West Village/Meatpacking District/Chelsea/Union Square : Lucky Magazine

Albertine

It's nearly impossible to step into any of Kyung Lee's shops (the three are all in a row) on any given weekend without encountering at least one Lucky editor. That's because Lee is constantly taking risks on emerging labels—all with a romantic air—and she's almost always on hand to ensure that everything fits beautifully. Her two most recently opened projects, Albertine Workshop and Albertine General, provide custom reworked vintage dresses and curiosity-shop-like home goods, respectively. Albertine: 13 Christopher St. WEST VILLAGE 212-924-8515; Albertine Workshop: 19 Christopher St. WEST VILLAGE 212-924-8515; Albertine General: 15 Christopher St. WEST VILLAGE 212-924-8515, albertine-nyc.com

Annelore

A Lucky favorite since its inception in 2002, this shop's namesake line has a retro undercurrent. The collection is imbued with a romantic Eastern European influence: Jumpers are made from men's twill suiting, and Prussian-floral-print dresses feature pristine white French cuffs.
636 Hudson St. (at Horatio St.), 212-255-5574

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique

Apartment 48

This cleverly conceived home decor shop is designed like an actual apartment: There's a Moroccan-influenced living room, an understated kitchen, a chinoiserie-influenced bedroom, a primary-bright nursery, and a botanical-themed bathroom.
12 W. 17th St. (between Fifth and Sixth Aves.), 212-807-1391, apartment48.com

Products: Beauty
Type of Store: Boutique

Aloha Rag

This Honolulu-based operation is probably most known for its website, which is one of the best resources in the world for highly stylish items from designers both luxe (Lanvin, Chloé) and kooky-cool (Hysteric Glamour). What many don't realize is that there's also an all-white, sun-drenched emporium in the far West Village. 505 Greenwich St. WEST VILLAGE 212-925-0882, aloharag.com

Auto

One of the first retailers to move to the now bustling Meatpacking District, this two-storefront home accessories, jewelry, and gift shop is beloved for its ability to root out strong, small labels. You'll see John Robshaw batiked bedding and '60s-ish, rainbow-hued I. Ronni Kappos necklaces. 805 Washington St. MEATPACKING DISTRICT 212-229-2292, thisisauto.com

Balenciaga

Revered for its handbags, particularly its soft, slouchy, insanely popular goat-leather "Motorcycle" satchel; the full range of bags is found here, alongside clothing and shoes.
542 W. 22nd St. (between 10th and 11th Aves.), 212-206-0872, balenciaga.com for more information

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

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

Beyond 7

In a smart move, Showroom Seven (one of NYC's most established fashion agencies) decided to use the vacant space below its offices as a store. It’s decorated with relics from runway shows (like a yarn deer head that a model wore on the Benjamin Cho runway in 2008), and its suspended racks hold a deep selection from the designers the agency represents, including Elise Øverland, Erickson Beamon, and Issa London. 601 W. 27th St. CHELSEA 646-619-6857

Brooklyn Industries

Reasonably priced casual pieces with an urban slant, like slim-cut canvas utility pants and formfitting hoodies, are this Brooklyn-based chainlet's claim to fame. They also make great down coats.
161 Eighth Ave. (at W. 18th St.), 212-206-0477, brooklynindustries.com

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

La Cafetière

This Chelsea decor store focuses on the little luxuries in life, like Basque linen towels and Limoges flowerpots. The main act is upscale tableware—Forge de Laguiole knives, jacquard placemats, Italian pewter pitchers, and more.
160 Ninth Ave. (at 20th St.), 646-486-0667, la-cafetiere.com for more information

Products: Decorative/Lighting, Linens, Tabletop
Type of Store: Boutique