Department Stores : Lucky Magazine

Jeffrey New York

Find sublime picks from designer labels at this upscale mini department store.
449 W. 14th St. (btw. Ninth/10th Aves.), 212-206-1272, jeffreynewyork.com

Though highly-regarded as the ultimate department store, they always take a chance on emerging labels, often before even the smallest boutiques do. Its Co-op area—our favorite—focuses on young designers.
660 Madison Ave. (at 61st St.), 212-826-8900, barneys.com

Bergdorf Goodman

The most posh and refined of the heavy hitters; has an elegant environment and stellar sales help. Its raved-about fifth-floor shoe salon is filled with choice picks from all the heavy hitters. Also on the fifth floor, is an upscale yet understated accessories section.
754 Fifth Ave. (at 57th St.), 212-753-7300, bergdorfgoodman.com

Bloomingdale's

Hit the uptown flagship for hip collections on the sprawling second floor, and the excellent in-store boutiques for big-name designers on the ground level. Visit during one of its famous sales, and you'll find serious bargains.
1000 Third Ave. (at 59th St.), 212-705-2000, bloomingdales.com

Henri Bendel

Though it's technically a department store, Bendel has always had the intimate feel of a boutique: There are many winding staircases, tiny nooks, and quiet areas in which to find yourself browsing for a bottle of obscure French perfume. 712 Fifth Ave. (at 56th St.), 800-H-BENDEL, henribendel.com

Macy's

This legendary space is perhaps the best-known department store in the entire city—it's anchored Herald Square for more than 100 years. Shop for everything from sexy stilettos to KitchenAid mixers.
151 W. 34th St. (at Broadway), 212-695-4400, macys.com

Saks Fifth Avenue

Glam yet unpretentious, this department store giant has an incredible ground-floor beauty selection, plus easy-to-navigate circular layouts on the rest of its 10 floors.
611 Fifth Ave. (at 50th St.), 212-753-4000, saksfifthavenue.com

Takashimaya

Serene and spacious; the highlights of this seven-story Japan-based department store are gorgeously packaged cosmetics, delicate jewelry, and an on-site florist that specializes in exotic blooms. There's even a traditional tea salon in the basement.
693 Fifth Ave. (between 54th and 55th Sts.), 212-350-0100, takashimaya-ny.com

Barneys Co-op

This boutique-like offshoot of department store chainlet Barneys New York (see Upper East Side) focuses on hip emerging labels.
236 W. 18th St. (between Seventh and Eighth Aves.), 212-593-7800, barneyscoop.com

Bloomingdale's SoHo

The six-floor SoHo store has a more youthful, downtown approach than the original uptown Bloomingdale's (see the Upper East Side map). There's a wealth of emerging and small labels, plus lots of shoes and bags from up-and-coming lines.
504 Broadway (between Spring and Broome Sts.), 212-729-5900, bloomingdales.com