New York City is known for its iconic shopping scene. Since the late 1800s, New York City has been undisputed as America’s retail capital. Its shimmering concrete streets are teeming with luxury flagships and historic department stores, along with edgy independent boutiques. Few visitors from outside the city venture beyond the chain stores on 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Center, or in Herald Square.
Erin Walsh is a long-time New Yorker and stylist for Hollywood stars like Anne Hathaway, Selena Gomez, and others. Walsh is an avid shopper and loves New York City. She said, “I love New York.” “I feel that when you live in New York, it not only becomes a part of your identity but your heart begins to beat with it.”
Walsh’s shopping philosophy in New York City: “Get Lost.” You can only be surprised and inspired by wandering around. Walsh’s idea of getting lost is to meander through “pockets” that are laser-focused in her favorite neighbourhoods, creating ultra-niche experiences. She said, “I think about the restaurants nearby.” “Things which feel cozy… just make it more fun.”
This expert’s guide will help you “get lost” in the New York City shopping scene.
1. SoHo is the best place to shop for women’s clothing between West Broadway and Broadway
Erin Walsh, celebrity stylist and Sex and the City fanatic, fell in love with New York City as a student. Since then, she has styled many Hollywood celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker.
Walsh enjoys scouring the streets for unexpected boutiques. Kirna Zbete, on Mercer Street, offers a highly curated collection of both renowned and up-and-coming designers.
Walsh enjoys stopping at “special spots” like La Mercerie while in this SoHo stretch. She said, “It is not just a restaurant.” It’s a clothing store, a showroom. The restaurant sells everything. “They even sell flowers… then you go to Balthazar (restaurant and bar) at the end.”
2. The Bowery is the best place to shop for men.
Walsh shops for male clients in the Bowery district of downtown Manhattan, a gritty stretch of city blocks that she calls “woodsy, “underrated, and “absolutely.
Walsh’s favourite Bowery shops can be found in a pocket of the Bowery Hotel. This includes [upscale home décor store] John Derien, located on 2nd Street. Walsh describes this shop as her “Christmas Problem Solver. Dashwood Books, located on Bond Street, is another place she always visits. She said, “It is my husband’s favorite bookstore.” Just that little stretch. It’s cosy and lovely. There’s also a Goop store. It’s an amazing collection of small shops.”
3. Midtown is the best place to shop for traditional Christmas shopping
New York City’s shopping scene is always unique, but it is never more so during the winter holidays. (Credit Miracle on 34th Street). Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade down 5th Avenue attracts throngs of spectators every year. The ritzy Rockefeller Center shops are as popular as the massive Christmas tree on the plaza. And the holiday window displays at 5th Avenue’s historic department stores, such as Bergdorf Goodman or Saks, are legendary.
Walsh makes it a habit to visit Midtown, which is usually crowded with tourists during the holidays. She said, “You must go to Midtown to do all that.” It’s so special. It’s amazing. I can’t move when I take my children to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. It’s great.”
4. Tribeca and the West Village are best for interior design.
Walsh, who studied theater at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, is as passionate about interiors and fashion as she is about style, finding joy in the layering of textures and materials in New York City’s tiny spaces. She said that if you are living an aesthetic lifestyle, the spaces you let into your energy will have a big impact on how you feel.
She visits the sophisticated Tribeca district and the dilapidated streets of West Village to find beautifully designed homewares, including mirrors and candlesticks. “I have given rugs, furniture, trays, and books. She said, “I think a robe is a lovely gift.” “I like the idea of giving someone a gift… You want them to feel seen and held.”
She enjoys shopping at fragrance stores and visiting candle shops. Fragrances are what she considers a “surprising” gift. She said, “People say to never do that.” “But I feel that the best gifts are those where you risk your life.”
5. SoHo between Thompson and West Broadway is the best place for children.
Walsh returns to SoHo whenever she wants to buy something for her children. She narrows down the search to two blocks on the westernmost part of SoHo, and cites Bonpoint, on West Broadway, as the main designer for children in this area. She said, “There are so many cute shops for kids there. You only discover them when you wander around.”
Makie, on Thompson Street, is another of her favorite stores for children: “The most beautiful clothes for kids… It’s Japanese, but it feels a bit Scandinavian. A final stop at Ladurée on West Broadway will delight both adults and children. Their signature macarons are packaged in a beautiful box.
