The LES is the "NEW" SoHo

I was recently in New York and spent a solid day shopping the Lower East Side. Whereas a few years ago I would have spent the day in SoHo finding interesting and new emerging designers shops, now I would hands down spend it on the LES. SoHo is now full of the big-name designer brands & stores that are made to look like more boutique/specialty shops (i.e. Tory Burch, Intermix, Scoop, Calypso...all of which are excellent stores, but you can find them in almost any big city). To find the real gems and one of a kind pieces the LES is my recommend. Here you'll find a strong sense of vintage merged with modern. Here's a few of my new favorite stores in this area.

Assembly New York
174 Ludlow Street
http://assemblynewyork.com/

This store is only a year old and small but has interesting local and European designer clothing. I am obsessed with their exclusive collection of Arielle De Pinto jewelry. It's all hand crocheted and ranges anywhere from $290-$2500. Absolutely beautiful and you can wear with anything!

In God We Trust
153 Ludlow (Although they have shops in SoHo and Williamsburg too)
www.InGodWeTrustNYC.com

Their clothing section is limited, but there are always a few really cute dresses around the $200-$300 range and they're designed by them, so definitely unique. The real find here is with their accessories. Love their bronze-colored rings, necklaces, bracelets. Not things you find anywhere else.

Mint Julep
173 Ludlow
http://store.shopmintjulep.com/

This store carries some of the more traditional brands like Tibi, Shoshanna, Corey Lynn Calter, etc. but it breaks up the uber-trendy shopping in this area with some very wearable styles. The owners are front Vermont and opened their first store in Boston. This store only opened within the last year. One of the owners is usually in the store and she's very helpful and friendly!

Honey In The Rough
161 Rivington
www.honeyintherough.com

Adorable shop with great dresses and tops. Love the Antipodium line that I actually found when I was in Australia last year. It's by an Australian designer and I haven't' had much luck finding it in stores in the US, but they carry it here. This line always feels fresh and modern so definitely worth looking into!

Stella Filante
156 Ludlow
www.stella-filante.com

This might be my favorite store I went into on the LES. Looks like it's going to be tiny like the rest of the shops in the area from the outside, but it's HUGE by NY standards inside. There's even a bathroom which is a crucial thing to know when out shopping...don't want to waste time trying to find a coffee shop for a toilet! They carry everything: tops, dresses, skirts, bathing suits, shoes, accessories. Just opened within the last few months. Lots of beautiful silk pieces and I don't think it's probably the best sign since they just opened but they definitely have some solid merch already on sale. I bought a silk jumper reg marked $420 for $170. Oh and just to make you feel all warm and cozy inside before you leave they package your purchases in an adorable canvas bag that is GREAT for shopping. A definite must shop!

Nikki Laura
4 Prince
www.nikkilaura.com

Adorable! Looks like it's going to be super cheesy with all the baby pink, but it's not; they definitely have some edgy stuff! Loving everything by Pency, Sauce, and Quail (i.e. sequin mini, super comfy but trendy tees and this Michael Jackson tribute wool blazer)

Pixie Market
100 Stanton
www.pixiemarket.com











Edgy styles give this place charm. One of my favorite dresses here was by a brand called Nine Zero and it was a lime green t-shirt dress with zippers going up at an angle spelling ZERO. Very clever and honestly cute although it might not sound like it (see photo in black version). Almost all styles out are a size small which is annoying to have to ask for a larger size in anything you try on if you're not a small and I know not all of us are. Very reasonable clothes; mostly around the $100 mark. Favorite brands here include: Phamous, Nine Zero, and Dunderdon. Sales person/people aren't friendly but you can find some fun LES clothes here if you can endure the staff!

If you need to grab a bite, on Clinton you can stop in wd-50 or The Clerkenwell for more of a sit-down but good meal. If you're more towards Nolita/SoHo stop in Hampton Chutney for a quick bite. Super yumms and quick so you can keep shopping!