Focus on Fashion: the Best and Worst Shopping in each NYC Neighbourhood
Brit fashion blogger and stylist Sara Delaney is making life simple for shopaholics everywhere. She's wholeheartedly devoted herself to sussing out the best and worst of what's on offer in each of New York City's nuanced neighbourhoods. In other words, she's gone and done the legwork so you can hit the aisles harder than ever.
We all know midtown Manhattan is a bustling grid of super luxe shops that attract hoards of shoppers daily. Apart from the obvious Prada’s and Gucci’s, there are a few other gems in this district, especially if you’re on the hunt to accessorize your latest designer buy.
Midtown is classed as 31st to 59th streets and generally 5th and Madison Avenues, but don’t let this label tie you down, slide up a few side streets for a peek at the off piste shops and restaurants and you’ll be surprised at what you find.
For an emporium of all things sparkly head to Henri Bendel (712 5th Ave); if you can squeeze past the tourists on the ground floor you’ll be rewarded with reasonably priced pieces of costume jewelry that give you more bling for your buck.
For those coveted handbags move on to Bergdorf Goodman (754 5th Ave) – there’s a fab Chanel section (clearly for the local Upper East Side ladies), a glorious shoe salon, and also -right now - some Marni sheepskin totes to shoulder in style.
Get to Eres on Madison for seasonal swimwear (621 at 58th) before it shuts in September, and swing by Sermonata gloves (corner of 58th & Madison), for a truly awe inspiring display of gorgeous handware for Fall.
You can visit Mulberry (605 Madison) and Shanghai Tang (600 Madison) for a touch of traditional style.
Take a breather at Crumbs (52nd & Madison) for a famed delicious cup cake to restore your sugar levels and rest your legs before starting the second half of your shopping frenzy.
If it’s a custom hat you’re looking for – think Kentucky Derby over here rather than Ascot, step further up to 61st to Suzanne’s Millinery (27 E61st) for couture service and style.
As you head further down Madison (50th down), it’s a man’s world with suit stores galore. Don’t forget a quick peek in J.Crew (347 Madison, btw 44th & 45th) – the thinking woman’s Next. But avoid Daffy’s clearance, promising discount labels yet mostly stocked with tat. Keep your discount label shopping to Loehmann’s in Chelsea (101 7th Ave).
Madison runs dry after Grand Central station on 42nd st, skip back over to 5th and try Lord & Taylor 424 5th Ave, btw 38th & 39th)– once an archaic has-been of a department store but now a little sparklier with new brands and great shoe choices.
Take another well-earned break with a gelato stop at Osteria Del Circo (120 W55th st, btw 6th & 7th), or wind down after a hard day of hitting the aisles with a cocktail at Palace Gate at the New York Palace Hotel (455 Madison).
More information
►The Serial Shopper's Guide to NYC
►Walking in the West Village: a shopping guide
Sara Delaney is a freelance writer and fashion stylist from London currently navigating the sticky sidewalks of New York. You can follow her on her blog Notes from a Stylist.
Accessory Shopping in Midtown
We all know midtown Manhattan is a bustling grid of super luxe shops that attract hoards of shoppers daily. Apart from the obvious Prada’s and Gucci’s, there are a few other gems in this district, especially if you’re on the hunt to accessorize your latest designer buy.
Midtown is classed as 31st to 59th streets and generally 5th and Madison Avenues, but don’t let this label tie you down, slide up a few side streets for a peek at the off piste shops and restaurants and you’ll be surprised at what you find.
For an emporium of all things sparkly head to Henri Bendel (712 5th Ave); if you can squeeze past the tourists on the ground floor you’ll be rewarded with reasonably priced pieces of costume jewelry that give you more bling for your buck.
For those coveted handbags move on to Bergdorf Goodman (754 5th Ave) – there’s a fab Chanel section (clearly for the local Upper East Side ladies), a glorious shoe salon, and also -right now - some Marni sheepskin totes to shoulder in style.
Get to Eres on Madison for seasonal swimwear (621 at 58th) before it shuts in September, and swing by Sermonata gloves (corner of 58th & Madison), for a truly awe inspiring display of gorgeous handware for Fall.
You can visit Mulberry (605 Madison) and Shanghai Tang (600 Madison) for a touch of traditional style.
Take a breather at Crumbs (52nd & Madison) for a famed delicious cup cake to restore your sugar levels and rest your legs before starting the second half of your shopping frenzy.
If it’s a custom hat you’re looking for – think Kentucky Derby over here rather than Ascot, step further up to 61st to Suzanne’s Millinery (27 E61st) for couture service and style.
As you head further down Madison (50th down), it’s a man’s world with suit stores galore. Don’t forget a quick peek in J.Crew (347 Madison, btw 44th & 45th) – the thinking woman’s Next. But avoid Daffy’s clearance, promising discount labels yet mostly stocked with tat. Keep your discount label shopping to Loehmann’s in Chelsea (101 7th Ave).
Madison runs dry after Grand Central station on 42nd st, skip back over to 5th and try Lord & Taylor 424 5th Ave, btw 38th & 39th)– once an archaic has-been of a department store but now a little sparklier with new brands and great shoe choices.
Take another well-earned break with a gelato stop at Osteria Del Circo (120 W55th st, btw 6th & 7th), or wind down after a hard day of hitting the aisles with a cocktail at Palace Gate at the New York Palace Hotel (455 Madison).
More information
►The Serial Shopper's Guide to NYC
►Walking in the West Village: a shopping guide
Sara Delaney is a freelance writer and fashion stylist from London currently navigating the sticky sidewalks of New York. You can follow her on her blog Notes from a Stylist.
