Look chic while saving

Yes, when it comes to retail therapy, there’s no better place to score discounted wares than the city’s high-street shops. However, while we love H&M, Zara and Topshop as much as the next person, we also love scouring the city for lesser-known spots to score fashion and beauty deals. Here are a few of our top haunts that won’t break the bank but will keep you looking fab.       

AvaMaria
107 Crosby St.,
212-966-0909
Once upon a time, SoHo wasn’t dominated by mall stores and the Midwestern tourists who love them, and this small boutique harks back to those halcyon days. Owner Katherine Virketien stocks the charming space with goods from on-the-rise talent, but it’s the discounted past-season designer goods that keep the doors revolving. Scoring a pair of Loubs for $380 or a piece by VanessaBruno or Stella McCartney at 70% off isn’t uncommon here.

Drybar
4 W. 16th St.,
212-561-5392
This West Coast import is all about the blowout — the $40 blowout, no less. No cuts, no color, no anything but the whir of dryers. Patrons choose from six types of blowouts, including the Manhattan (sleek and smooth) and the Mai Tai (messy beach hair). The fact that it opens at 8 a.m. makes gals’ lives infinitely easier.

Joe Fresh
110 Fifth Ave.,
212-366-0960
Sweden brought us H&M, Spain gave us Zara and now the latest fast-fashion spot comes courtesy of Canada. Opened this past fall, the store offers a solid array of men’s and women’s apparel, accessories and cosmetics. Stand-out pieces include silky button-down blouses in a range of colors ($39),  fashion denim ($14-$59) and colored cashmere jumpers (on sale now for $49).

No Relation
204 First Ave.,
212-228-5201
Thrift-store enthusiasts flock to this East Village spot that carries a killer selection of vintage clothing and accessories — most of which are priced in a fair $10 to $50 range, with exceptions made for rare finds. The selection of thrifted threads is large, but if you search, it’ll pay off: Last time, we found a T-shirt from the original Sam’s Town hotel in Vegas ($15), a black sequin shell ($25) and a beat-up brown leather rucksack ($20).

ShiShi
2488 Broadway,
646-692-4510
Is there anything better than wandering into an independent boutique to browse, only to realize, “Hey, I can actually afford to buy something”?  We think not, which is why this year-old gem is worth the trip uptown. Owner Yael Levertov stocks a mix of casual wear ($39 T-shirts), romantic dresses ($68-$89) and everything in between. Once it’s on your radar, you’ll be making trips regularly: The shop gets new merch every week.

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