Shopping in New York City
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Mxyplyzyk
There’s nothing usual about this totally fun home shop – including its odd name (pronounced mix-ee-pliz-ik). Here you’ll find life-sized owl lamps, LED mini-chandeliers, candy-striped sock monkeys, oversized animal books, fruit baskets made from chopsticks, cardboard animal heads, colorful nesting bowls for the kitchen, alphabet soaps and other intriguing objects.
reviewed
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Odin
Named after the mighty Norse god, Odin offers a bit of magic for men seeking a new look. The large boutique carries stylish downtown labels like Phillip Lim, Band of Outsiders and Edward, and is a great place to browse for up-and-coming designers. Other eye candy at the minimalist store includes Comme des Garçons wallets, sleek sunglasses, Sharps grooming products and Taschen coffee-table books.
reviewed
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Odin
Named after the mighty Norse god, Odin offers a bit of magic for men seeking a new look. The large boutique carries stylish downtown labels like Phillip Lim, Band of Outsiders and Edward, and is a great place to browse for up-and-coming designers. Other eye candy at the minimalist store includes Comme des Garçons wallets, sleek sunglasses, Sharps grooming products and Taschen coffee-table books. Other branches are in the East Village and the West Village.
reviewed
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Donna Karan
Head to the top floor if you're looking for markdowns, but otherwise be prepared to pay handsomely for Donna's tres chic city-slicker looks. Men won't find many options, but women can dress themselves for life in this three-story store, which has hair pieces, sunglasses, bags, shoes, belts and jewelry to match the wrap jersey dresses and sharp pantsuits that this designer is known for.
reviewed
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United Nude
The flagship store is stocked with improbably beautiful and eye-catching footwear – flamboyant, classical, business-oriented and sporty. Whether you want strappy sandals, toweringly high stilettos or a solid pair of wedge-heeled pumps, you'll score here. The store has three basic groupings – Classics, Ultra Collection and Mono Series – and within those categories is a variety of shoe types.
reviewed
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Artez’n
Along shop-lined Atlantic Ave, Artez’n is a great place for browsing the works of local artists and artisans. Here you’ll find original paintings and photographs for sale along with graphic T-shirts, silk-screened ties and pillows, handcrafted chocolates, delicately wrought jewelry, martini glasses, candles, soaps and bath products – all of which is made by Brooklynites.
reviewed
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Harlem's Heaven Hat Boutique
Evetta Petty's been designing custom hats from her Harlem location for more than 15 years – and if you've been looking for just the right hat for Easter Sunday, or a day at the races, Evetta's got many, many options for you. There are also some fantastic retro creations, glittering and fancy fedoras, some men's hats and a great treasure trove of vintage brooches, sunglasses and earrings.
reviewed
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Gotham Book Mart
Overflowing with choice lit since 1920, the Gotham Book Mart is just how a bookstore is meant to be. It's historic too (despite having recently moved a block from its original location). Frances Stelof (who died in 1989) founded the James Joyce Society here in 1947, and snuck some of his books, and other naughty ones like Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer, past US obscenity laws.
reviewed
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Trader Joe’s
Most people love Trader Joe’s, it seems. It’s a slightly smaller version of Whole Foods, with fair-trade coffee, organic produce, beef and poultry, and an odd smattering of exotic goods not normally stocked in stores. In fact, so many people love the Trader Joe’s on E 14th St that shopping there takes enormous patience; the store is small and awkwardly laid out, and crowds form quickly.
reviewed
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Paragon Athletic Goods
A maze-like, windowless behemoth, Paragon offers a comprehensive collection of sports merchandise featuring basketballs, tennis rackets, hiking gear, swim goggles, ski poles, baseball bats, all sorts of sneakers and apparel, you name it. It has better prices than the chains and an excellent selection of in-line skates. Watch for end-of-season sales, which can get devastatingly mobbed.
reviewed
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Ice Cream & the Billionaire Boys Club
Created by pop icon Pharell Williams and Japanese design guru Nigo, this slim little two-floor boutique stocks colorful, one-of-a-kind sneakers and imaginative T-shirts and outerwear. Head up the dark star-lit staircase at the back to check out the BBC part of the brand (more edgy sneakers and T-shirts) while talking a walk in outer space, courtesy of a moon print covering the floor.
reviewed
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Universal Gear
A more accurate name might be ‘Chelsea Gear,’ as the place is bursting with all that’s de rigueur for handsome Chelsea boys and wannabes. Here’s where you’ll find cute-boy staples like G-Star and Diesel denim, pouch-heightening underwear by 2 (x) ist and C-IN2, plus swimwear, jackets, shoes and accessories from Ben Sherman bags to D&G watches.
reviewed
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Bblessing
For beautifully made men’s clothes with classic lines, visit this inviting little shop on Orchard Street. The dark woods, low lighting and curiosity-cabinet decor complement the texturally rich apparel. Top picks include hand-stitched Rag & Bone jeans, Raf Simons coats and Shuldiner’s sculptural jewelry, plus a small but intriguing selection of books, DVDs and CDs.
reviewed
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Scoop
Scoop is a great one-stop destination for unearthing top contemporary fashion by Theory, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, James Perse and many others. While there’s nothing particularly edgy about the selections, there’s a lot on offer (over 100 designers covering men’s, women’s and children’s), and you can often score deals at season-end sales. Scoop has several stores in the city.
reviewed
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Calypso
It’s summer forever at this St Bart’s-born shop, which stocks tropical clothing, such as light dresses, Dr Boudoir swimwear, flip-flops and slinky blouses, year-round. Calypso has several other boutiques, including a popular home furnishings store in SoHo and the flagship store on the Upper East Side.
reviewed
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Built by Wendy
Hidden out of reach from the SoHo masses, Built by Wendy is a cozy boutique where sweaters, dresses and men’s and women’s denim sport a classic, flattering cut with interesting details. You can also pick up owner-designer Wendy Mullin’s clever sewing book called Sew U or one of her ultrasuede guitar straps. A second branch is in Williamsburg.
reviewed
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Sherry-Lehmann
A New York hallmark since 1934, this family-run spot’s founder made a name for himself during the Prohibition. Over the years the place has introduced such high-end spirits as Dom Perignon and Chivas Regal to the US market, and it now offers more than 7000 items from its sprawling space. Expect helpful and knowledgeable staffers, and a bigger selection than you can fathom.
reviewed
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Kiehl's
Making and selling skincare products since it opened in NYC as an apothecary in 1851, Kiehl's has expanded into an international chain, but its personal touch remains – as do the coveted, generous sample sizes. Pick up some of the legendary moisturizers, masks and emollients, including Creme with Silk Groom for the hair, Creme de Corps for the body or Abyssine Serum for the face.
reviewed
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De Vera
Federico de Vera travels the globe in search of rare and exquisite jewelry, carvings, lacquerware and other objets d’art for this jewel-box of a store. Illuminated glass cases display works like 200-year-old Buddhas, Venetian glassware and gilded inlaid boxes from the Meiji period, while tapestries and carvings along the walls complete the museumlike experience.
reviewed
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Jacques Torres Chocolate
Serious chocolatier runs this European-style store with a few cafe tables, filled with the most velvety and innovative chocolates ever crafted. Take a few to the nearby Empire Fulton Ferry State Park for a snack and a view between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Torres has a handful of other shops around NYC, including an ice-cream parlor next door.
reviewed
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Nicholas
Rasta lovers of the world unite at this eye-catching storefront on a quiet stretch of Fifth Avenue. Here you’ll find graphic T-shirts, jackets, hats, tote bags, belt buckles, scarves and lots of other collectible fare with Bob Marley and the vivid swash of green, yellow and red ever-present. You’ll also find books, posters and, lest we forget, some rather clever rolling papers.
reviewed
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Resurrection
A boudoir to the eye, Resurrection is a sleek and pricey red-walled boutique that gives new life to cutting-edge designs from past decades. Striking, mint-condition pieces cover the eras of mod, glam-rock and new-wave design, and well-known designers like Marc Jacobs have visited the shop for inspiration. Top picks include Gucci handbags, Halston dresses and Courrèges jackets.
reviewed
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Printed Matter
Printed Matter is a wondrous little two-room shop dedicated to limited-edition artist monographs and strange little zines. Here you will find nothing carried by mainstream bookstores; instead, trim little shelves hide call-to-arms manifestos, critical essays about comic books, flip books that reveal Jesus’ face through barcodes and how-to guides written by prisoners.
reviewed
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Adam
Oscar de la Renta protégé Adam Lippes' Meatpacking store is full of the smart, modern clothes that have made him a rising star. There's something for men and women (on the left and right sides of the store, respectively) amid the casually hung chic separates, polos, T-shirts and sweaters. Emphasis is on unusual and sensuous materials, like buttery suede and plump quilting.
reviewed
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Conran Shop
Find slick kitchenware and tableware, linens, furniture and home accessories at this sleek emporium, nestled in a marvelous space under the Queensboro Bridge, from British design king Terence Conran. Browse through streamlined sofas, Missoni china, Ducati pens, retro Jacob Jensen alarm clocks, Rob Brandt tumblers, Mandarina Duck luggage, Lucite photo frames and much more.
reviewed