clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

10 Can't-Miss Places to Shop in New York City

By Julie Davis
View as Map
By Julie Davis

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

As vacation season approaches, we'll be rolling out guides to the best shopping in ten Racked cities. On the docket for today: Racked NY's can't-miss stores.

American Two Shot. Photo by William Chan

If you're coming to New York City to shop, plan to set aside at least a few days to see all of the city has to offer. For shorter stays, must-hit neighborhoods include Nolita, Meatpacking, the West Village, and Williamsburg—and, thanks to recent newcomers, Murray Hill and the Upper West Side.

After the jump, see our map of the ten stores you definitely need to hit up before returning back to LA, ranging from the high-end stores all the way uptown to the best indie jewelry store in Brooklyn and one major fast fashion flagship.


· All Travel Guides [Racked Philly]
· All Racked Maps [Racked Philly] Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Barneys New York

Copy Link
You can spend a whole day (and easily get lost) at the Barneys flagship on Madison Avenue, but if you'd rather get straight to the point, head to the recently-revamped Upper West Side store for the best of the department store's designer and contemporary collections. [Photo: Barneys]
2151 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
(646) 335-0978
(646) 335-0978

Fivestory

Copy Link
Since it opened in 2012, Fivestory has garnered plenty of attention for its extremely well-edited selection of high-end merchandise. Expect beautiful (and pricey) designer goods from Peter Pilotto, Balmain, and Preen, and mainstream lines like Alexander Wang and Carven. [Photo: Brian Harkin]
18 E 69th St, New York, NY 10021
(212) 288-1338
(212) 288-1338

Zara

Copy Link
Like Beyoncé says, bow down bitches: the Zara flagship on Fifth Avenue is massive, and puts every other outpost to shame. The lines for the fitting rooms get intense, though, so make sure you set aside plenty of time before you visit. [Photo]
666 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
(212) 371-2555
(212) 371-2555

Dover Street Market

Copy Link
The Comme des Garçons Dover Street Market is a game changer for New York City retail: it's located in a neighborhood that's definitely not known for its fashion, and is arguably the epitome of the high-end boutique alternative to Manhattan's traditional concept of a department store. It's seven floors, and carries everything from Supreme tee shirts to custom Prada—with a lot of CDG labels scattered throughout. [Photo]
160 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
(646) 837-7750
(646) 837-7750

OWEN NYC

Copy Link
A true testament to a new boutique's staying power is how well it stacks up against its competition, and in Meatpacking, Owen has its fair share of that. However, in just a short period of time, Owen's not only made a name for itself in the neighborhood, but has also developed a loyal clientele—thanks to its mix of established contemporary designers and hip, under-the-radar brands. [Photo by Driely S.]
809 Washington St, New York, NY 10014
(212) 524-9770
(212) 524-9770

Personnel of New York

Copy Link
As NYT Jon Caramanica wrote, the potential outfits inside Personnel of New York "prioritize comfort, but they don't lean on it like a crutch." That means easy, reasonably priced merchandise from both established and up-and-coming NYC- and LA-based designers like Mara Hoffman, Objects Without Meaning, and more. [Photo by William Chan]
9 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014
212-924-0604
212-924-0604

American Two Shot

Copy Link
'Eclectic' is the most common denominator when asked to describe this Soho newcomer. Cheeky vintage streetwear hangs with lines like Porter Grey and Timo Weiland, and events like 'zine release parties and art shows are the regular. [Photo by William Chan]
135 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 925-3403
(212) 925-3403

Catbird

Copy Link
Catbird might just be Brooklyn's cutest jewelry store, thanks tiny bracelets and stackable rings from designers like Bittersweets NY, Blanca Monrós Gómez, Elizabeth Knight, Jacquie Aiche, WWAKE, and so many more. If you're not in the market for a new necklace, there's also a lovely selection of candles, bath products, sleep masks, and knick-knacks to peruse. [Photo by Brian Harkin]
219 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 599-3457
(718) 599-3457

Also featured in:

Bird

Copy Link
Jennifer Mankins' Brooklyn mini-empire has three outposts, but the 'Burg location is the biggest. The big, warm, LEED-certified space carries Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, Rag & Bone, and other designers so of-the-moment that if you only shopped there for the rest of your life, you'd still look hip. [Photo by Driely S.]
203 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 388-1655
(718) 388-1655

SWORDS-SMITH

Copy Link
This spacious, airy Williamsburg boutique sells both men's and women's clothing and accessories from indie labels like Degen, Lauren Moffatt, and Filson, alongside their own in-house line. [Photo by Rebecca Dale
98 South 4th St., Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 599-2969
(347) 599-2969
© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Barneys New York

2151 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
You can spend a whole day (and easily get lost) at the Barneys flagship on Madison Avenue, but if you'd rather get straight to the point, head to the recently-revamped Upper West Side store for the best of the department store's designer and contemporary collections. [Photo: Barneys]
2151 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
(646) 335-0978
(646) 335-0978

Fivestory

18 E 69th St, New York, NY 10021
Since it opened in 2012, Fivestory has garnered plenty of attention for its extremely well-edited selection of high-end merchandise. Expect beautiful (and pricey) designer goods from Peter Pilotto, Balmain, and Preen, and mainstream lines like Alexander Wang and Carven. [Photo: Brian Harkin]
18 E 69th St, New York, NY 10021
(212) 288-1338
(212) 288-1338

Zara

666 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
Like Beyoncé says, bow down bitches: the Zara flagship on Fifth Avenue is massive, and puts every other outpost to shame. The lines for the fitting rooms get intense, though, so make sure you set aside plenty of time before you visit. [Photo]
666 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
(212) 371-2555
(212) 371-2555

Dover Street Market

160 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
The Comme des Garçons Dover Street Market is a game changer for New York City retail: it's located in a neighborhood that's definitely not known for its fashion, and is arguably the epitome of the high-end boutique alternative to Manhattan's traditional concept of a department store. It's seven floors, and carries everything from Supreme tee shirts to custom Prada—with a lot of CDG labels scattered throughout. [Photo]
160 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
(646) 837-7750
(646) 837-7750

OWEN NYC

809 Washington St, New York, NY 10014
A true testament to a new boutique's staying power is how well it stacks up against its competition, and in Meatpacking, Owen has its fair share of that. However, in just a short period of time, Owen's not only made a name for itself in the neighborhood, but has also developed a loyal clientele—thanks to its mix of established contemporary designers and hip, under-the-radar brands. [Photo by Driely S.]
809 Washington St, New York, NY 10014
(212) 524-9770
(212) 524-9770

Personnel of New York

9 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014
As NYT Jon Caramanica wrote, the potential outfits inside Personnel of New York "prioritize comfort, but they don't lean on it like a crutch." That means easy, reasonably priced merchandise from both established and up-and-coming NYC- and LA-based designers like Mara Hoffman, Objects Without Meaning, and more. [Photo by William Chan]
9 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014
212-924-0604
212-924-0604

American Two Shot

135 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
'Eclectic' is the most common denominator when asked to describe this Soho newcomer. Cheeky vintage streetwear hangs with lines like Porter Grey and Timo Weiland, and events like 'zine release parties and art shows are the regular. [Photo by William Chan]
135 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 925-3403
(212) 925-3403

Catbird

219 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Catbird might just be Brooklyn's cutest jewelry store, thanks tiny bracelets and stackable rings from designers like Bittersweets NY, Blanca Monrós Gómez, Elizabeth Knight, Jacquie Aiche, WWAKE, and so many more. If you're not in the market for a new necklace, there's also a lovely selection of candles, bath products, sleep masks, and knick-knacks to peruse. [Photo by Brian Harkin]
219 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 599-3457
(718) 599-3457

Bird

203 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Jennifer Mankins' Brooklyn mini-empire has three outposts, but the 'Burg location is the biggest. The big, warm, LEED-certified space carries Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, Rag & Bone, and other designers so of-the-moment that if you only shopped there for the rest of your life, you'd still look hip. [Photo by Driely S.]
203 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 388-1655
(718) 388-1655

SWORDS-SMITH

98 South 4th St., Brooklyn, NY 11211
This spacious, airy Williamsburg boutique sells both men's and women's clothing and accessories from indie labels like Degen, Lauren Moffatt, and Filson, alongside their own in-house line. [Photo by Rebecca Dale
98 South 4th St., Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 599-2969
(347) 599-2969