The fashion and retail scene in New York City is always evolving. No other city in the world experiences as many stores opening and closing on a regular basis, which means you’ll need a new shopping guide for every season. New York thrives on its vibrant fashion culture, constantly pushing boundaries and setting trends.
As the home of the legendary New York Fashion Week, the city attracts celebrities from every corner of the globe. It’s also a major hub for street style stars and offers an endless selection of top fashion brands. If you’re a fashion lover looking for the best shopping spots, or a shopaholic planning your post-Fashion Week shopping spree, this guide will point you toward some of the hottest stores in the city.
Rent the Runway
Rent the Runway originally started as a shop within Henri Bendel but has since evolved into a standalone store in the Flatiron District. This upscale dress rental service allows you to meet with a personal stylist and rent a designer dress for your next big event, with prices starting at just $25. It offers a wide selection of dresses from over 200 top designers, including Marchesa, Vera Wang, and Opening Ceremony. The service is especially popular for wedding party shopping. While it may not be the same as owning your own designer gown, it offers an affordable way to dress stylishly for Fashion Week parties.
Space Ninety 8
Have you ever imagined spending the night in a department store? Space Ninety 8 makes that childhood fantasy a reality. This multi-level store offers a variety of reasonably priced clothing for men and women, along with home goods, jewelry, and more. It also features a gallery space and an extensive record shop. After a shopping spree, you can relax with a cocktail at Gorbals restaurant and bar, or take in the stunning views when you need a break from browsing.
Story
This Chelsea jewel shuts down every 4 – 6 weeks and re-opens with an entirely new theme. Each cycle revolves around architects and guests curators and the store literally resembles an editorial style magazine. One of its latest motifs – the Cool Story – showcased Aros, beach bags and more. Other popular themes of the past include Good Story and Love Story. Make sure you visit this unique store while in NYC, provided its open!
OROGOLD Cosmetics
With skin care collections for all types of skin and all sorts of skin issues and products that include real 24K gold, OROGOLD Cosmetics is one beauty brand that doesn’t second guess when it comes to your beauty. Their 100+ skin care products have enjoyed phenomenal success in the global market and OROGOLD is about as luxe as it gets. We recommend one of their signature VIP facials, heavenly treats offered at their Madison Avenue Flagship Store or the 57th Street Store. These facials offer instant results and let your re-discover your long lost youthful skin. You’d want to look your beautiful best for Fashion Week, and no one can make you look better.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue really needs no introduction. This iconic retail outlet has been undergoing a tremendous revival over the years and they recently added a beauty bar on their 5th floor and also revamped their fragrance department. Other highlights include a designer sneaker shop and awnings making a comeback.
Dover Street Market
Dover Street Market isn’t exactly friendly on your wallet, but that never stopped you from window shopping, did it? This Murray Hill oasis of high fashion presents seven floors of cutting-edge clothes and accessories by big name designers as well as up-and-coming ones. The merchandise also includes loads of exclusives and graphic tees that cost under $100. The store isn’t just about sleek clothing, it also presents cool art on its walls and a groovy ambiance.
People of 2Morrow
The People of 2Morrow tries to offer something unbelievable to all of its customers. It presents “re-worked vintage” and “previously loved” pieces from all over the world and pairs them with unique clothes and accessories. The sunlit decor also takes shopping to an entirely new level.
Artists & Fleas
Artist & Fleas is considered to be one of the most popular stores in NYC. It sets up shop in a Williamsburg warehouse and presents a rotating selection of 60 vendors each weekend, which includes local craftspeople, artists and designers. The product mix includes everything you can possibly imagine – right from handmade jewelry and home décor items to pet accessories and original t-shirts.
Barneys New York
Another NYC fashion store that really needs no introduction. Barneys offers an unstuffy approach to high-end fashion and presents something for every woman – from those searching for lunch outfits to designs that attract downtown hipsters to style inspirations for street style stars. They’ve revamped their menswear and beauty departments as well.
Amarcord
If you’re searching for Milan labels while in NYC, Amarcord is like a dream come true. This high-end boutique presents an organized selection of vintage designer goodies that have been handpicked by Italian owners during their trips abroad.
Bergdorf Goodman
The first thing that strikes you about Bergdorf Goodman is its lavish window displays, particularly the ones seen during the holiday season. The 9th floor of the store presents a John Barrett salon and the store itself is famous for offering a world-class shopping experience. With clothes that often cost more than small houses, this is the place to be for those searching for high-end labels or contemporary brands.
Goyard
Goyard is a mysterious French brand known for its signature trunks, leather goods and purses. It presents a stately two-store outlet and outlandish price tags. It might not always be within your reach, but the funky décor and those fun touches make it a worthwhile addition to your NYC shopping experience.
Leave it to the New Yorkers to make you question everything you know about fashion. No matter how fashion conscious you feel you are, a trip to Big Apple always leaves you mesmerized and helps you learn so much more. So come to New York, enjoy the very best of fashion, become a part of one of the top Fashion Weeks, strike out another must-see from your bucket list and pay your tributes to the Lady in Green as soon as possible.
Great choice of the shopping …