Best of New York: Top NYC spots to get your fashion fix

Photo credit: Dwell Studio’s flagship New York City location. (Nancy Borowick/amNY)

PLACE TO JAZZ UP YOUR APARTMENT

DwellStudio
77 Wooster St., 646-442-6000
We at amNY are huge fans of DwellStudio's modern home furnishings. This summer, pieces -- many of which feature the brand's gorgeous fabrics -- finally became available in one spot in NYC: a 3,000-square-foot SoHo flagship selling bedding, furniture, rugs, baby and kids' collections and more. The great thing about DwellStudio is that just one piece can really make an impact in an apartment. Ikat bedding jazzes up an otherwise boring bedroom, bird-print pillows add interest to any couch, a modern mirror adds depth to a space and a splurge-worthy couch in a bold print or rich color serves as the ultimate statement piece.

BOUTIQUE WITH REALITY-SHOW ROOTS

Christian Siriano
252 Elizabeth St., 212-775-8494
Designer Christian Siriano became a household name after he won Season 4 of "Project Runway" in 2008. The store -- in NoLIta's bustling shopping district -- sells a mix of Siriano's signature eye-catching gowns and more affordable, easy-to-wear pieces, plus his killer Payless heels and chic home accents.

COVETABLE AND CREATIVE COLLABORATION

The Shops at Target
It seems as though a new collaboration between a designer and mass-market retailer drops onto the scene almost daily. But one collab really stood out in our minds this year: The Shops at Target. Instead of working with a high-end fashion designer like it has in the past, Target collaborated with local clothing and houseware stores around the country -- including a few faves in NYC: Odin and Kirna Zabete -- to create spring and fall 2012 collections to be sold at Target. Not only were the styles great-looking and affordable, the collab gave some much-needed love and attention to small businesses.

PLACE TO BE A TEMPORARY DESIGN MAVEN

Rent the Runway
163 Varick St. (4th Fl.), 212-524-6860 (by appointment only)
If you're a fan of Rent the Runway -- a website that allows gals to rent designer fashions -- now there's a way to try on cocktail dresses, gowns and accessories before committing to a four- or eight-day rental. This year, the site opened up a permanent NYC showroom featuring fab special-occasion pieces from a roster of 175 top designers. As for pricing, right now a Diane von Furstenberg cocktail dress that retails for $598 rents for $100, and a cream Calvin Klein gown that retails for $2,295 rents for $225.

SPLURGE-WORTHY MEN'S SHOP

Christian Louboutin Men's
808 Washington St., 212-255-2056
IRed-soled shoe guru Christian Louboutin has given footwear-loving gents somewhere new to spend their cash: A men's-only boutique. Joining Manhattan's ladies' store, the men's shop has equally splurge-worthy styles that have celebs and New Yorkers alike drooling, including suede loafers for $995 and python lace-ups for $1,395 (plus accessories like bags and iPad cases). But the coolest feature is the "Tattoo Parlour," where guys can customize brogues or slippers with embroidery mirroring their own tattoos or original Louboutin designs.

OUTLET

Tom Ford at Woodbury Common
498 Red Apple Ct., Central Valley, 845-928-4000
After rumors of a Tom Ford-H&M collaboration turned out to be just that, Ford lovers did get some discount shopping news to scream about this year: the designer's first ever outlet store, located at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets (about an hour north of Manhattan). At his new oulet, celeb fave Ford offers up women's and men's clothing and shoes, as well as his beloved eyewear, belts, handbags and ties, at 50-70% off.

WEBSITE TURNED BRICK-AND-MORTAR SHOP

Piperlime
21 Wooster St., 212-343-4284
These days, it's pretty much a given that brick-and-mortar stores operate websites, too, but Piperlime did just the opposite this year. A website since 2006, The Gap Inc.-owned company brought its stylish variety of shoes, clothing and accessories to SoHo with its first boutique this September. The 4,000-square-foot shop offers many of the brands that are available on the site -- like Milly and Frye -- including finds from stylish guest editors Rachel Zoe, Oliva Palermo, Rachel Bilson and Byrdie Bell.

WHERE TO INDULGE YOUR SHOE OBSESSION

Shoe Floor at Macy's
151 W. 34th St. (2nd Fl.), 212-695-4400
The world's largest department store never does anything in a small way -- including its massive new shoe floor, part of the Macy's Herald Square flagship's $400 million renovations that are expected to be completed in 2015. Billing itself as the largest shoe deparment in the world, the second-floor space has 250,000-plus pairs for sale, from boots, to sandals, to sneakers, to special-occasion finds. The modern 63,000-square-foot space is easy to navigate and has sleek seating for trying on footwear from brands including Badgley Mischka, Coach and Nine West.

BROOKLYN-TO-MANHATTAN BOUTIQUE IMPORT

Dalaga
85 Kenmare St.,646-449-8716
For the past six years, Dalaga has been a fashionista fave on Greenpoint's Franklin Street, with affordable clothing and accessories coming from a variety of established and up-and-coming designers (many of whom are local).

MANHATTAN-TO-BROOKLYN BOUTIQUE IMPORT

Cloak & Dagger
77B Hoyt St., Boerum Hill, 718-875-0500
Brooklyn gals who love Brookelynn Starnes' charming East Village boutique Cloak & Dagger seriously love the second shop, located in Boerum Hill. Like the original, the newer, larger locale offers playful pieces from Brooklyn native Starnes' own Cloak & Dagger line, as well as women's clothing and accessories from on-trend designers.

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