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Count your BBlessings: source vintage clothing, DVDs and LPs at this hip boutique

Boutiques
5 in 1
Graphic artist Norman Rabinovich’s clever co-op shop is pure Brooklyn. At 5 in 1, a studio of five arty locals have flung open their doors to sell their wares to the buying public. In an old, wood-panelled railroad car warehouse overlooking Manhattan and the East River, pick up pieces by Make Her Think, Eventide and knits by Uluru.
5 in 1, 60 North Sixth St, Brooklyn (1-718 384 1990/www.studio5in1.com). Subway: L to Bedford. Open Tues-Sun 12noon-7pm.

BEST FOR MENSWEAR
BBlessing
Luis Buñuel DVDs, David Bowie LPs and vintage oddities sit well with cult menswear labels such as Surface to Air, Raf Simons and Preen at new menswear boutique BBlessing. Here, fashion is treated rather seriously, although with an interior inspired by a turn-of-the-century Parisian absinthe bar, one can only hope BBlessing is not without a sense of humour. All this and the store’s own signature label of hoodies, T-shirts and a rather lovely travel journal.
BBlessing, 181 Orchard St, between Houston & Stanton (1-212 378 8005/www.bblessing.com). Subway: F, V to 2nd Avenue. Open Mon-Fri 1-9pm; Sat-Sun 12noon-8pm.
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BEST FOR DISCOUNT FASHION
Century 21
Although not strictly a boutique, where else could you snag a white men’s suit by Gucci for $300, or a Marc Jacobs cashmere sweater for less than $200? No, you’re not dreaming – you’re shopping at Century 21. The prized score is admittedly rare but the place is still intoxicating; savings range between a staggering 25 and 75 per cent off regular prices, making this a Mecca for less minted fashionistas.
Century 21, 22 Cortlandt St, between Broadway & Church St (1-212 227 9092/www.c21stores.com). Subway: R, W to Cortlandt St. Open 7.45am-8pm Mon-Wed, Fri; 7.45am-8.30pm Thur; 10am-8pm Sat; 11am-7pm Sun.

Prison or shop? Comme des Garçons

Comme des Garçons
In this austere store devoted to Rei Kawakubo’s architectural designs for men and women, clothing is hung like art in an innovative space that feels like a gallery – well placed in Chelsea.
Comme des Garçons, 520 W 22nd St, between 10th & 11th Avenues (1-212 604 9200). Subway: C, E to 23rd St. Open 11am-7pm Tue-Sat; 12noon-6pm Sun.

Elizabeth Charles
Oz native Elizabeth Charles transferred her eponymous shop from the West Village to the fashion nexus of the Meatpacking District last year, allowing for an even greater selection of flirty clothes from designers Down Under. Most labels are exclusive to the store, so chances are you won’t see your outfit on anyone else – unless you go to Australia.
Elizabeth Charles, 639 Hudson St, between Gansevoort & Horatio Sts (1-212 243 3201/www.elizabeth-charles.com). Subway: A, C, E to 14th St; L to 8th Avenue. Open 12noon-7.30pm Tue-Sat; 12noon-6.30pm Sun 12noon-6.30pm.

Mickey take: accessories at Odin

Den
This teeny 350-square-foot store acts as a gallery to its favourite international designers. An extension of the city’s Odin menswear stores, Den features only one designer at a time. With Stockholm-based label Cheap Monday’s posher line SundaySun currently on the racks, 2008 will see installations using pieces by Karen Walker and Robert Geller.
Den, 330 E 11th St, between 1st & 2nd Avenue (1-212 475 0079/www.dennewyork.com). Subway: L to 1st Avenue. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-9pm, Sun 12noon-8pm.

BEST FOR LOCAL DESIGNERS
I Heart
Jill Bradshaw and Toni Kojuharova’s forward-thinking, underground (literally) boutique is marked out with a cute pink neon sign. Stocking affordable leftfield designers like Tsumori Chisato, Jessica Ogden and Perks and Mini, I Heart’s friendly, no-pressure service stands out in a city of pushy sales monsters.
I Heart, 262 Mott St between Prince St and Houston Sts (1-212 219 9265/www.iheartnyc.com). Subway: B, D; F, V to Broadway-Lafayette. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-8pm, Sun 12noon-7pm.

INA
For the past 11 years, INA on Thompson Street has reigned over the downtown consignment scene. The Soho location features drastically reduced couture pieces, the shop on Prince Street carries trendier clothing and the Mott Street shop is for men.
INA, 101 Thompson St, between Prince & Spring Sts (1-212 941 4757/www.inanyc.com) Subway: C, E to Spring St. Open Mon-Thur, Sun 12noon-7pm; Fri, Sat 12noon-8pm.

In God We Trust SoHo
Brooklyn designer Shana Tabor’s second boutique drags a little bit of Williamsburg kicking and screaming into SoHo. Stocking Tabor’s own vintage-inspired jewellery (made with chains, charms and coins), the store’s antique feel is a clever contrast against smart men’s and women’s labels like Rittenhouse, Kristen Coastes, Tabor’s own range, and other pieces by local designers.
In God We Trust, 265 Lafayette St, between Spring and Prince Sts (1-212 966 9010/www.ingodwetrustnyc.com). Subway: R, W to Prince St. Open Tues-Sat 12noon-8pm, Sun 12noon-7pm.

Get kitted out in retro finery at vintage classic Marmalade

Marmalade
Marmalade, one of the cutest vintage clothing stores on the Lower East Side, has some of the hottest 1970s and ’80s threads to be found below Houston Street. That slinky cocktail dress or ruffled blouse is tucked amid a selection of well-priced, well-cared-for items including accessories and vintage shoes.
Marmalade, 172 Ludlow St, between Houston & Stanton Sts (1-212 473 8070/marmaladevintage.com) Subway: F, V to Lower East Side-Second Avenue. Open daily 12noon-9pm.

BEST FOR WOMENSWEAR
Mayle
Jane Mayle’s miniature boutique has always outshone its larger Elizabeth Street neighbours with its vintage-style luxury pieces. Setting up shop in 1999, Mayle stuck out like a sore thumb in this once-rum neighbourhood, but its soft, feminine collections have always sat well with local celebs such as Sophia Coppola. A Nolita classic.
Mayle, 242 Elizabeth St between Houston & Prince Sts (1-212 625 0406/www.mayleonline.com). Subway: F, V to 2nd Ave-Lower East Side. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-7pm, Sun 12noon-6pm.

Only Hearts
In 1978, Only Hearts was an unabashedly girly boutique of heart-shaped treasures, corsets and lingerie. Today, the range has expanded to casual womenswear, but with a saucy lingerie aesthetic.
Only Hearts, 230 Mott St between Spring & Prince Sts (1-212 431 3694/www.onlyhearts.com). Subway: 6 to Spring St. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-8pm; Sun 12noon-7pm.

World wide threads: Opening Ceremony is organised by country

BEST FOR LEFTFIELD FASHION
Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony offers a stylish trip around the world, in a warehouse-size space gussied up with grape-coloured walls and crystal chandeliers. The boutique presents fashions by country, with an emphasis on European work. Buyers cull from couture labels, independent designers, mass-market brands and open-air markets. January and February 2008 will see LA design go head-to-head with NYC, alongside Swedish, German and Brazilian labels, too.
Opening Ceremony, 35 Howard St, between Broadway & Lafayette St (1-212 219 2688). Subway: J, M, N, Q, R, W, Z, 6 to Canal St. Open 11am-8pm Mon-Sat; 12noon-7pm Sun.

Patricia Field
Some people celebrate their fortieth anniversary with rubies or extravagant parties. Not Patricia Field. She commemorated 40 years in retail
with this boutique. Graffiti by street artist De la Vega, trophies from the sets of ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, and a neon sign from her now-closed Hotel Venus outpost make some lively set dressings for playful garb.
Patricia Field, 302 Bowery, between Bleecker & Houston Sts (1-212 966 4066/www.patriciafield.com). Subway: C, E to Spring St. Open 12noon-8pm Mon-Thur, Sun; 12noon-9pm Fri, Sat.

Charlotte Ronson
Teen Vogue favourite, popular Brit expat designer Ronson’s Mulberry St boutique stocks her complete collections. Simple, cute separates, sexy cocktail dresses and T-shirts with a slight retro/rock feel.
Charlotte Ronson, 239 Mulberry St between Prince & Spring Sts (1-212 625 9074/www.charlotteronson.com). Subway: 6 to Spring St. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-7pm, Sun 12noon-6pm.