Shopping near the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The trendy Spanish chain opens its seventh NYC location. Stock up on office-friendly necessities, such as airy silk blouses ($80), jacquard-loom trousers ($60) and dip-dye shirts ($60). Edgier gals should keep a lookout for studded-leather jackets ($299), netted maxidresses ($159) and studded fringed ankle booties ($159). Guys can peruse a wide array of button-downs ($40–$60), denim chino trousers ($60) and graphic tees ($17–$36), while both sexes can scoop up Zara’s beachwear line, featuring men’s brightly colored swim trunks ($30) and ladies’ tribal-print bandeau bikinis ($20).

Oft-overlooked for its more glamorous department store counterparts, Lord & Taylor offers an ever reliable selection of classic brands like Ralph Lauren—minus surging crowds. The men's department is particularly strong, and they offer loads of basics, like lingerie.

It may not be as glamorous as New York’s other famous stores, but for sheer breadth of stock, the 34th Street behemoth is hard to beat. You won’t find exalted labels here, though—midpriced fashion and designers’ diffusion lines for all ages are its bread and butter, along with all the big beauty names. Fun fact: Herein lies the largest shoe department in the world (63,000 square feet, to be exact) so chances of leaving empty handed are slim. 

Vogue photographs featuring the store’s antique garb line the walls at this living-history reservoir, where everything from 19th-century walking suits to neon Vivienne Westwood platforms is neatly arranged by era. Here you can rent a Chanel quilted suit ($1,025) or a Missoni knit dress ($895) for a fraction of the purchase price. Walk-ins are welcome, but it’s worth calling ahead to peruse the appointment-only upstairs area. There you’ll find a priceless ostrich-hemmed 1920s gold lamé gown by designer Charles Frederick Worth, a 1960s chain-link Paco Rabanne vest and Josephine Baker’s rhinestone-encrusted 1920s bra (recently rented by Lady Gaga). Pricing depends on the item and length of rental; there is a minimum fee of $200.

Founded 13 years ago by Chip Wilson in Vancouver, this yoga-inspired athletic-apparel company has opened its fifth NYC location. The store’s decor takes on an Art Deco theme, with vintage wallpaper, windows outfitted in red velour curtains and custom Bocci light fixtures throughout the fitting rooms. Though the threads—including quick-drying sports bras ($42), women’s form-fitting cropped pants with wide, patterned waistbands ($68) and men’s short-sleeved tops with mesh venting ($64)—are designed with downward dog in mind, they work just as well for running and other athletic activities.

Billed as the first sex shop for women, by women, Eve's Garden strives to steer female sexuality away from penis-shaped straws and subpar vibrators. The store's founder, women's-rights activist Dell Williams, designed it to be high-class, welcoming and anything but scary. The shop holds workshops and events on- and off-site, with topics ranging from couples' communication to masturbation.

Sure, the Swoosh’s massive flagship is usually clogged with tourists, but where else will space-age chutes deliver your sneakers? Five floors brim with inspiring quotes by coaches (“If you have a body, you’re an athlete”), top-notch athlete’s clothing for both genders and iPod-friendly shoes ($85–$140). Its top floor also hosts the freshly minted NIKEiD studio, where you can customize your kicks.

This 1,100-square-foot shop is the flagship location for the vaunted Belgian chocolatier. Find signature pralines, truffles and chocolates.

Taking over a massive 20,000-square-foot bi-level space on the Upper West Side, this affordable home-furnishings chain's first Manhattan location offers weekly changing eclectic designer furniture and decor up to 60 percent off department-store prices. Make over your pad with modern pillar candleholders ($10–$13 each), colorful fabric-covered storage stools ($15–$20), bright embroidered pillows ($25) and Louis XV–style floral upholstered chairs ($150).

Stationers, brides and DIYers all flock to this warehouse-like standby for custom invites and supplies for creating their own. Grab boxed cards ($10–$40), individual sheets of paper in a rainbow of shades (from $1), glassine envelopes ($5–$16) and tags ($3 and up) from its well-rounded stock.