NEW YORK SHOPATHON
ACE AMERICA’S FASHION CAPITAL, ONE STORE AT A TIME
TEXT BROOKE PORTER / PHOTOS SVEVA COSTA
BEST VINTAGE
EDITH MACHINIST
Sure, you’ll find vintage Yves Saint-Laurent, Gucci and Fendi on the impeccable, colour-coordinated racks of this Lower East Side boutique, but owner Edith Machinist doesn’t get too caught up with names. Open since 2002, this hidden gem stocks everything from Victorian-era fashions to labels from the 1980s. A rainbow assortment of gorgeous heels and perfectly-aged brown and black boots – as well as every kind of bag you can imagine – line the walls. And with a $50 (£25) sales rack in the back, there’s no excuse for leaving empty-handed.
A good alternative, with two locations in the city and an appointment-only warehouse in Brooklyn, Amarcord Vintage Fashion (amarcordvintagefashion.com) is dedicated to European fashions from the 1940s to the 1980s.
OPEN MON-FRI 1-8PM/SAT-SUN 12-8PM.
104 RIVINGTON ST (BETWEEN LUDLOW AND ESSEX) | +1 212-979-9992
NEAREST CAFFEINE
Choose from 98 kinds of loose-leaf tea at Teany.
+1 212-475-9190 | TEANY.COM
NEAREST CHAMPERS
Open for less than a year, Spitzer’s Corner is the Lower East Side’s go-to gastropub.
+1 212-228-0027 | SPITZERSCORNER.COM
BEST DEPARTMENT STORE:
BERGDORF GOODMAN
What began in 1899 as a tailor shop in Union Square has become the symbol of elegance and luxury for Manhattan’s upper crust. In its current location for 80 years, Bergdorf Goodman is where elite shoppers go to run through the complete A to Z of the world’s greatest designers, from Armani Collezioni to Zac Posen. Well-dressed gents can get their fashion fix across the street at the Men’s Store, which opened in 1990. If the prices are a bit too steep for you, then simply gaze in awe at the beautiful window displays, which are a legend in their own right.
OPEN MON-FRI 10AM-8PM/SAT 10AM-7PM/SUN 12-6PM. 754 FIFTH AVE (AT 57TH ST) | +1 800-558-1855 | BERGDORFGOODMAN.COM
NEAREST CAFFEINE
Why leave? Just head to Goodman’s Café for a little light refreshment – you can tell this place is refined because they even serve afternoon tea.
NEAREST CHAMPERS
It’s about nine blocks’ walk to Rockefeller Plaza but, with more than 2,000 selections, the wine list at Morrell Wine Bar and Café is worth the stroll.
BEST US CHAIN STORE:
ANTHROPOLOGIE
Founded in 1992, the Anthropologie chain’s Fifth Avenue store gets bonus points for retaining an independent boutique feel, despite it’s three levels. The clothes are very feminine and flirty, with dresses, skirts and flowing tops in abundance. If you’re in the market for jeans, don’t miss the stock of AG Adriano Goldschmied denim. The store’s home décor selection is just as appealing as its range of clothes and if you want to surprise your man with some cute-but-sexy lingerie, this is the place.
On the same block all-American chain J. Crew (jcrew. com), will kit you out with any basics you might need – cardigans, cropped pants, khakis, tank tops and more.
OPEN MON-SAT 10AM-8PM/SUN 11AM-7PM 85 FIFTH AVE (AT 16TH ST) | +1 212-627-5885 | ANTHROPOLOGIE.COM
NEAREST CAFFEINE
Tisserie redefi nes the concept of coffee and a pastry.
+1 212-463-0850 | TISSERIE.COM
NEAREST CHAMPERS
More lounge than diner, the Coffee Shop’s sidewalk seating makes for great Union Square people-watching.
+1 212-243-7969
SEX AND THE CITY STOP:
PATRICIA FIELD’S
You’re greeted by magenta and lime green-wigged mannequins in the windows of this funky boutique, owned by Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field. The pink-haired lady’s wacky style comes out in full force in the store, a gumball machine of vibrant men and women’s fashions. As you strut up the shop’s red carpet, you’ll see everything from Pegleg NYC polka-dot hoodies, to oh-so-soft Trash & Luxury T-shirts, to lingerie only Samantha would wear. But downstairs is the real treat; your eyes will need a minute to adjust to the brightly coloured tutus and 5-inch heels à la Carrie Bradshaw, as well as sequined hats, boas and wigs.
OPEN MON-THUR 11AM-8PM/FRI-SAT 11AM-9PM/SUN 11AM-7PM 302 BOWERY (NEAR HOUSTON) | +1 212-966-4066 | PATRICIAFIELD.COM
NEAREST CAFFEINE
The cosy Podunk is worth the couple of blocks’ walk
for its tea, coffee and freshly baked desserts.
NEAREST CHAMPERS
Order drinks at the Bowery Hotel’s clubby, woodpanelled
lobby bar and get comfy on the plush velvet chairs.
BEST MEN’S STORE:
ODIN
What this refined East Village all-men’s clothing boutique lacks in size, it more than makes up for in style, with labels like Trovata and Rag & Bone. As you walk through the narrow store, you’ll find glass cases full of wallets, jewellery and sunglasses, as well as working man’s essentials: button-down shirts, sleek slacks and silk ties. Weekend wear includes must-have Rogues Gallery graphic print T-shirts. There’s a whole wall of Comme des Garçons cologne, Sharps Barber & Shop items, and other male skincare products. Even more shelves contain gadgets, clocks and chocolate.
OPEN MON-SAT 12-9PM/SUN 12-8PM
328 E 11TH ST (BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND AVENUES)
+1 212-475-0666 | ODINNEWYORK.COM
NEAREST CAFFEINE
Nothing beats a pastry and cappuccino at Veniero’s, an
East Village mainstay since 1894.
+1 212-674-7070 | VENIEROSPASTRY.COM
NEAREST CHAMPERS
Sip a glass of wine and munch on some appetisers in the
back garden at Tree.
+1 212-358-7171 | TREENYC.COM
AND IF THE SHOE FITS…
JEFFREY NY
Jeffrey Kalinsky is a former Barney’s New York shoe buyer. Open since 1999, his Meatpacking District shop keeps well-heeled style mavens prancing happily down the cobblestoned streets in Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo and the like.
OPEN MONDAY-WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY 1 0AM-8PM
THURSDAY 1 0AM-7PM
SATURDAY 10AM-7PM
SUNDAY 12 :30-6PM
449 W. 14TH ST. (AT 10TH AVE.)
+1 2 12-206-1272
JEFFREYNEWYORK.COM
Top secret (until now) shopping hints from real New Yorkers…
 |
SAM · 31 · MANAGING EDITOR Wardrobe staples: slim jeans, fun T-shirts, retro sneakers, hoodies and jackets. “I rate Williamsburg in Brooklyn for threads. Beacon’s Closet is a pretty great vintage clothing store, and there’s a Triple Five Soul shop on Bedford Avenue. For the ladies, there are a load of little boutiques, like Pema and Jumelle, on and around Bedford Avenue.” |
 |
KAT · 26 · FASHION Wardrobe staples: white button-down shirt, great pair of jeans, black Converse, printed scarf and ballet flats. “When I want to hit H&M or Century 21 (the city’s best designer discount store), I go early in the morning when it is always empty and organised.” |
 |
AMANDA · 26 · FASHION AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR Wardrobe staples: Helmut Lang black skinny jeans, vintage riding boots, Vince navy-and-black striped cashmere cardigan, American Apparel T-shirts and tanks, gold hoops from Forever 21. “I love TopButton.com; it lists current and upcoming New York City sample sales and promotions so I always know where to find amazing designer deals. It’s free as long as you register.” |
 |
MIKE · 25 · VIDEO PRODUCER Wardrobe staples: Premium Raw Denim jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs shirts, Vince sweaters and knits, anything from American Apparel or Uniqlo. “I mostly tend to check out the downtown boutiques; Opening Ceremony is a fave to find more eccentric designers, and places like Oliver Spencer and Seize sur Vingt are good for the more conventional stuff. Men.style.com and Superfuture. com are the two sites I use when I’m too lazy to leave my apartment.” |
Would you like to leave a comment ?
You must be logged in to leave a message.