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The Best Shopping in New York City
Our favorite stores in America's fashion capital...
Shopping one of the most bustling cities on Earth can seem daunting at first. After all, it's hard to find where to start in one of fashion's largest capitals (and the only stateside fashion week hub) when there seems to be a luxury department store or chic boutique on every street corner. We've whittled down our favorite brick-and-mortar favorites in one of our favorite cities and suggest you use it as your NYC shopping roadmap, armed with credit cards in hand. Here, our favorite places to score the best clothes, shoes, beauty and more in New York City.
Bergdorf Goodman
Avid NYC shoppers know that a good day of shopping typically begins on 5th Avenue between 57th and 58th Streets, right next door to Van Cleef & Arpels and adjacent to The Plaza Hotel. Bergdorf Goodman is a landmark in Manhattan, not only for its dramatic, show-stopping windows or its tremendous assortment of accessories, fine jewelry or the latest collections–but because of its heritage and ability to merge classic collections like Dior, Valentino and Prada with an array of new talents worth noticing. This one-of-a-kind institution is worth popping into even if you aren't in the market for anything other than a fun token, bite to eat or a quick retail therapy fix–their home department, restaurant and beauty floor are all top notch.
Bergdorf Goodman; 754 5th Ave, New York, NY 10011, (212) 753-7300.
Barneys
Girls that tend to shop uptown–but with an edge–find their sole-mates and so much more at Barneys. And, thanks to the downtown vibes the uptown flagship has been exuding for decades, the new Downtown store in Chelsea is offering a slightly different, even more avant garde offering to appease the It girl set. Head here if you're looking for an accessories edit that's hard to beat and something a little outside the box.
Barneys New York; 660 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065, (212) 826-8900.
Barneys New York, Downtown; 101 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011, (646) 264-6400.
Kirna Zabête
Those who prefer to shop in a boutique rather than in a large-scale department store head straight to Kirna Zabête for a well-curated edit of the newest collection's best looks. When browsing the racks here, expect top names like Gucci and Saint Laurent, but also names that have more recently entered the fashion vernacular, like Sies Marjan, Monse and Magda Butrym. If you're after a gift, this may be the best place to find the perfect unconventional token–as it stocks pieces and decorative accessories you likely won't find elsewhere.
Kirna Zabete Soho; 477 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013, (212) 941-9656.
Saks Fifth Avenue
An NYC institution, Saks Fifth Avenue is yet another of the city's historic department stores, known for its designer wares, wide range of departments and notable window design. Our favorite parts of this must-stop shop? Their shoe department, 10022 Shoe, which is arguably one of the best on the island.
Saks Fifth Avenue; 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, (212) 753-4000.
The Apartment by The Line
Created to inspire and lend a more personalized approach to retail, The Line is a completely curated selection of fashion, home and beauty products placed throughout what appears to be a living space, giving you the ability to do exactly what you always dream of doing when you walk into an enviable apartment–shop it. Their editorial approach to living, shopping and personal style are enviable and, through their flagship location in New York, accessible.
The Apartment by The Line–New York; 76 Greene St, New York, NY 10012, (917) 460-7196.
Fivestory
Claire Distenfeld, a native New Yorker and an avid collector, is translating her love of art, fashion and the finer things to a multi-level shopping experience on Manhattan's Upper East Side–but not in the big-box retail type space the area is best known for. Aimed at being a veritable treasure trove of Distenfeld's favorite things and discoveries rather than a hub of the design world who's-who, Fivestory offers a unique edit, exclusive products and capsule collections and a wide assortment in a luxury, intimate space. Expect eveningwear by Rosie Assoulin and Brandon Maxwell, jewelry by Aurelie Bidermann, Charlotte Chesnais and Alison Lou, shoes by Gianvito Rossi, easy daywear by Off-White, Rosetta Getty and so much more.
Fivestory, 18 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, 212-288-2621.
Thomas Sires
Walk into Thomas Sires, a NoLita-based hub for women's and childrenswear, accessories and gifts and become overwhelmed by an immediate warmth. This place has a cool, low-key vibe that isn't trying too hard; it aims at capturing a feeling of gypsy-level whimsy, with products sourced from the owner's trips around the world, rather than a posh, prim pretention. Head here if you're after a gift for a friend, a future mother or a hand-sourced embroidered top from Mexico for your next trip.
Thomas Sires; 243 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012, (646) 692-4472.
Totokaelo
A modern, minimalist aesthetic is carried throughout Totokaelo, another NoLita shopping must. A shop here usually includes a fitting room filled with Dries Van Noten, Rick Owens, Haider Ackermann and more–all with an easy yet quality look and feel. Heels sold here are never too high, and no silhouette is ever too form-fitting. Come here expecting to shop at a luxury price point, but purchase pieces that are meant to be lived in and enjoyed.
Totokaelo; 54 Crosby St, New York, NY 10013, (206) 623-3582.
Bird
While most consider Manhattan to be the hub for all things key in the New York fashion scene, Bird owner Jen Mankins had a vision for Brooklyn. Her four (yes, four) boutiques, located across the city's coolest borough (along with a new outpost in Los Angeles), are comprised of a curation of designers that are best known for quality yet cool wearable basics (think Rachel Comey, Ulla Johnson and Acne Studios). Head to bird for a laid-back feel that doesn't skimp on luxury.
Vintage
Being a fashion hub has its perks, one of which is an incredible source of vintage wares. Consider the cycle; a woman who buys some of the latest runway's best at Bergdorf Goodman (or from a designer flagship, which likely lines Madison or Fifth Avenue) is bound to run out of room in her enviable closet, fall out of love with an old piece, or–inevitably–come across a case or two of buyer's remorse. This is where our favorite vintage hubs, like New York Vintage, Resurrection, Stella Dallas, What Comes Around Goes Around, Ina NYC and others come in–and feature some of the best second-hand designer duds in town.
