New York City’s shopping scene is legendary: a place where iconic department stores sit beside luxury flagships and cutting-edge boutiques. Yet many visitors never explore beyond the chain-store corridors of 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, or Herald Square.
Stylist Erin Walsh—who works with stars like Anne Hathaway and Selena Gomez—believes that this narrow view means missing the city’s true magic. A long-time New Yorker, she speaks about the city with affection: living here becomes part of your identity, she said, and eventually your heart beats in sync with it.
Her shopping philosophy is simple: you must get lost. Wandering is the only way to stumble upon inspiration, but in Walsh’s world, “getting lost” means exploring very specific micro-pockets inside her favorite neighborhoods. Shopping is not just about stores; it’s about the cafés, restaurants, and comforting corners that shape the experience.
Below is her expert guide to “getting lost” inside New York City’s most rewarding shopping zones.
1. Best for Women’s Fashion: SoHo Between West Broadway and Broadway
Walsh divides neighborhoods into tiny shopping pockets, and for women’s fashion she chooses the historic blocks running between West Broadway and Broadway in SoHo.
This stylish district offers endless options—from high-end boutiques to fresh independent designers. Walsh names The Webster, Kate Spade, and Chloé among her go-to luxury stops.
She also loves discovering indie gems like Kirna Zabête on Mercer Street, known for its curated mix of iconic and emerging designers.
When she’s in this part of SoHo, Walsh includes experiential stops as well. One of her favorites is La Mercerie, a hybrid space that blends a restaurant, showroom, and boutique. Everything inside—from tableware to flowers—is available for purchase. She often ends the day at the beloved restaurant Balthazar.
2. Best for Men’s Shopping: The Bowery
For men’s fashion and gifts, Walsh gravitates toward the Bowery, a downtown area she affectionately describes as “woodsy” and wildly underrated.
Her favorite micro-area centers around The Bowery Hotel. She always visits John Derian on 2nd Street, calling it her “Christmas problem solver” thanks to its unique home décor pieces. She also stops by Dashwood Books on Bond Street, her husband’s favorite bookstore, and enjoys the cozy cluster of small shops nearby.
3. Best for Traditional Holiday Shopping: Midtown
New York becomes even more magical during the winter holidays. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Rockefeller Center’s glittering tree, and the extravagant department-store window displays make Midtown an iconic seasonal pilgrimage.
Locals often avoid the area during the crowded holidays, but Walsh insists it's essential: taking her children to the Rockefeller Center tree—despite the packed crowds—feels like a tradition she treasures.
4. Best for Home Interiors: Tribeca and the West Village
Walsh’s love for interiors matches her passion for fashion. She enjoys layering textures and materials to bring character into New York’s famously small living spaces.
For beautifully designed homewares and thoughtful gifts, she explores Tribeca and the West Village. Here she picks up mirrors, candlesticks, trays, books, even furniture. She believes a robe makes an especially meaningful gift—something that helps the recipient feel seen and held.
She also enjoys fragrance shopping and visiting candle boutiques, despite the traditional advice to avoid scented gifts. “The best gifts involve a little risk,” she said.
5. Best for Kids: SoHo Between Thompson and West Broadway
When shopping for children, Walsh returns to SoHo but narrows her focus to a two-block stretch along its western edge.
Bonpoint on West Broadway anchors this area as a must-visit for children’s designers. She also loves Makie on Thompson Street: a Japanese children’s brand with a clean, Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic.
Her final stop is Ladurée on West Broadway, where the iconic macarons in their elegant boxes are guaranteed to delight children and adults alike.
6. Best for Quiet Luxury: The Upper East Side Around The Mark Hotel
Among all of uptown Manhattan, Walsh’s favorite shopping pocket is the refined stretch of Madison Avenue near The Mark Hotel.
She begins with a reset at Georgia Louise Atelier on 71st Street—whether a facial or a beauty haul of premium skincare tools and products.
She then visits jewelry boutiques like Sidney Garber, along with fashion houses including Ralph Lauren and La Ligne. She especially praises La Ligne’s sweaters, joking that she could gift one to everyone she knows—and they’d all be thrilled.
Walsh completes the Upper East Side experience by stopping at the Gagosian Gallery, then ending her day with a drink at The Mark.
7. Best for a Full-Day Experience: SoHo Between Lafayette and Crosby Streets
Walsh recommends another concentrated pocket of SoHo that provides enough shops and experiences to fill an entire day.
She highlights the furniture and jewelry shops near Crosby and Howard Streets, followed by a manicure at Paintbox and a coffee-and-gift stop at Saturdays NYC.
Among fashion stores, she enjoys Prada and Dinosaur Designs, then browses smaller emerging boutiques. One block east on Lafayette Street, she visits Santa Maria Novella for luxury fragrances and McNally Jackson for books.
The perfect finale? A Campari spritz at Sant Ambroeus. “It always feels good,” she said. “It’s about getting lost.”
8. Best Newcomer: Dover Street Market (Flatiron / Madison Square Park)
Walsh also follows emerging shopping districts. One of her top rising destinations is Dover Street Market in the Flatiron area—an increasingly vibrant neighborhood centered around the iconic Flatiron building and Madison Square Park.
The district now offers a diverse mix of designers, stylish cafés, and restaurants. Walsh notes the growing foodie scene with spots like Eataly and Cecconi’s, as well as boutique hotels such as Ace that serve as perfect rest stops between shopping breaks.
“Take your time and enjoy it,” she advises. “When people rush, that’s when they buy bad gifts.”
