We are often asked, ” if I only havea  few precious hours in NYC to shop, where should I go”. Its a quandry to answer this, as shopping is not  “one-size fits all” endeavor. However, we offer this, regardless of what you intend to shop for when visiting NYC (and if you dont intend to shop, you’re crazy) there are 4 places you must not skip, if just for the experience: ABC Carpet and Home; the Apple store on 59th & Fifth ; FAO Schwartz and Bloomingdales on Lexington & 59th.  In our humble opinion.

Want to explore other options, shop gotham is happy to assist. www.shopgotham.com  I

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While shoppers take a break for the beach in late august and the fashion gurus are up to their noses in the grey and black Fall palettes, we at Shop Gotham are preparing for our Fall shopping tours. There are an abundance of new Garment Center “insider” designer showroom partners, offering bags, belts, outerwear and both casual and dressier apparel. Wholesale is the only way to shop and one can only do this special activity on the Garment Center “Insider” shopping tour. Every Wed and Fri @ 10am. for more information, www.shopgotham.com

Came across this marvelous “under the radar” company recently. Ever wonder where those people come from that offer you those tasty new treats  to try on the street? Or how that charity managed to score 10 beautiful/stylish men and women to run the check-in table?  Mustard Lane has a stockpile of trained, talented (and it doesn’t hurt that they are all gorgeous) people to help companies promote their events. As they say, they can help you “promote, serve, smile, pour, hang and dish”. One stop shopping. Too bad you can’t take them home.

www.mustardlane.com

New York City is a shopper’s paradise, and Shop Gotham Tours give you NYC Shopping insider access, exclusive store discounts and exciting perks not available to the independent fashion shopper. From the charming streets of SOHO & Nolita to the behind-the-scenes showrooms of the Garment Center, shoppers and sightseers alike will love exploring NYC’s best-kept shopping secrets. Banish the boring with a Shop Gotham tour! “Must-Do shopping experience for visitors” – says The New York and London Times

Tours start at $38pp. For more information, please go to: www.shopgotham.com

August 18 and Augu 20th are the last days of Shop Gotham’s Garment Center “Insider” tour until Sept. Showrooms are loaded with early fall. Coming to NYC this week, this is could be the best shopping you will find. www.shopgotham.com

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In New York City fabulous footwear is a must.  But when the temperatures skyrocket, where do the locals get their cool and stylish summer shoes?  Shop Gotham guides reveal their top five picks:

1.  Since Paris designer Charles Jourdan went out of business in the 1980s, his name has been synonymous with vintage footwear.  But he’s back and we’re thrilled.  Cleverly coupling last season’s gladiator sandal with this season’s jelly sandal, he’s created Cassie:  a hybrid of the two available in white, gray and red.  We’ve always been partial to red…

2.   Shop Gotham tour guides swear by DKNY’s Active line:  tough enough to endure hours upon hours of shopping on New York City streets, but fashionable enough that no one will guess that they’re practical.   Sign up for a Soho/Nolita tour and get a discount of 20 percent.

3.  You can’t go wrong with comfy, cushy Haviana flip flops.  This line, designed by Brazilians, who should know flip flops, has just the right savior faire for an international metropolis like New York.  The ones pictured here were designed exclusively for Kidrobot, and they GLOW IN THE DARK!!!  Buy yourself a pair on our Soho/Nolita tour.

4.  Nothing is hipper or greener than buying a pair of shoes made by the person sitting in front of you.  And this shoe, handmade by a street vendor in Nolita, has saved many a Shop Gotham guest from blistered feet.  This canvas slip on has become almost as iconic as a pair of Chuck Taylors among the hipster crowd.  They are always comfortable and will never go out of style.

5.  Shop Gotham guides aren’t embarrassed to admit that they love Zoe & Zac, the new “green” line from Payless.  We love them for three simple reasons.  First, they’re affordable, with no shoe costing more than $30.  Second, they’re made exclusively from ‘green’ materials such as organic cotton, eco-foam and nickel-free metal.  Third, they’re incredibly comfortable!  Even the huarache sandal with a four inch heel (pictured here) meets the Shop Gotham standard of comfort and style.

Do you happen to accompanying your spouse to nyc on a biz trip? or perhaps you are in charge of coordinating some spouse activities for a group while here? Well ,, if they are women, they will undoubtedly crave some shopping while here, so make sure to set aside some time for this. 

Shop Gotham has specific programs for this audience. Spouse Programs are customized to meet the wish list and demographics of each group and can include VIP elements such as meeting a designer or shopping in a store before it opens to the public. For more info.. see. www.shopgotham.com

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Perhaps more than any other city in the world, Manhattan seems to shape shift on nearly an hourly basis. Restaurants are constantly opening and closing, conventions and conferences coming out the woodwork, and what’s hot and what’s not changing almost as quickly as the frenetic pace of the city’s pulse. That’s why Expat Arrivals, a site devoted to developing the guides needed most by those living and working abroad, decided to put their  heads down, dig in their heels and create a “Serial Shopper’s Guide to Neighborhoods in New York City” for the newbies and veterans alike perusing the avenued aisles of the metropolis.

At the end of the day Manhattan is about neighborhodds, some posh, some eclectic, and some downright mysterious, but in order to make sure you’re in the right spot to haggle with the hippies or to enjoy a glass of wine while admiring the glitz and glamour of some of the world’s most beautiful jewelry it’s important to get your bearings. Otherwise, your precious purchasing time could easily dwindle amidst the logistics of getting around and the deflation of not finding the stores offering what you expect. 

 To get a handle on your shopping experience check out:

 Expat Arrivals (www.expatarrivals.com/the-usa/new-york-city/moving-to-new-york-city) for a myriad of info to help ease your transition to any new city, and

Serial Shopper’s Guide to Neighborhoods in New York City (http://www.expatarrivals.com/the-usa/new-york-city/lifestyle-and-shopping-in-new-york-city)

as well as of course: Shop Gotham shopping tours www.shopgotham.com if you want to find out what’s really happening in the nyc shopping scene(and have your hand held)

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If you like black, grey and brown hues with a bit of a vintage twist, a bit of Goth Romantic, this store is a go-to for you.  If you are a Brit, All Saints is old news. For we Americans its a refreshing new destination, good for the stylish woman ages 20- 50 who can’t afford Alexander McQueen, but wishes she could. Who still covets quality feel-good leather, cool well-fitting tees and the kind of dress suitable for urban trenedy dining. Who will spend $180 on a great top (or wait for the 50% off sale). The new location on Broadway in Soho does diminish its appeal, with  neighbors such as Top Shop and H & M. But space they have, which can only be found on this maddening mall-like Ave. Fall will likely be the best time to shop All Saints, as its colors are more suitable.      ALL Saints, 512 Broadway (Spring & Prince)

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