Shop Like a Real New Yorker: Shop Smarter, not Harder on Your Next Trip to the Big Apple
One of the best things about being in New York City is the individuality in style every person brings to the street. In the Lower East Side, a western chic style with tall cowboy boots, long flowy skirts, and tote bags is the uniform for a hot day and hop on the 1 train to the Upper East Side to find classic linen sets and Kelly bags that whisper old wealth. Each area of the city has its own character, with independent boutiques and stores that carry a more curated selection of pieces that couldn’t be found anywhere else.
1. Shop Untitled
Instagram: @shopuntitled
Shop Untitled is a boutique in the West Village with deep roots in the city. Since its establishment in 1984, Shop Untitled has been part of introducing internationally renowned designers’ first lines, including Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, and Alexander McQueen. Founders Gapu Suri and Kevin Kelly feature designers creating original pieces that disrupt the fashion industry and have exclusive designs for Untitled.
2. Assembly New York
Instagram: @assemblynewyork
Assembly New York is hidden in the Lower East Side but a beacon for modern fashion. Established in 2008, founder and former gallerist Greg Armas created Assembly NY as an innovative retail location for men’s and women’s RTW designer clothing. The independent and rare designers represented in the boutique are chosen to carry the brand ethos of forward-thinking and original designs, with other vintage and archival pieces interwoven throughout its collections. Assembly NY also launched its own line, Assembly, in 2009 carrying that same brand ethos in their pieces.
3. Cloak & Dagger
Instagram: @cloakanddaggernyc
Nestled in the Lower East Side, Brookelyn Starnes created Cloak & Dagger, in 2009, to provide pieces she was looking for in terms of style and quality but wasn’t finding at the time. Starnes continues to create trendy but timeless pieces that will last forever and allow for flares of individuality to shine through.
Tokio7, a Japanese-owned consignment boutique in the Lower East Side, carries unique designer pieces with a push to introduce their customers to Japanese culture. With designer brands, including Commes Des Garcons, Versace, and Gucci, some pieces will make any outfit original.
5. Front General Store
Instagram: @frontgeneralstore
Front General Store, in Brooklyn, offers classic vintage and contemporary designer clothing and jewelry collection. Featuring brands like Burberry, Tiffany & Co, and Polo Ralph Lauren, Front General carries clothing that stands the test of time and style. This is not a place to shop for the latest trend, but where to find special pieces that showcase personal style with eclectic graphic tees and quality knits.
6. The Niche Shop
Instagram: @the.niche.shop
Located on the Upper East Side, owner Nichole created The Niche Shop in 2021 as a pop-up vintage shop dedicated to high-quality secondhand and upcycled pieces. The Niche Shop, which opened in 2022, is a location where Nichole and her partner Nick source pieces that are stylish and unique. Their goal is to promote sustainable fashion and to lessen the carbon footprint of the fashion industry by as much as they can.
7. Dauphinette
Instagram: @dauphinette.nyc
Dauphinette was established in 2018 by Oliva Cheng to launch her own line with pieces incorporating upcycled leather, fur, and vintage materials. Located in the West Village, Accessories, purses, and a small selection of RTW were added to the boutique to extend the selection. Dauphinette features pieces that have a lot of character with a level of whimsy, bright colors, and fun textiles.
Whether the vibe for the summer is laid back bohemian or quiet luxury with a parisien flare, these boutiques will fit every need for unique pieces guaranteed to stand out in a crowd. New York City is one of the fashion capitals of the world because the melting of the new and old to create its own identity. Because of the sheer volume of choices here, finding personalized style within that identity can be easy, if you know where to look.
Article by Emma Karp, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
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