This week we continue our New York shopping excursion through the many neighborhoods that make up downtown Manhattan.
Flatiron District
Fifth Avenue shopping maybe is synonymous with the high-end retailers that line the block uptown, but lower Fifth spanning from Union Square to the mid-20s also boasts an impressive lineup of shopping aimed at the more contemporary audience. Brands such as Diesel, Anthropologie, and Club Monaco share the block with Kenneth Cole, BCBG, Banana Republic and Kate Spade. The ten blocks is a one-stop shop for all your sartorial needs — as long as you’re not looking for anything too avant-garde. A gem among all the megabrands here is Journelle, located just off of Fifth Avenue on 17th St. The boutique sells intimates and lingerie ranging from sweet and demure to the ultra luxurious.
Soho
Continue heading south and you’ll find yourself in Soho — South of Houston street – which is perhaps the densest shopping neighborhood in all of Manhattan. Everything from department stores (Bloomingdale’s, Barney’s) to boutiques (Intermix, Kirna Zabete) to mass retailers (Uniqlo, Old Navy, H&M, Zara) to brands you know and love (Levi’s, Louis Vuitton) has their own shop here. The neighborhood can be conquered by walking up and down Broadway on its parallel streets, and then alongside the perpendicular streets that intersect the bigger avenues.
There is truly something here for everyone, but for the true fashionista there are a few can’t-miss stops. For the boutique lover, Kirna Zabete curates a shop full of fashion editor favorites such as Jason Wu, Alaia, and Thakoon. For those looking for the most luxurious intimate apparel, Kiki de Montparnasse is one of the sexiest stores in the city. And my personal favorite, the Alexander Wang flagship (the only standalone store in the world) features everything you could possibly want from his current collections.
After a day of wandering and shopping in Soho, you’ll be tired for sure. Set your bags down, enjoy complimentary tea and cookies, and take a nap in a $90,000 bed at Hastens, a store that welcomes shoppers to try out their ultra-luxurious beds.
West Village
As you work your way West through Soho, you’ll eventually find yourself on West Broadway and crossing into Bleecker Street. Both West Broadway and Bleecker have shops galore lining both sides of the streets. Again, there are many familiar brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, French Connection and Elie Tarhari located here, but there are also a few gems that are unique to the area.
What Goes Around Comes Around is a favorite of the fashion set and features a range of luxurious vintage and consignment items. A few doors down, Reiss operates one of the New York outposts for those who prefer a more “royal” style. And a perennial favorite, the Marc by Marc Jacobs store, welcomes tourists and locals alike with racks and racks of accessories starting at just $5.
Meatpacking
The meatpacking district is usually known for its nightlife, but in recent years has turned into a bona fide fashionista’s shopping destination. Both Diane von Furstenberg and Theory have set up their flagships along the cobbled roads on the far west of the island. Other designers who have moved into the giant loft spaces here include Alexander McQueen, Tory Burch, Stella McCartney, and Yigal Arouzel. Also located in Meatpacking, on the far west end of 14th St, is Jeffrey, a small department store famous for their incredible selection of shoes and service.
