet. They are known to go above and beyond to help you in a pinch.
As a new shopper in the Garment District, remember to be kind and patient. Business in the Garment District comes in waves. NYC events such as fashion week, college finals, or the opening of a big Broadway show might cause some mayhem in certain stores. There may be days when you might need to bring some understanding and grace with you as you hunt for the perfect button.
Can I Swatch in The Garment District?
You may see people in the stores in the fabric district take out a pair of scissors and swatch some fabric. DO NOT take this as an invitation to do so yourself.
The people you see might be regulars who work on a show, or in a shop that works closely with that store, and there could be a special agreement in place for that person ONLY.
When you go to a new store in the garment district, you first want to check for any signs posted that have the store’s policies laid out. If you do not see a sign, kindly ask someone working there to explain their store’s policy to you– and make sure to introduce yourself and mention the show or theatre you are working with.
After learning what the store’s swatching policy is, DO NOT break their rules. It is not unheard of for rule breakers to be banned from these stores for disobeying their policies.
Important Stores to Know in New York City’s Garment District
Keep in mind, These aren’t the only stores in the Garment District. The following stores are simply the typical stores one will frequent as a wardrobe shopper on a show. There are also some stores we haven’t been to since the pandemic, and we can’t speak to whether or not they are still there.
Even if you know only about these specific stores in the Garment District, you can be an extremely effective wardrobe shopper.
Coming Soon: Click on each store’s name for an in-depth look at each shop!
Fabric
| Store Name | Address | Operating Hours | Product Description | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mood Fabrics | 225 W 37th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 9-6 Sat; 10-5 Sun; Closed | Furs, Suiting, Upholstery, Vinyl, Tulle “Fun” Fabrics. & More | Mood Fabrics |
| B&J Fabrics | 525 7th Ave, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 8:45- 5:45 Closed Weekends | Fancy Fabrics, Sparkle, Souffle, cotton weaves. “Unique” Fabrics & More | B&J Fabrics |
| New York Elegant Fabrics | 242 W 36th St. 2nd floor, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 12-5 Closed Weekends | “Plain” fabrics, Cottons, Linings & More | NY Elegant |
| Spandex House | 263 W 38th St #8e, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 9-6 Sat; 10-5 Sun; Closed | Stretch Fabrics Knits | Spandex House |
Trim
| Store Name | Address | Operating Hours | Product Description | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M&J Trimming | 1008 Sixth Avenue Between 37th & 38th Sts. New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 9:30-6 Sat; 10-6 Sun; 11-6 | Buttons, Patches, Some notions & More | M&J Trimming |
| Pacific Trimming | 220 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 9-6 Sat; 10-6 Sun; Closed | Closures, Magnets Buttons, Hooks Sparkles, Some Notions & More | Pacific Trimming |
| B&Q Trimmings | 102 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018 | M-S; 11-6 Sun; Closed | Feathers Sequins Studs & More | B&Q Trimmings |
| East Coast Trimming | 142 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 10-5 Closed Weekends | Vintage Trims | East Coast Trimming |
| Lou Lou Buttons | 71 West 38th St, New York, NY 10018 | Every Day; 11-5:30 | Buttons Custom Buttons | Lou Lou Buttons |
Notions
| Store Name | Address | Operating Hours | Product Description | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIL Thread | 257 W 38th St. Ground Floor New York, NY, 10018 | M-F; 8:30-5 Sat; 9-3 Sun; Closed | Thread, Tools, YKK Zippers & More | SIL Thread |
| Steinlauf & Stoller Inc. | 221 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 8-5:30 Closed Weekends | Interfacing, Tools, “Costume Guts” & More | Steinlauf & Stoller Inc. |
| Panda Thread | 247 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 9-6 Closed Weekends | Thread, Zippers | Panda Thread |
| Manhattan Wardrobe Supply | 245 W 29th St 8th floor, New York, NY 10001 | M-F; 10-5:45 Closed Weekends | Paints, Shoe Tools, Thread, Craft Stuff & More | Manhattan Wardrobe Supply |
| Botani | 263 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 9-5 Closed Weekends | Clothing Hardware, Trim & More | Botani |
| Mood | 225 W 37th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 9-6 Sat; 10-5 Sun; Closed | Tools, Thread | Mood Fabrics |
Other
| Store Name | Address | Operating Hours | Product Description | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOHOSHOJI(NY)INC. | 4 Bryant Park, Store #2, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 10-5 Closed Weekends | Jewelry Making | TOHOSHOJI(NY)INC. |
| Manhattan Wardrobe Supply | 245 W 29th St 8th floor, New York, NY 10001 | M-F; 10-5:45 Closed Weekends | Wardrobe/ Backstage Supplies | Manhattan Wardrobe Supply |
| Star Snaps | 262 W 38th St, 3rd Floor, Suite 307, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 8:30-6:30 Sat; 9:30-4:30 Sun; Closed | Snaps and Grommets | n/a |
| Jonathan Embroidery Plus | 256 W 38th St 1st fl, New York, NY 10018 | M-F; 9-6 Sat; 9-2 Sun; Closed | Embroidery Buttonholes | n/a |
Garment District (NYC) Map
Coming Soon!
Attractions
The Garment Worker Statue
By: Judith Weller
Location: The corner of 39th St & 7th Ave (Right next to the Big Button statue)
The Big Button Statue
Newly updated: February 2023
Location: The corner of 39th St & 7th Ave
Read More
Guide to Zipper Type and Selection
What is your favorite store in The Garment District? Do you have any Garment District Favorites that aren’t included in this list? Let us know in the comments!
