New York shopping: Critics' picks

After graduating from NYU in 2006, Milwaukee native Kate Goldwater opened this funky shop, featuring a curated selection of vintage and thrift clothing ($5–$25) and accessories ($3–$30) that are easy on the eyes and the wallet. Most pieces inside are $30 or less and her finds are perfectly on-trend, which means you’ll find plenty of ’80s and ’90s pieces right now.  

The iconic open-air Chelsea flea, brought back from the dead by the team behind  Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea, showcases 40 veteran vendors selling mostly historic collectibles. If you love eclectic costume jewelry, quirky furniture, midcentury art and ceramics, records, antiques and art, and more, you’ll spend hours combing for treasure here. Plus, you'll now be able to grab a rewarding snack on the way out from various Smorgasburg food vendors that will soon be revealed. 

The best holiday markets are right here in NYC—full of both the holiday spirit and the most unique gifts out there. While fancy Christmas window displays may entice you, NYC's holiday markets often include ice skating, twinkling lights, great food vendors, and fun holiday activities. Shopping for the perfect gift doesn’t have to be stressful; make it fun at these holiday markets, from the Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market to the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park and more. We'll continue updating this guide throughout the holiday season, so stay tuned for new additions. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in New York Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

As big fans of this treasure trove of modern and vintage finds, we’re ecstatic that Brooklyn mainstay Beacon’s Closet (which has stores in Williamsburg and Park Slope) opened up shop in Manhattan. The simple space is adorned with three large chandeliers crafted from buttons by engineer Doug Newton and features one wall covered in dark, floral wallpaper. Although it’s half the size of the nearly 5,000-square-foot Williamsburg location, the Manhattan storefront boasts plentiful racks packed with retired closet duds consigned by locals, many of whom are trendy college kids from nearby schools. You’ll likely come across designer goods such as a Christian Dior cropped blazer ($25) or a Marc Jacobs men’s corduroy jacket ($30), although castaways from chains like H&M and Charlotte Russe are also in the mix. The store is abundant in one-of-a-kind accessories, including funky United Nude orange-and-red checkered booties ($50), but also stocks simpler shoes such as guys’ Gourmet red suede sneakers ($18). Drop by and exchange your own gently worn, in-season clothes for 35 percent of the resale value in cash, or 55 percent of store credit for your next purchase.

Russ & Daughters has been serving top lox, herring, fish eggs, sweets and, of course, bagels, since 1914. It has since expanded, adding, in more recent years, a sit-down cafe nearby, and a large retail factory in Brooklyn. 

While the giant signs that adorn this department store with the label of “The World’s Largest Store” are not true anymore, there’s no doubt that the flagship Macy’s is massive (with a big history to boot). For over a century, New Yorkers and visitors from the world over have been visiting Macy’s at its iconic location at 34th Street and Broadway. Though originally founded as a dry goods emporium in the 19th century, today shoppers flock to the store's 2.2 million square feet—which takes up a whole city block—to buy clothes, accessories and home goods.As one of the few major brick-and-mortar shops specializing in mid-priced fashion left in New York in this age of online retail and luxury brand–palooza, Macy’s carries a large amount of designer names you recognize that won’t cost you premium prices—especially during the deeply discounted sales offered periodically throughout the year. The 63,000-square-foot shoe department is the biggest on the planet and carries everything from dress shoes and delicate stilettos to work boots and slippers. Last-minute gift shoppers might be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options of perfumes, ties, scarves, watches and more, but great deals await those with patience.   Pro-tip: Look for the cool wooden escalators, which feel like stepping back in time.

Walking into this Flatiron spot feels as if you’ve just stumbled upon the best stall at the flea market. Worn-wood shelves support stack upon stack of assorted rainbow-colored dishes ($1–$17), mismatched vintage china ($5–$23), toile teapots ($15–$39) and other kitschy kitchenwares. The amazingly cheap price tags make it worth battling the often-pressing crowds to stock up on assorted flatware ($1–$6 each) and glassware, including oversize stemless martini glasses ($6), elegant champagne flutes ($8) and Italian-style painted wineglasses ($5). If you’re in need of a serious discount, plunder the sale section in the back for never-before-used castoffs from restaurant and hotel suppliers. But there are plenty of affordable, freshly minted kitchen goods too. Local-specific buys include platters printed with the Brooklyn skyline ($17–$25) and Floor Plan dinnerware (from $8 for a five-square-inch “studio” to $33 for a 12-by-16-inch “penthouse”).

Dig and ye shall find: The booty at this crazy-packed vintage store includes 1960s–1990s options for both guys and girls, plus a considerable costume jewelry and funky housewares selection. Not only is it chock full of great finds but it's really fun to look at. We went on a recent Saturday and found so much amid its racks, including a barely used sleek Michael Kors purse for $50 and a pair of never-worn, black velvet combat boots for $25. Even cooler, I found out that they take donations and you get 25% off your next purchase. Time Out Tip: The store spans two floors at 496 Driggs Avenue and 197 North 9th Street, so plan accordingly and bring some friends (and reusable bags) for a hunt to remember.

This NYC thrift shop has opened another location, which meshes perfectly with the Village aesthetic by offering on-trend, funky finds. The store features both vintage and new apparel, shoes, accessories and home goods, and it's organized with spaced-out, clearly labeled racks. The women’s section is filled with prom dresses, lingerie, blazers, designer bags and tops. On a recent visit, we discovered Salvatore Ferragamo loafers with silver buckles ($25), Kate Spade red kitten heels ($30) and thin rusty-gold bangles with Egyptian-like patterns ($4 each). While the gents’ section is smaller than the ladies’, there are designer duds to be had. Snag William Rast jeans ($25), J.Press tan lace-up loafers ($30) and a Jos. A. Bank beige houndstooth blazer ($25). The housewares selection has kitschy blue cat-shaped salt and pepper shakers ($3 each) and standard Keurig coffeemakers ($75). Roll through the streets of New York on your new Razor scooter ($30) or lie in bed writing your innermost thoughts in a Twilight journal featuring photos of the characters on the cover (four for $10). Before you head out the door, grab the Backstreet Boys’ "We’ve Got It Going On" CD single ($4), a Lucky Brand iPad case ($25) or the Office DVD board game ($8).

Want cash back without having to charge up a storm on your credit card? Bring your unwanted garb to the East Village outpost of this popular buy-sell-trade clothing shop and leave with padded pockets. The best part is that they won’t turn up their noses at Forever 21—all brands are welcome. Score a pair of 7 for All Mankind jeans for $25, current-season Manolo Blahniks for $250 or unload some designer goods for major dough.

Boasting 18 miles of books, the Strand has a mammoth collection of more than 2 million discount volumes, and the store is made all the more daunting by its chaotic, towering shelves and surly staff. Reviewer discounts are in the basement, while rare volumes lurk upstairs. If you spend enough time here you can find just about anything, from that out-of-print Victorian book on manners to the kitschiest of sci-fi pulp.

Suitsupply creates excellent custom suits at a reasonable price point. (Custom-made suits start at $773.) Of the five New York locations, you should absolutely make an effort to visit the Soho flagship location which features multiple floors (including a semi-private area for custom-suit consultations) and a stunning rooftop. On a recent visit, I sat down with one of the in-store style experts, Tristan, to create a custom suit. He led me through a process that was strikingly similar to the experience you would have for a considerably higher cost. First, we flipped through multiple fabric books to settle on the choice of fabric. There are an impressive amount of choices available, including over 700 sourced from Italian mills, that range from wool and cotton to alpaca, cashmere and silk. After describing the type of blue I was looking for, Tristan showed a collection of options and helped me narrow it down to a lovely shade in a lightweight fabric. After that, we went through a number of customizable options including type of button, pocket styles, type of waistband, style of lining, type of lapel and more. He also floated the idea of doing a three-piece suit which was a welcome piece of direction I wouldn’t have done if I was just choosing a suit on my own. After a round of extensive measurements, I left and returned a few weeks later for my final fitting. The finished suit had a fantastic fit. (It’s now one of my favorite suits I own.) The only adjustment needed was a...

In 2003, Artists & Fleas first opened in Williamsburg, but thanks to owners Amy Abrams and Ronen Glimer, you can shop awesome vendors in Manhattan's Chelsea Market. Just like the original location, this version of Artists & Fleas features goods that run the gamut from art and design to fashion and vintage. There are more than 30 independent designers hawking their goods everyday, so stop by to check out our personal favorites such as menswear brand Curated Basics, baubles from Brooklyn Charm and ready-to-wear designs by Avalove.  

This ever-changing marketplace in Soho offers a constantly evolving lineup of wares from artists and merchants. It's a great place to find a one-of-a-kind gift and to experience some amazing creativity. The marketplace has recently reopened for a series of weekend holiday pop-ups. Current seasonal merchants include Aliens of Brooklyn, Eat Records and Roots by Bella.

Since opening in Soho in 1993, Ina Bernstein’s minichain of designer consignment shops has expanded to six locations throughout NYC, including spots on the Upper East Side, in Nolita, Noho and now Chelsea. The spacious store is painted stark white to let the covetable preworn pieces—including Prada wool coats ($375–$625), a pair of Miu Miu leather boots ($250) and a Louis Vuitton leather mini logo purse ($595)—stand out on its well-edited racks and organized shelves. If you’re saddled with name-brand threads, make an appointment to unload your gently worn castoffs for up to 40 percent of the overall resale value. Keep an eye out for INA’s own eponymous house label of unisex basics that complement the higher-end merchandise, such as comfy cashmere beanies ($90), arm socks ($85) and fingerless gloves ($75).

This pair of vintage shops hawks affordable furniture, dishes, books, art, clothing and accessories—if you have the time to look. Sift through more than 5,000 square feet of merch to uncover treasures.

Here’s where the magic happens: At Jacques Torres’s Hudson Street retail location, kids can peer through the glass wall to the chocolate factory’s floor, where cocoa and sugar are processed into chocolate. (Of course, you can buy it here, too.)

The first floor of this respected thrift shop is devoted to jewelry cases, vintage furniture, and such curios as an old cash register and used sewing machine (both in working order). Head to the clean basement room to scour the racks for coats, skirts and jeans, priced to move at $35; or plop down on a cushioned bench to try on the shoes, organized on red bookshelves. The well-edited stock is in impeccable condition and sourced solely by donation—Cure donates all its proceeds to the Diabetes Research Institute. Check back twice a year for the shop’s whatever-you-can-fit-in-this-bag-that-costs-just-$15 sales.  

Right by Rockefeller Center, this posh Fifth Avenue department store is the place to go to for high-end retail and international luxury brands. Along with browsing through houseware, clothes and accessories, linger at in-store designer boutiques like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, its mecca shoe department or the beauty counter.

Set aside your Spotify playlists and scope out this homage to the once-lost art of vinyl. Academy Records’ Manhattan store in Chelsea carries a hearty supply of compact discs, but Greenpoint’s Annex focuses mostly on wax, offering everything from a self-titled Ginger Baker’s Air Force album from 1970 ($8) to newer sounds like Real Estate’s Days ($15). Shoppers lacking a record player can also pick up cheapie CDs from such bands as the Grateful Dead, while nostalgic audiophiles can take their time digging through discounted 45s (50¢–$2). The Annex also offers two listening stations for previewing older vinyl, and will buy your used records, provided they are in good condition (and not Broadway soundtracks).

This flower shop in the heart of the Flower District has many blooms to choose from at affordable prices. Some of the best sellers start at just $50, while some of the more expensive bouquets are still on the cheaper side at $70. This shop has different kinds of flowers for all different types of occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers and dates in NYC.

This sprawling vintage emporium shills just about anything you’d want in your closet: ultrasoft ’80s logo tees, flannel shirts, Chucks in every color, deadstock denim, vests, ties and special-occasion dresses. Slip into the back room for rarer (and pricier) vintage, including va-va-voom lingerie, frilly 1940s–1960s prom dresses and handsome letterman jackets. Across the street, the recently opened Stella Dallas Living offers vintage fabrics and textiles, including curtains ($20–$100), blankets ($80–$300) and 1980s bedsheets adorned with Star Wars and Peanuts characters.

There’s a rotating mix of astoundingly well-preserved designer and nonvintage clothing here, as well as one-of-a-kind housewares, shoes and accessories. We’ve found vintage Yves Saint Laurent blouses for $12, striped skinny ties for $6 and a pair of classic Salvatore Ferragamo pumps with bows on them for $10. Pretty much everything is a find, but you still get that thrill-of-the-hunt feeling.

With a client list that includes stars such as Rihanna, Rita Ora and Cara Delevingne, 27-year-old tattoo artist Keith McCurdy—a.k.a. Bang Bang—opens his first parlor. The brightly lit space features five workstations, a private room, a backyard with black canvas seating and a painted plaid-wall art installation by David Pappaceno (davidpappaceno.com) and Darkcloud. Get inked (minimum $200; with Bang Bang $1,000) by top artists including Jon Mesa, El-E Mags, Liz Markov, Tye Harris, Shey Haf-Ded and Little Dragon.

The specialty toy shop carries unusual, hard-to-find playthings, like a flat-car racing set. Also head here if you're looking for Madame Alexander dolls, Jellycat animals, Legos and other kid (and grown-up) classics.