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.  

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.

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

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.

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.

After becoming frustrated by seeing everyone around her wearing the same garb, New York native Claire Distenfeld left her job as a gallery director to start her own luxury store, where she makes sure you’ll find only one-of-a-kind pieces. She achieves this by stocking just two of each item, and carries exclusive women’s clothing from avant-garde Russian designer Vika Gazinkaya ($1,795–$3,200) and French brand Risto ($395–$595). The third-floor space is meant to be a pop-up preview of the full-blown men’s and women’s boutique that Distenfeld plans to open on the second floor of the townhouse in March. Until then, you’ll find elegant threads from designer Carin Rodjeber, such as hand-beaded shirtdresses ($420) and suede pants with matching blouses ($195 each). Splurge on Cushnie et Ochs wool felt cropped jackets ($1,790) or Chrissie Morris black suede booties ($1,285) with stingray-leather details. Guys can discover dapper pieces such as Bespoken single-button blazers ($995) and a Hype Means Nothing Notorious B.I.G. T-shirts ($95). Nab great gifts, including Seletti white mugs ($38) with colorful handles and Gaia & Gino evil-eye vases ($55). For cold days, check out Fivestory’s house cashmere line featuring cozy men’s and women’s sweaters ($495–$550), scarves ($100–$500) and throw blankets ($1,100).  

The mammoth housewares chain has been importing eclectic goods from around the world since the company was founded in 1962. Manhattan’s second location (the other is in the Flatiron District) is also the largest one with three floors chock-full of ethnic-inspired and budget-friendly wares. On the main level, you’ll be greeted with rows of candy-colored dishware, including printed dinner plates ($8) and mosaic-tiled serving platters ($45), as well as displays featuring bronze champagne flutes ($8). The basement level holds bedroom necessities such as gold-and-white painted chests ($500) and ombré shag area carpets ($300). The upper level reveals a plethora of decorative pillows covered with metallic beads ($30) and done up in chevron prints ($30), plus oversize foil vases ($45) and elephant-shaped candleholders ($10).