New York Shopping Guide

Diane von Furstenberg

When you walk into Diane Von Furstenberg, you know you're going to find beautiful silhouettes: smocked, cropped jackets over full skirts, and filmy dresses under swingy trapeze coats.
874 Washington St. (at W. 14th St.), 646-486-4800, dvf.com

Products: Swimwear, Women's Clothing, Jewelry, Beauty
Type of Store: Boutique

The Earnest Sewn Co.

Designed to recall an old-fashioned general store, denim line Earnest Sewn's roomy flagship features antique factory fixtures and findings. Best-selling jeans, like the super-slim cigarette-leg "Harlan" and the low-rise "Decca," are stacked in weathered wood cubbies.
821 Washington St. (between Little West 12th and Gansevoort Sts.), 212-242-3414, earnestsewn.com

Products: Denim, Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique

Maison Martin Margiela

This outpost for minimalist, irreverent Belgian designer Martin Margiela has a witty, deconstructed look, with lamps on tripods, shoes displayed in a repurposed meat freezer, and a diner-style placard out on the sidewalk (there's no other sign to alert passersby).
801-803 Greenwich St. (between W. 12th and Jane Sts.), 212-989-7612, maisonmartinmargiela.com for more information

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique

Otte

When neighborhood girls need a last-minute party dress or a vacation-worthy tunic, this is where they go. Otte traffics in the sort of effortlessly pretty pieces that seamlessly integrate into any wardrobe, whether it's a 3.1 Phillip Lim skirt or Current/Elliott jeans. 121 Greenwich Ave. WEST VILLAGE 212-229-9424; 1281 Madison Ave. UES 212-289-2644; 132 N. Fifth St. WILLIAMSBURG 718-302-3007, otteny.com

Stella McCartney

McCartney excels at creating cleverly tailored garments with a modern look and feel. The devoted vegetarian never uses any animal fibers or leather in her clothing or bags.
429 W. 14th St. (between Ninth Ave. and Washington St.), 212-255-1556, stellamccartney.com for more information

Products: Women's Clothing, Beauty
Type of Store: Boutique

Theory

Clothing by Theory is always reliably subtle, streamlined, and easy to wear. No matter what the season, it turns out the best-fitting basics—you can't go wrong with its tailored trousers, blouses, and luxe, roomy bags.
40 Gansevoort St. (at Greenwich St.), 212-300-0800, theory.com

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags
Type of Store: Boutique

Forever 21

It's unbelievable how inexpensive—and on-trend—the clothing is here (the majority of the merchandise is under $30). The huge SoHo location is its newest in the city.
568 Broadway (at Prince St.), 212-941-5949, forever21.comfor store information

Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry
Type of Store: Designer Discount, Chain

Uniqlo

The formula at this recent arrival from Japan: Keep the inside of the store ultra-simple to focus the attention on the highly affordable, unfussy, super-cool clothing. Its under-$100 cashmere line is especially popular.
546 Broadway (between Prince and Spring Sts.), 917-237-8811, uniqlo.com

Products: Denim, Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags
Type of Store: Boutique

Costume National

Italian by design but imbued with a Japanese sensibility, this line favors a neutral palette and loose yet tailored shapes. Especially great are its shoes and bags.
160 Mercer St. (between Prince and Houston Sts.), 212-431-1530, costumenational.com

Products: Women's Clothing, Shoes
Type of Store: Boutique

Jill Stuart

New York-based Stuart always brilliantly interprets the season's trends.
100 Greene St. (between Prince and Spring Sts.), 212-343-2300, jillstuart.com

Products: Denim, Swimwear, Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty
Type of Store: Boutique