Shopping near the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

This UES family-owned shop has been in the haute couture–recycling business since 1954 and is the place to go if you want to score Dior, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana dresses for 70 to 90 percent off retail price. While you shouldn’t schlep your bags of less-than-luxe stuff here expecting a trade (they only buy first-tier designer labels that are less than two years old and in great condition), come here if you want to treat yourself to something luxurious without breaking the bank.

If you struggle with the art of mixing trendy duds with basics, consider the contemporary styles found at this Upper East Side boutique, the key to unleashing your inner mixologist. This is the first Manhattan outpost, which opened last week, for the Long Island retailer, and you have every reason to be excited. While the brand is considered a fast-fashion chain due to its affordable pricing, the shop carries bohemian designer labels, including BB Dakota, Unif and For Love & Lemons, giving the store a leg up on its competitors H&M and Forever 21. Shop for Free Spirit layered necklaces ($35), Whitney Eve Windsor crop tops ($52) and Free People Lennon heels ($178)—you’ll want to add these to your wardrobe, stat.

Choose from a variety of sweet packages, or build your own party. Packages for children ages three and up include invitations, candy decorations, balloons, paper supplies, pizza, beverages, cake, games, crafts and party favors. The Sugar Babies package, for babes celebrating their first birthday, includes everything in the basic package as well as a photographer, a cotton candy machine, an entertainer and courier service for gift delivery. Call for pricing.  

For the past 40-odd years, father-and-son team Lal and Harry Bhambi have been making sure every single hand-sewn garment under their banner is made precisely to look attractive. When you pick up garbs from them, you have the advantage of their veteran touch.

Dealing in bold colors and minimalist, architectural designs, Ovando is where celebs go when they need to impress their significant others (Maroon 5’s Adam Levine sent a bouquet from the shop to his boo, Victoria’s Secret model Behati Prinsloo). Arrangements ($165–$375) for the holidays include a heart-shaped wreath of roses on a bed of brilliant red beads, a duo of pink rosebuds and a floral Rosa Mexicana candle, or a fan of roses (akin to those Levine sent to Prinsloo). Even better, you can put off making a final decision until noon on Valentine’s Day.

An initiative of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, Albertine is devoted to works—both in its original version and in translation—and offers the largest selection of French literature in the United States, with more than 14,000 titles from 30 French-speaking countries. The two-floor space is truly an escapist's dream, with a designated reading room with lush sofas and armchairs, all housed in the French embassy.

For nearly half a century, Fred Kooby has been running this prim-and-proper stationery boutique, and though he’s watched as paper companies shrink their lines and e-cards replace formal invitations, his own business has grown from a single storefront to the better chunk of the block. Attribute this to his loyal clientele, who appreciate proper etiquette and classic taste—tenets that are best represented by the wall of Crane & Co. place cards (ten for $9–$100), and selection of Caspari greeting cards ($3–$9) and Charing Cross leather-bound calendars ($32–$49). Kooby’s daughter, Vanessa, oversees the custom-design department, whose shelves are jammed with sample books from lines as mid-range as William Arthur and as elaborate as C’est Papier. Aside from paper products, the store also stocks Kolo photo albums ($17–$50), Tizo picture frames ($17–$150) and fine writing instruments ($39–$495) from Waterman, Parker and Cross.

Credit cards feel right at home at this luxury Upper East Side boutique catering to avid shoppers. Gowns seen on runways worldwide are for sale along with more casual daytime dresses for the ladies-who-lunch crowd.

Ranking among the city’s top tourist attractions, Bloomie’s is stocked with everything from bags to beauty products, homewares to designer duds. The cosmetics hall, complete with an outpost of globe-spanning apothecary Space NK and a Bumble and bumble dry-styling bar, recently got a glam makeover. The compact Soho outpost concentrates on young fashion and cosmetics.  

Under the helm of creative director Sarah Burton, this rebellious British label relocates its flagship uptown to a larger space. Interior-design agency David Collins Studio (davidcollins.com) worked with Burton to create the opulent 3,500-square-foot store, featuring dark marble flooring and furniture with bronze animal feet and monster claws. Look closely at the walls and you’ll see shapes of feathers, wings, sea-horse tails and the famous “armadillo” shoe within the plaster molding. Glass shelves hold accessories ($350–$4,500), such as structured leather bags ($1,995–$4,500), skull-clasped minaudières ($1,400–$3,100) and ladies’ embroidered velvet shoes ($500–$1,000). You’ll also find the runway and ready-to-wear collections for both women ($1,200–$5,000) and men ($635–$2,500), including floral jersey dresses ($1,195) and stained-glass–print men’s sweaters ($995). Those with slightly less padded wallets can check out enamel bangles ($285–$345), skull-print scarves ($295–$595) and crystal cufflinks ($175–$215).