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Mary Adams The Dress
You can pick a lacy, romantic Mary Adams off the rack, or ask the designer to make one just for you - prices start at around US$1500 . Adams' designs are eye-catching and innovative while remaining classically romantic. She's a favorite among those shopping for wedding gowns.
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Mayle
Lush fabrics and classic cuts give the clothes at this Nolita hideaway a vintage feel - but nothing could be further from the truth. They're made on-site with the best modern materials. The big, boxy coats, straight wool skirts and tight-waisted frocks are one-of-a-kind, just like the store.
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Nellie M Boutique
Located off Madison Ave, this inviting boutique carries upscale-but-hip clothing from smaller designer labels (such as Rebecca Taylor) that are found at most Upper East Side (UES) giants. There's also plenty of evening wear and accessories, as well as more sporty finds.
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Otto Tootsi Plohound
All the labels you love - Miu Miu, Cynthia Rowley, Helmut Lang, Paul Smith and Prada Sport among them - dangle like candy before your eyes. Otto Tootsi's comfy Soho store takes window design to a new level--it's worth stopping by just for the 'wow' factor.
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Plaza, Too
If Harry's Shoes is a bit too practical, find your high-fashion footwear at this brand-new outpost of the suburban favorite - it's the first and only NYC location. They've got fancy footwork from the likes of Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Adrienne, Cynthia Rowley, Sigerson Morrison and many more, and the prices are frequently reduced by nearly half at fabulous sales events.
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Prague Kolektiv
Red-lacquered chairs and chrome-trimmed tables are just two of the retro Czech styles you'll find at this furniture store specializing in 1920s and '30s Eastern European designs.
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Ralph Lauren
Housed in a beautiful 1890s mansion (one of Manhattan's few remaining residences of that era), Ralph's flagship store is worth the long stroll up Madison Ave, even if you've already stocked up on Polo gear elsewhere. There's a big selection here, with an emphasis on more formal wear, particularly for men.
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Rebecca Taylor
On a block full of fun and funky clothes, this boutique's peek-a-boo designs stand out. Flirty and girlish frocks, swishy skirts and no-cling pants are big crowd pleasers - half of neighboring Nolita is dressed by Ms Taylor.
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Seize sur Vingt
A Nolita secret, this store turns out stern, classic shirts and suits brightened by high quality material in flashy and fancy colors. It even custom fits shirts to make sure you get just the right silhouette.
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Sigerson Morrison
Innovation combined with surprising practicality (who would have thought we could have high-heeled flip-flops, or designer rubbers to wear in the rain?), plus a love of splashy colors have made Sigerson a hit. The store also carries Belle, a lower-priced line of its signature high-heeled, glamorous styles.
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Tokio 7
This revered, hip consignment shop, down a few steps on a shady stretch of E 7th St, has good-condition designer labels for men and women at some fairly hefty prices. Best of all is the selection of men's suits - there's nearly always something tip-top worth trying on in the around US$100 to US$150 range.
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Underdog East
Most East Village boutiques are all about women but here, men take center stage. The low-key, exposed-brick space features high-end denim, sweaters, shirts and accessories (including some delicious cashmere hats) from designers like Earnest Sewn, Steven Alan, Filippa K and La Coppola Storta.
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Wear Me Out
A fun little boutique for 'Hellsea boys' needing the perfect outfit to wear to Roxy this weekend, this is a friendly place to pick up a pec-promoting tight tee, a pair of sexy Energie jeans, provocative undies and various types of jewelry. The flirtatious staff is full of encouragement, too.
