Marie-Claire did a interesting compilation of the 50 Best Fashion Stores in America, State by State and in alphabetic order. We do not agree with a few of them, and they also missed some great ones, but hey! Its Marie-Claire after all….
See their selection for NY and LA below…
NEW YORK, NY
It looks like Marie-Claire, never really went shopping in New York ! What about Oak, Jeffrey’s, Odin and Dear 55 (as well as plenty more) but I guess it was more focus on their female demographic…
Eryn Brinié
501 Broadway
New York, NY
(212) 308-6134
erynbrinie.com
The Draw: The first U.S. outpost of South Korea’s popular line boasts feminine, French-inspired pieces with a downtown, deconstructed edge. Prices rarely reach $300. Be sure to hit up their complimentary personal-shopping service when you visit.
Kirna Zabête
96 Greene Street
New York, NY
(212) 941-9656
kirnazabete.com
The Draw: Wish you could handpick your clothes from the runway? You can at this shop whose owners have brought top picks from the catwalk to shoppers over the last decade. Score the latest from Balenciaga and Rick Owens while you snack on the candy (gummy sharks, anyone?) that’s always on hand.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh
123 Norfolk Street
New York, NY
(212) 673-6405
maryamnassirzadeh.com
The Draw: An extension of the love affair between designer Maryam and her fiancé, Uday Kak, this shop is a fusion of new-world treasures, like Jane D’Arensbourg’s glass necklaces, and old-world finds, like handmade throw pillows by A Détacher.
Début
298 Mulberry Street
New York, NY
(212) 343-2717
debutnewyork.com
The Draw: Want to discover the next Marc Jacobs? This boutique showcases talented, emerging designers set to take the world by storm in a gallery-like setting adored by style seekers.
Century 21
22 Cortlandt Street
New York, NY
(212) 227-9092
c21stores.com
The Draw: Fight the crowds at this discount designer mecca and you could score a Calvin Klein dress for far less than its retail price. Be sure to hit up the shoe department—there are 100,000 pairs for the trying on! You’ll also find clothes, accessories, cosmetics, and lingerie from your favorite designers marked down 35 to 65 percent.
Opening Ceremony
35 Howard Street
New York, NY
(212) 219-2688
openingceremony.us
The Draw: Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley and Karen O are fans of this popular bicoastal boutique (there’s also an L.A. outpost). The store-showroom-gallery combo is like the fashion Olympics, bringing together top talent from all over the world. Let the games begin!
Topshop
478 Broadway
New York, NY
(212) 966-9555
topshop.com
The Draw: When this U.K. retailer opened its doors in the U.S. for the first time, pandemonium ensued in the form of neverending lines. The rush has simmered a bit now, but the finds remain. Snag fashion-forward items designed by trendmakers like Kate Moss. And don’t miss the drool-worthy shoes!
Uniqlo
546 Broadway
New York, NY
(917) 237-8811
uniqlo.com/us
The Draw: This flagship store is the Japan-based brand’s only U.S. outpost. The global chain has made a name for itself by selling easy-towear, nicely priced staples and must-have luxe items, like cashmere sweaters in more colors than you’ll see in a bag of Skittles.
Pas de Deux
328 East 11th Street
New York, NY
212-475-0075
pasdedeuxny.com
The Draw: This boutique’s chandelier-lit racks feature pieces by forward-thinking designers like Phillip Lim. The owners believe the labels they carry will grow with them, so you can always revisit the same lines. Check out Fenwick by Engineered Garments— exclusive here in the U.S.
Ina
21 Prince Street
New York, NY
(212) 334-9048
inanyc.com
The Draw: Find designer items in mint condition at this upscale consignment shop. The pieces that fill all five Manhattan locations are by the designers who make headlines at Fashion Week. Look out for Patricia Field, famous for styling the ladies of Sex and the City. She shops and drops off items to be resold here.
Inven.tory
237 Lafayette Street
New York, NY
(212) 226-5292
inventorynyc.com
The Draw: If overstock.com were to apply its famous cost-cutting principles to create a boutique featuring the latest designers, the result would be this store. You’ll get your hands on Cheap Monday and other hot finds for 60 to 80 percent less than the retail price, in a cool yet comfy setting.
Jessie James
95 Greenwich Avenue
New York, NY
(212) 217-9944
jessiejamesonline.com
The Draw: Find the Lorick label you’ve drooled over on Gossip Girl here (the clothes are portrayed as Eleanor Waldorf’s designs). Your guy will love the free beer (there’s champagne, too), and the gratis personal-shopping service will solve any “What do I wear this with?” dilemma.
LOS ANGELES, CA
Euh, Marie-Claire, have you ever been to LA ??! Where is Maxfield’s ? One of the best Fashion Stores in the World ! And What about H-Lorenzo and Douglas Fir ? And dont forget Fred Segalas well!
Heist
1104 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice, CA
(310) 450-6531
shopheist.com
The Draw: Proprietress Nilou Ghodsi left her investment career to open this edgy shop. Basics from Humanoid attract A-listers like Julia Roberts and Naomi Watts. But every shopper is important. No matter how small your purchase, you’ll receive a handwritten thank you from Ghodsi. Bonus: Reuse the “Repeat Offender” bags offered in-store and earn dollars toward future must-haves.
Confederacy
4661 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 913-3040
shopconfederacy.com
The Draw: Co-owners Danny Masterson and Ilaria Urbinati believe in service. Vintagelooking phone booths serve as dressing rooms where you can call a sales clerk to request size swaps—as if the shop’s hip indie labels (including an exclusive line designed by The Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr.) weren’t enough to get us there in the first place.
TenOverSix
7427 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 330-9355
tenover6.com
The Draw: Designer Kristen Lee knows that wearing an outfit without accessories is like eating a cake without icing— why bother? When she opened this boutique with partners in August 2008, she decided to make jewelry, bags, shoes, hats, belts, lingerie, and sunglasses the main attraction. White walls display the everchanging array of unique finds from about 70 different emerging and independent designers, like Zanzan and Wundervoll.
American Apparel Factory Store
747 Warehouse Street
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 488-0226 x1459
americanapparel.net
The Draw: Tees to live in are 30 to 50 percent less here. Colors and products are tested at this shop, so you’ll find items that may never enter the mainstream market or just haven’t hit the regular outposts yet. Sign up online for a factory tour to get a behind-the-scenes look at how everything is made.
Scout
1646 North Cherokee Avenue
Hollywood, CA
(323) 658-8684
scoutla.com
The Draw: The new digs of this California mainstay offers the Scout line that owner Joey Grana designs, in addition to vintage clothes and accessories. While the Scout Collection is sold elsewhere, you’ll find pieces here that aren’t anywhere else. Try on the garb—which rarely exceeds $300—behind the dressing rooms’ antique doors.
American Rag
150 South La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 935-3154
amrag.com
The Draw: In what was once a car showroom, you’ll now find a Denim Bar, almost the size of an arena football field that includes everything from Prps to J Brand. Countless racks of vintage clothing, separated by period, style, and color, attract Olsenesque girls, and the endless shoe selection carries Frye, Keds, and Delman. Plus, the overall price range satisfies all budgets. 20% off at all locations
