Where to shop in New York City part two
Where to shop in New York City part two
A complete retail guide to finding the best clothing, home goods, and nick-nacks around NYC
Sprezza Shopping Guides
This is part of an ongoing retail series I’m doing city-by-city.
The first one I made was for London, followed by Paris and Los Angeles.
Now, New York City!
New York is particularly special because it’s where I spent most of the last decade living (between college and early career). It’s a city that has informed my style beyond measure, and the nucleus to where so many modern trends and style shifts have occurred.
Sprezza guest editor and fellow homie Leland Grossman is back (after his LA guide) to curate a few places with me on his NYC list!
A quick note
Would love your feedback on these guides, or any tips on places you would add to this list. I spend hours creating these guides and appreciate the love!
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Retail
C'H'C'M'
Neighborhood(s): Noho
Price: $$$
Featured brands: Margaret Howell, MAN-TLE, PAA, Evan Kinori
NOTES: CHCM is it. If you gave me one men’s store in the US, just one for the rest of my life. This would be it. It’s not that I have bought the most things or spent the most money at CHCM. It's the feelings of discovery and joy I experience every time I peruse through owner Sweetu Patel’s wonder emporium. Not the loudest clothes, definitely not the cheapest—but always something new I’ve never heard of and something I only consider for myself because it's on their racks. With brands from all over the world this small hideout (it's down a few stairs) sits on an iconic block with notable mainstays like BONDST, Zero Bond, and Gigi Hadid’s Apartment.
Leisure Centre
Neighborhood(s): Lower East Side
Price: $-$$
Featured brands: Vintage
NOTES: Leisure Centre takes us all back to simpler times. Situated on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, they always seem to have a rotating selection of bonkers apparel and nick backs from the late 20th Century, which is a fitting selection of products to curate and sell in that part of town. Out of all the shops on this list, LC is going to have truly one of a kind and unique spots to buy; things you’d seldom find elsewhere.
Pilgrim Surf Supply
Neighborhood(s): Williamsburg
Price: $$$
Featured brands: Beams, Howlin’, Druthers, Pilgrim
NOTES: A shopping space to behold. The new Pilgrim store (that used to be up the road on Wythe Ave) is situated inside an older building a stone’s throw from Domino Park on the East River. And my god, it is a beautiful shop to both visit and shop. The core Pilgrim offering is surf-focused, with a wider mix of European and Japanese inspiration, and a strong lineup of books, homewares, and accessories. The customer gives a “early 40s dad with a peppered beard who’s a creative director at a design studio in Brooklyn” vibe, and that’s something to aspire to in my opinion.
Cueva
Neighborhood(s): West Village
Price: −$
Featured brands: Yuketen, Our Legacy, And Austin, Lady White Co.
NOTES: Outside of CHCM, Cueva is one of the true multi-brand shops in New York, and they do a fantastic job with their curation. NYC is difficult for retail to exist because of the rent alone, so it’s refreshing to see independent clothiers pop up like this. Highly recommend shopping at Cueva if you’re looking to discover new, independent brands.
Nepenthes New York
Neighborhood(s): Garment District
Price: $$$
Featured brands: Engineered Garments, Needles, South2 West8
NOTES: Of all the stores on this list, Nepenthes is certainly the most out of place. Its location in the Garment District however is not an accident as they make a portion of the clothes right upstairs. Having majorly upgraded the interior space over the past few years, Nepenthes is one of the most fun places to shop in NY—especially if you’re newer to Engineered Garments and Needles.
Blue in Green
Neighborhood(s): Soho
Price: $$$
Featured brands: Kapital, ONI, OrSlow, Beams
NOTES: Blue in Greene located just above Canal (on Greene) has been one of New York’s best kept secrets for decades. What started as a tiny shop has evolved into a beautifully expansive space with the best selection of Japanese and American denim in New York City. A kind, knowledgeable staff is happy to guide you through rare brands and their offerings, giving visitors that special feeling of discovery so badly missing when it comes to modern retail.
Your mention of Blue and Green made me think of Standard and Strange. Curious your thoughts.
'Kai D Utility' in Brooklyn is one of my favorite store worldwide (address is: 230 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211, United States) -- I'd strongly reco. to add it to your guide. 'Clothing for artisans' as they say. A true temple of craftsmanship; they make clothes that last. Made in New-York. You can easily feel like a 'Peaky Blinder' then.