New York Shopping Guide

Louis Vuitton

Sheathed in a slick frosted-glass exterior, this giant Louis Vuitton punctuates the city's famously posh 57th Street and Fifth Avenue shopping intersection. It's a giant clubhouse of all things LV, from the "Neverfull" all-purpose monogram leather bag to bright charm bracelets.
1 E. 57th St. (at Fifth Ave.), 212-758-8877, louisvuitton.com

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

Manolo Blahnik

The now ubiquitous strappy, toothpick-thin heel was popularized by this Canary Islands-born designer. Though Blahnik's shoes are as posh as it gets, they also have a tastefully understated quality—as does his off-the-beaten-path boutique.
31 W. 54th St. (between Fifth and Sixth Aves.), 212-582-3007, manoloblahnik.com

Products: Shoes
Type of Store: Boutique

Olive & Bette's

With its carousel-like look (candy-striped walls, pink floral dressing room curtains) and huge selection of everything from Primp thermal tees to Rachel Pally jersey dresses, this biggest branch of the local chain is our hands-down favorite.
1070 Madison Ave. (at 81st St.), 212-717-9655, oliveandbettes.com

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

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

Searle

It started out making timelessly chic coats and has since expanded into a full-fledged chainlet selling everything from Walter dresses to Magaschoni tops. This Madison Avenue shop is its flagship—it has a slick black-and-white color scheme and two sprawling floors connected by a sweeping circular staircase.
635 Madison Ave. (between 59th and 60th Sts.), 212-750-5153, searlenyc.com

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

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

Yves Saint Laurent

There are two Manhattan locations of this ultra-glam French line to choose from, but we prefer the Upper East Side outpost. It's smaller (it doesn't sell menswear), and lots of attention is focused on the things we're most concerned with: namely, bags and shoes.
855 Madison Ave. (at 71st St.), 212-988-3821, yvessaintlaurent.com for more information

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

Zara

Its downtown locations seem to get more attention, and that's fine by us: It means the Lexington Avenue shop has less-picked-over merchandise and fewer weekend and after-work shoppers to contend with.
750 Lexington Ave. (at 59th St.), 212-754-1120, zara.com for more information

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

Anthropologie

With its two levels, stunning Fez-meets-Florence interior, and seemingly endless amounts of antique-influenced clothing, accessories, and housewares, this is Anthro's most ambitious New York City store yet. It even has the chain's first and only in-store art gallery.
50 Rockefeller Plaza (between Fifth and Sixth Aves.), 212-246-0386, anthropologie.com

Products: Denim, Lingerie/Loungewear, Swimwear, Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty, Antique, Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Outdoor, Tabletop, Books/Stationery, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

Banana Republic

If you want more of Banana Republic, the Rockefeller Center flagship won't disappoint. It's done up with art deco details and has three massive floors with everything from bags to dresses.
626 Fifth Ave. (at 51st St.), 212-974-2350, bananarepublic.com

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