Shopping Secrets - How to shop like a New Yorker
From the Village to the Upper East Side, New York City is brimming with fabulous shops, boutiques and department stores. New York has been called the Capital of the World, but to me it will always be a fashion capital. Growing up, between my grandmother and mother I was taken to all the fashion haunts across the City. And whilst places like Henri Bendel’s, Bloomingdales, and Saks 5th Avenue were certainly shopping staples, I was lucky enough to get to know the shopping treasures hidden right in the open!
Today as I stare out my window and listen to the hustle and bustle pouring from Union Square I have decided to forsake the New Yorker’s promise and divulge my shopping secrets, so that you too can enjoy New York’s amazing shopping scene the way I have!
Chelsea Market located on 9th Avenue (between 15th and 16th street) is best known for its amazing and fresh food. However, the samples there are easily the best I’ve ever seen! Both the brands and the prices are amazing and for girls like me who LOVE designer wear but cannot afford to constantly be paying designer prices these sales are a dream! Recently, I attended a sale for Adam Lippes S/S 09 collection and left with some beautiful maxi dresses in this season must have nautical colours and themes! The prices were so affordable I was able to leave with 4 new dresses (beautiful items at sale prices can also be found at the website! Best of all the Chelsea Market sample sales are going on all year round at an almost daily basis (this week is the Elie Tahari sale), so whether you are a local girl or on a holiday you will be able to seize this fabulous opportunity!
Village Scandal is the New Yorker’s go to for beautiful, high quality millinery and accessories needs. If it goes on your head, and will take an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary you will find it at Village Scandal! For me a headband addict, I would not survive without the wonderful headbands found at this unique little East Village shop (located on 19 East 7th Street between 2nd Ave & Cooper Square). Whilst many shops of this nature have a certain style, what makes Village Scandal (East Village 19 E 7th St, between 2nd Ave & Cooper Sq) so special is its endless options of unique pieces. No matter what your style (or price tag) is you will find the perfect hat or headband to add that je ne sais quoi to your outfit! And though I am a headband kind of girl, I can honestly say the hats are as fine as the other accessories and best of all the prices are equally gorgeous!
Scoop NYC is the quintessential New Yorker’s shop. With locations all over the City (Upper East Side, Meatpacking District, Soho) it is the place to go to find the pieces that you just cannot find anywhere else and yet they seemingly stock everything! Everything from bras to bags, to boots can be find in these fabulous shops. Collections From Alice & Olivia to Zac Posen are housed in this modern, chic shop. With designer wear for men, women and children it is the kind of shop that anyone can walk in and feel it caters to their needs. Moreover, the entire store is merchandised by item, colour, classification trend and season! Filled with So, everyone from the seasoned fashionista to those who need a little more direction can walk into this store and find exactly what (they didn’t even know) they are looking for!Shopping in New York can feel overwhelming even to a seasoned pro like myself! So, I hope this list will help guide you to shopping bliss in the fairest of cities. But, there are truly so many options and so I realize there are many wonderful boutiques I have simply been forced to leave out! But, not to worry my darlings, I promise one day I will tell you the rest… But for now, I will leave you with my top three shopping haunts, and perhaps they will soon be yours!