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.

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.  

This Paris-based gourmet chocolate shop has multiple locations in New York.

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.

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.

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 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.

Make sure to formulate a plan of action before stepping into any of this minichain’s locations. The sheer volume of stock—from bedding to pots and pans and even holiday decorations—can make you forget why you came here in the first place. Once you’re inside the mazelike Upper East Side flagship that spans almost an entire block, bypass the pricier furniture and lighting sections in favor of well-priced accessories for the bathroom, such as tortoiseshell-printed tissue boxes ($30–$35), discreet bamboo toilet brushes ($25) and subway-map-printed shower curtains ($36). Gracious Home is also an excellent resource for picking up luxe housewarming gifts in a pinch, like beautifully packaged Agraria soaps ($20 each) and yummy Voluspa macaron-scented home sprays ($21).

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.

This charming bridal salon offers wedding gowns ($1,400–$2,500) from brands such as Enzoani, Maggie Sottero and Valentina at 40 to 80 percent off retail prices. Owners Joanna Daidone and Regina Cuciniello score overstock dresses from designers and manufacturers around the country. Make an appointment to try on a Saison Blanche strapless ruffled frock ($1,875), a Kitty Chen gown with diamond appliqués ($1,400) and an Enzoani chiffon dress ($1,500). Add house-brand silver rhinestone bracelets ($198) and elegant studs ($48) to complete the look.