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.

The NYC convention bureau has just recognized Shop Gotham’s shopping tours as one of the 10 BEST tours in NYC! quite an honor. For more info, check out: http://www.nycgo.com/top-tours/5/

The visitors are leaving NYC, soon to return again. In the meantime, enjoy a 1st and last time Shop Gotham shopping tour special discount. 25% off tickets for any Regularly scheduled tour tours for the remainder of Sept. Max: 2 tickets per buyers. www.shopgotham.com. discount code: Sept09. See ya on the streets!

Morning: Head downtown and grab some breakfast at some of Soho’s best–but affordable!–spots. Try the lovely Spring Street Natural Restaurant (62 Spring St., corner of Lafayette) for fresh, delicious options or grab some charming homemade goodies and coffee at Once Upon a Tart (135 Sullivan St.)

Late Morning: Your Soho/Nolita Shop Gotham tour kicks off nearby. For two hours you will have exclusive guided access to the area’s hottest shops–and you get to use your Shop Gotham insider discounts all day! Book here.

Afternoon/Evening: While Soho is renowned for its fabulous shopping finds, that certainly isn’t the only activity available in this NYC neighborhood! Head over to Lucky Strike (59 Grand, btwn Wooster & W. B’way), the city’s hottest bowling alley, frequented by celebs and locals seeking a good time alike–no reservations required. Great for groups, this spot also serves up yummy food throughout the day along with DJed music and a bar.

You can also check out “HERE,” a unique, cutting-edge art space producing comedies, dance shows, music pieces, and much, much more. If you’re interested in an unforgettable, authentically NY experience, view the event calendar here.

After all this exploration you’ll have certainly worked up an appetite. Here are a few great downtown suggestions:

• For casual Asian “comfort food” try Soho gem Mooncake Foods (28 Watts St., nr Thompson St.). This friendly spot offers super-affordable salads, sandwiches, and great snacks like wontons and chicken wings.
• For delicious Thai food in a stylish and unique setting, try Peep (177 Prince St.).  A very trendy dinner spot, Peep (pictured below) also offers amazing multi-course lunch deals for under $10!

• For fresh, reliable Mediterranean options, try Snack (105 Thompson St., nr Prince St.). This popular lunch spot has great sandwiches and salads, and if it’s hot out don’t miss their killer mint lemonade!

Be sure to book your Shop Gotham tour in advance and your tour guide will be happy to point you in the right direction toward any of these amazing NYC hotspots! Enjoy!

A bold piece of jewelry can be the perfect way to spice up the basic, light pieces we so enjoy during the summer. As an NYC teen reporting to you from the streets of Manhattan, I can say that big statement necklaces are the perfect way to accent your outfits right now. Instantly transform a simple summer dress into an evening stunner with ribbon pieces like this one from J Crew (left), which comes in pink and black, and this beauty from Made Her Think:

Bib necklaces are also an awesome way to add some flair to a simple tank/blazer combo or your favorite Little Black Dress. Check out this one from BR (top) or, if you’re feeling daring, this Top Shop beaded piece:

All of these styles and many more can be found in the chic boutiques of NYC. Let our Shop Gotham tours take you there and get exclusive deals on this amazing trend. Book now!

An NYC teen here to give you the insider report on what the city’s young and stylish are rocking this season…Cool summer nights in the city call for ditching the denim cut-offs and slipping on the latest hot trend: The Boyfriend Jean, spotted on celebs like Katie Holmes, Lindsay Lohan and Kate Bosworth. These slouchy pants are best distressed, worn in, and rolled up, and look fabulous paired with a blazer and chic evening tank. Here are hot pairs from J Brand (left) and Rich & Skinny:

Our Shop Gotham tours can bring you to stores with exclusive deals on this must-have trend!

Stay tuned to our ShopNYC blog for more NYC teen insider info!

We took one of our Garment Center tour groups this week to the multi-designer sample sale at Clothing Line. The guide b-lined to the Milly and Isli racks, knowing these would be the most coveted items at the sale and and as they also happen to be among her favorite designers. She claims there were darn good items to be had. This season’s Milly geometric dresses & mini skirts as well as bright -colored Madmen circa 1960’s shapes, could be had for as little as $65.  Well stocked Isli dresses and tops, many one-of-a-kind samples were $50 and above. Even the best store sales cannot touch these prices.

Shop Gotham’s guests toted home lots of bags. The guide’s enthusiasm must have been contageous. Sale ends today, May 9, 2009