traveldk.com

What can you say about the world’s largest store? Food to futons, the selection is vast. And Macy’s is a major part of the New York scene, from the annual spring flower show to Tap-O-Mania, when thousands of tap dancers converge on Herald Square.

After Macy’s, this is New York’s best-known department store, re-nowned for high fashion for men and women. The main floor with cosmetics, jewelry, and accessories is a mob scene, but don’t be discouraged; upper floors are more manageable.

Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Lord and Taylor have a full range of well-known brand clothing for men, women, and children, as well as an upscale selection of home accessories. All have seasonal window displays that make for stylish browsing.

If you have the where-withal, here’s the place to find the latest designer labels to please a well-heeled, young and trendy clientele. Their semi-annual clearance sales are legendary and draw hordes of shoppers after chic on the cheap.

Set up like a series of boutiques, Bendel’s displays innovative, fun women’s fashions for glamorous shoppers. The sales staff are particularly friendly. The signature brown and white shopping bag is such a status symbol that the pattern is used for accessories.

In a sleek, five-story Postmodern building, this outpost of the Japanese department store sells clothing, art, linens, objets d’art , and furniture. All have Eastern influence, are expensive, and are chosen for excellent design. Visit the serene Tea Box for bento box lunches and beautiful desserts.

Hennes & Mauritz, a Swedish retailer, was a smash success when the 5th Avenue store opened in New York in 2000. Their secret? Kicky, young designs for men, women, and children at rock bottom prices, creating a look that belies the price tag.

The epicenter of designer boutiques in New York used to be 57th Street between 5th and Madison avenues, where shops such as Burberry are still found. But as stores like Nike and Levi’s have invaded this territory, the designers, Giorgio Armani to Yves Saint Laurent, have moved to Madison Avenue, where the exclusive shops and boutiques now run from 59th almost to 79th Street.

The 20–30-something crowd does its shopping in trendy SoHo boutiques such as Anna Sui, A.P.C., Miu Miu, and Cynthia Rowley. Shops are concentrated between Thompson Street and Broadway, between Prince and Greene streets, though any block in this area may yield a special find. This is also prime hunting ground for home furnishings at stores such as Portico and Armani Casa.

Between 18th and 23rd streets, the cast-iron buildings that comprised the late-1800s “Fashion Row” are another shopping mecca. Current occupants include superstores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond for homewares, Old Navy for casual clothing, and bargain fashion outlets such as T.J. Maxx and Filene’s Basement.