Top of NY: The Most Fashionable Boutiques of Midtown

New York City is a shopper’s paradise, with stylish retail options galore. Midtown is one of the city’s shopping hubs (along with SoHo), home to dozens of world-famous brands and to the iconic department stores on Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue. Looking for a more unique experience? These five boutiques are some of the most fashionable in town, selling something for everyone. Here’s our guide to the best boutiques in Midtown.

For the Statement Pant: Alice + Olivia

In 2002, UPenn alum Stacey Bendet presented a “just pants” collection to fashion insiders at Midtown’s Russian Tea Room. Now, her brand has expanded from selling exclusively in Barneys to being available around the world, and now offers dresses, shoes, accessories, and, as of last year, eyeglasses. And while we love just about everything Alice + Olivia has, when we visit its Midtown boutique, we still make a beeline to the pants, which have a slim-cut hip that elongates the legs, giving the impression of a leaner silhouette. Alice + Olivia: 80 W 40th St. (Photo: @aliceandolivia)

For the Fashion Show Look: Dover St Market

We’re mildly obsessed with Dover Street Market (see our whole Midtown Musings on it here!). The New York outpost of Rei Kawakubo’s original London store sells clothing that’s mostly from her Comme des Garçons brand. Spiraling its way throughout several floors of a circa-1909 design school, it’s got wacky design that matches Kawakubo’s bold clothes, perfect if you’re trying to purchase something with a wow factor. And don’t miss Rose Bakery, the store’s ground floor Parisian café. Dover Street Market: 160 Lexington Ave. 

For the Vintage: New York Vintage

Vintage shopping might be one of our favorite pastimes (more on the best vintage shopping in NYC here). And if you’re only going to one vintage boutique, make it New York Vintage. On the southern end of Midtown, it sells antique pieces dating back over a century. You can event rent looks from its museum-quality archive, available by appointment only. Beyoncé’s worn looks from here, and Lady Gaga is something of a regular (see here, here and here) Need we say more? New York Vintage: 117 W 25th St.(Photo: @babimagou)

For the Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

We know Manolo Blahnik isn’t unique to New York at all. But we couldn’t resist including the Spanish shoe master’s jewel-box of a boutique across from MoMA? All the A-listers wear his gorgeously designed footwear, and he recently partnered with big names like Caroline Herrera, Jason Wu and Sally LaPointe during NYFW. Plus, with a new documentary about him out on Netflix, “the king of shoes” is as current today as he was decades ago. Stop into the 54th Street boutique at least to try on a pair of his magnificent heels. Manolo Blahnik: 31 W 54th St. (Photo: @53w53)

For the Men: SAYKI

It’s not all about the ladies at Midtown fashion boutiques. Sayki sells high-quality men’s clothing, with a focus on studly suits that bridge classic and trendy. Italian linens, clean lines, and refined color schemes make it a must-stop for gentlemen in town looking for a new outfit. Sayki: 340 Madison Ave. (Photo: @sayki1924)