Boutique Shops in NYC

June 11, 2011 9:04 AM

Where's the best place to find atypical boutique clothing shops in Manhattan?

I know that's a really generic question... I've got a day in NYC and am basically looking for shops I wouldn't find back home (Houston, Texas). Not looking for anything particular, just a day of walking and shopping for stuff I wouldn't normally see.

posted by JPowers to Shopping (11 answers total)

The mister has loads of men's boutique recs, but as they're all over NYC and you only have a day, you might use Racked NY or the NYT's Soho shopping itineraries for inspiration.
posted by evoque at 9:40 AM on June 11, 2011

Madison Ave on the UES.
Especially in 60s and low 70s (accessible by 6 train to 68th or 77th and walk west two blocks). Just walk up and down the block and see what strikes your fancy.
posted by TravellingCari at 11:53 AM on June 11, 2011

Soho is the place for you. Stay off Broadway and wander around from 6th Ave all the way over to the Bowery (South of Houston/North of Canal). There's lots and lots of little shops as well as designers you'll recognize. If you find yourself with more time, you also may want to head over to Williamsburg in Brooklyn - which is also full of adorable little shops (and slightly cheaper, too). Have fun!
posted by Unred at 1:53 PM on June 11, 2011

Oooh, I'd stay away from both the UES and Soho -- not much unique in either zone, unless you are going for one of the SATC lady-looks. I think you want the Lower East Side, which is offbeat boutique heaven. Orchard, Rivington, Stanton, Ludlow -- and much more to explore and discover on your own (lots of great eating/drinking too, to keep you going).
posted by thinkpiece at 2:49 PM on June 11, 2011

Not Soho. If you want bargain boutiques in a funky neighborhood, then the Lower East Side (as delineated by thinkpiece) is cool. If you want premium boutiques in a trendy neighborhood, then head for Nolita: Mulberry, Mott, and Elizabeth from Houston south to Canal.
posted by nicwolff at 3:07 PM on June 11, 2011

Almost all the main shopping areas of Manhattan are basically outdoor malls full of chain stores (Broadway in SoHo, Madison Ave on the Upper East Side, Fifth Ave from Union Square to 23rd St or so, anywhere in midtown). They often aren't the chains you have at home (TopShop, Uniqlo, Zara, etc), but still.

Bedford Avenue and the "north side" of Williamsburg, as well as Smith Street in Cobble Hill - both in Brooklyn - are much more interesting and extremely accessible.

The Lower East Side and NoLiTa are good choices if for some reason you cannot leave the island of Manhattan.
posted by Sara C. at 3:09 PM on June 11, 2011

what I <3 about NYC threads:

Poster 1: go here
Poster 2: no don't go there, go here
Poster 3: don't go to either of those places

Sara C. - interesting point - the only main shopping area that I'd consider to be an outdoor mall... as you describe is 34th street. The rest I find fairly unique - but well out of my price range, especially UES near the Whitney
posted by TravellingCari at 4:36 PM on June 11, 2011

Really? Granted I totally go there when I need to go jeans shopping or find a new winter coat or something else that's going to require going to a billionty different cheap stores that I know will have my size, something seasonally appropriate, etc. But head to any of the major shopping areas around the city and you will almost inevitably find:

- Gap
- Banana Republic
- J. Crew
- Forever 21
- H&M
- either Zara, Esprit, or Express, possibly all three
- Old Navy
- Urban Outfitters
- Victoria's Secret
- Armani Exchange
- at least one "signature denim" place like True Religion, Seven For All Mankind, or Lucky Brand
- at least one of the more "unique" global chains that aren't spread around the US yet like Uniqlo or Topshop

Sprinkle in a starbucks or two, a Best Buy, and a few other ersatz stores, and there you go. It's kind of uncanny, really. In other cities, they have malls. In New York, we have half of Manhattan. Of course, if you're from Houston our exterior urban malls will still seem pretty exotic because you may not be familiar with half those stores. And y'know, they're outside. With taxis and garbage and hipsters and shit.
posted by Sara C. at 6:40 PM on June 11, 2011 [2 favorites]

I agree with the LES and Williamsburg (though you did mention wanting to be in Manhattan).

Also take a walk on 9th street between 2nd Ave and and Ave A. There's a string of little boutiques.

And I will link you to one of my favorite stores: pinkyotto. They have a few locations--one on 9th, one in Soho, and some others.
posted by millipede at 9:12 PM on June 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

34th Street doesn't even count, that's Queens (yes, it is!) The Seaport is a mall. Fifth in the high 40s up to the Park is mall-esque, mid sixties through eighties on Columbus, and Broadway -- mall mall mall. Madison Avenue is Rodeo Drive-ish, who needs it, you've got that stuff in Texas. Just look at the shoppers, they are tourists. Quirky designers, design labs, fashion-forward, unusual things you won't find back home (but will find online 'tho not with the same charm experience): Williamsburg, LES, pockets of Tribeca, Nolita.
posted by thinkpiece at 5:02 AM on June 12, 2011

I need to go shopping where you are. I'd kill not to have to go all the way down to 34th Street for Old Navy, which I happen to love.
posted by TravellingCari at 11:35 AM on June 12, 2011