Wooster Street Shopping
Published 01/22/2018
With its cobblestone streets and cast-iron-facade buildings, Soho is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Manhattan. The area’s high-end retailers are every bit as glamorous as its architecture. While the entire neighborhood is a prime shopping destination, where luxury labels like Prada sit alongside fast-fashion staples like H&M, there’s a more curated selection of swanky boutiques away from the best-known shopping drags—especially on Wooster Street. For more, read on.
1
Diane von Furstenberg
1
135 Wooster St
This is the second of three NYC locations for the American label, which first made waves in the early 1970s with its wearable wrap dress. Among the highlights these days are heritage pieces like that wrap dress and graphic print shirts alongside earrings and leather bags. Shoes are displayed like art here, lovingly lit in boxes that act as frames.
2
Barbour
2
874 Washington St
This British heritage brand, once worn by Steve McQueen, is known for its handmade waxed-cotton jackets—which they have been manufacturing since 1894. Equipped with its many utility pockets, the lightweight jacket provides protection from all types of weather and is incredibly durable. Sure, it’ll set you back a few hundred dollars. But you’ll be in good company, as illustrated by the vintage images of clients wearing the jackets, which line the walls here. Barbour also sells women’s apparel.
3
Woolrich
3
125 Wooster St
Around since 1830, Woolrich lays claim to being the world’s oldest outdoor clothing company. It’s also credited with introducing the red-and-black buffalo check shirt to the world in 1850. Woolrich still produces high-quality wool products like blankets, shirts, pants, jackets and caps. Find those classics at this store (the brand’s first in the United States), which also houses archival garments and art exhibitions.
4
Tiffany & Co.
4
97 Greene St
Everyone knows Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue, but the legendary jeweler has two other NYC locations (this one and the Financial District). They all offer the brand’s signature jewelry and trademarked Tiffany Blue box. The Soho store is much easier to navigate than the Fifth Avenue outpost (one floor as opposed to six) but still runs the width of an entire block, with entrances on both Wooster and Greene Streets. The diamond and sterling silver jewelry are among the centerpieces of Tiffany’s collections, which this store shows off quite well via its light installations and gold-leaf walls.
5
Balmain
5
650 Madison Ave
Creative director Oliver Rousteing gives this fashion house a focus on trendy, flashy tailored pieces. Take, for example, the Kardashian-loved double-breasted blazer—coveted by bloggers and celebrities, and now synonymous with the label. Find those blazers, along with jumpsuits, pants and other ready-to-wear items for men and women, at the brand’s only NYC location.
6
Moschino
6
73 Wooster St.
Italian luxury brand Moschino, which has experienced a revival under creative director Jeremy Scott, brings its bright, playful aesthetic to its new Soho flagship. The shop is designed to encapsulate the brand’s colorful, over-the-top vibe. Larger-than-life props, including giant handbags and shoes, make this store a standout.
7
The RealReal
7
80 Wooster Street
A paradise for the luxury consignment shopper, the RealReal is the envy of all those who have ever paid full price for high-end. The Soho flagship is the only physical location of this popular e-retailer, which ensures the authenticity of every item. Racks of preloved Valentino dresses, Rag & Bone sweaters and Iro jackets (organized by size) are located throughout the store—but the back wall is where the coveted handbags sit, including items from Chanel, Gucci and a special section for Hermés. Downstairs, there are men’s goods and a mini café. If you want to sell your old gear, bring your items to the lower level for a consultation.
8
Simone Rocha
8
71 Wooster Street
Simone Rocha’s self-titled line is rebellious and feminine. Her collections include sheer, slim silk dresses draped with frill, tulle and lace as well as drop-sleeved checkered jackets with billowed sleeves. Stylish, with some unconventional overtones, the clothing in this flagship is displayed on acrylic Perspex shelves alongside art from Louise Bourgeois and Robert Rauschenberg.
9
Céline
9
67 Wooster St.
Like Chanel, Céline is a luxury brand without an e-commerce site (though that is due to soon change)—so shopping here is an exclusive experience. The French cult label is minimalist and trendy; statement-piece bags, like the Luggage Tote, are among its major sellers. This is one of Céline’s three NYC stand-alone boutiques—there are a half dozen or so others in the US—and it’s as pristine and luxe as its Madison Avenue location.
10
Byredo
10
62 Wooster St.
Inspired by his eclectic childhood, Byredo owner Ben Gorham has been creating best-selling fragrance collections since 2006. Born in Sweden to an Indian mother and Canadian father, Gorham moved around a lot. He lived in the US, Canada and Europe, and has tried to capture all of his far-flung travels in his scents. His Palermo fragrance is inspired by the smells of the Sicilian capital city; Bal d'Afrique aims to evoke the African influence on Paris in the late 1920s; and the best-selling Gypsy Water glamorizes the Romany lifestyle with hints of pine, forest juniper and lemon. Try these, and other olfactory delights, at this flagship.
11
Buscemi
11
47 Wooster Street
Worn by Justin Bieber, Gucci Mane and 2 Chainz, Buscemi’s high-end leather sneakers have become the new must-have kicks for the hip-hop world. With some pairs costing upward of $1,000, these sneakers are definitely over-the-top. Fur and sequins are among the embellishments that signal they’re not your everyday tennis shoes, and the popular 100MM high tops feature 18-karat-gold padlocks that hang from the backs. This flagship is the label’s first brick-and-mortar location.