Good for Guys
Ernest Alexander. This urban-rugged menswear
label feels like a J. Crew upstart—only slightly less neat. Designed to
resemble a contemporary trading post, the shop stocks enough leather
weekenders, skinny plaid ties, and selvedge denim to outfit an entire tech
start-up. 98 Thompson St.; 212-775-1199.
High-Fashion Fantasy Land
Kirna Zabête. At this SoHo boutique, two
floors of white walls and red-lacquered shelves showcase color-laden
Céline bags, Lanvin evening gowns, and sparkling Tom Binns jewelry that
looks like decadent treats in a candy shop. Net-A-Porter fans will swoon.
96 Greene St.; 212-941-9656.
Tops for Street Style
Topshop. The only East Coast outpost of
Britain’s favorite fast-fashion line is a trend-chaser’s dream. A step
above H&M and Forever 21, the three-story Topshop delivers
of-the-moment blazers, rompers, and accessories—most with a pinch of
London’s signature glam grunge. 478 Broadway; 212-966-9555.
Shop for a Cause
Treasure & Bond. Nordstrom’s experiment
with not-for-profit retail—100 percent of proceeds are donated to a
rotating list of New York children’s charities—is a great resource for
unusual gifts and arty, Anthropologie-esque fashions. Hard-to-find labels
such as Spain’s Hoss Intropia mingle with baubles from funky lines such as
Noir jewelry in a spare, loft-style space. 350 W. Broadway;
646-669-9049.
Getting the Scoop
Scoop NYC. The original SoHo location of the
trend-conscious Scoop can’t be rivaled for its contemporary selection. A
rainbow display of Rag & Bone skinny jeans, rack upon rack of
patterned Equipment and Tucker blouses, sexy Wren cocktail dresses—more
than 100 women’s-wear brands fill the massive shop (there’s also a sizable
men’s section), and the wannabe-stylist sales staff will happily guide you
through. 473-475 Broadway; 212-925-3539.
Fashion Forerunner
Opening Ceremony. This packed SoHo emporium
sits somewhere between a fashion World’s Fair and a high-concept art
gallery—and many feel it’s emerging as the new leader in global style.
Each year, owners Carol Lim and Humberto Leon highlight international
designers alongside next-big-thing American labels. They also design an
in-house label and work with fashion insiders such as actress Chloë
Sevigny and the sisters behind the avant-garde collection Rodarte on
highly coveted, limited-run collaborations. 35 Howard St.;
212-219-2688.
Tokyo Treasures
Kinokuniya. The inventory isn’t strictly
Japanese at this massive book and media store, but that’s why you want to
shop here—we could spend hours browsing the outlandish fashion magazines
alone. Upstairs, a small cafe serves bento-box lunches; in the basement
are notebooks and office supplies unlike anything you’ll find at Staples.
1073 Sixth Ave.; 212-869-1700.
Upper East Side Elegance
Five Story. Touted by some as New York’s
answer to Paris’s Colette, this gallery-style shop eases visitors through
avant-garde men’s and women’s labels, hold-your-breath-expensive home
accessories, and a miniature shoe oasis with the help of a delightfully
unsnobby sales staff. 18 E. 69th St.; 212-288-1338.
Lap of Luxury
Bergdorf Goodman. A New York shopping trip
isn’t complete without a visit to this opulent department store. A fixture
in film and TV since the early 1950s, Bergdorf’s boasts eight levels of
high-end shoes, accessories, ready-to-wear fashions, makeup, and home
goods, plus a penthouse hair salon as well as prime people-watching—not to
mention dainty tea sandwiches and a view of Central Park—in the
seventh-floor BG restaurant. A men’s store is across the street. 754 Fifth
Ave.; 212-753-7300.
Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
