The Rising States

The Definitive Lower East Side Shopping Guide

By Laura Gurfein Jul 29, 2016, 2:33pm EDT

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The Rising States

| Photo: Driely S. for Racked

By Laura Gurfein Jul 29, 2016, 2:33pm EDT

1 comment / new

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

New York is nothing if not a city full of options, which can be both a blessing and a curse when trying to sort a neighborhood's best of the best. Take the guesswork out of choosing which shopping destinations are worth your time (and money!) with our guide of the best places to visit for clothes, accessories, and beauty on the Lower East Side.

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Maryam Nassir Zadeh

Tucked away in this mostly residential area just below the busy thoroughfare of East Houston Street is a fashion destination. Shoppers love MNZ's mix of labels (Lemaire, Rochas, Apiece Apart, Base Range) almost as much as they love the store owner/designer's cult-favorite sandals.

123 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Lindsey Thornburg

The designer from Colorado and Montana who built an eponymous fashion label on a single silhouette expertly displays that silhouette (plus dreamy dresses, accessories, and tchotchkes) in her own store on the lower Lower East Side. Celeb fans include Blake Lively, and Thornburg's cloaks for kids are just adorable.

Open in Google Maps

21 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Tictail Market

The global online marketplace crash-landed in New York with a holiday pop-up market in 2014, but decided to stick around for good after last year. Inside, you'll find a mix of clothing, accessories, home goods, and surprises from a range of designers from as close as Brooklyn and as far away as Indonesia.

Open in Google Maps

90 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

MOSCOT

The eyewear shop has sat on this street corner (though in a couple of different locations) for more than 100 years. Stepping inside is like taking a trip back in time in this neighborhood, but the eyewear selection (not to mention the customer service) is thoroughly modern.

108 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Claw & Co.

You've probably seen Claudia Gold's signature graffiti claw around New York City, but you might not know that she's also a store owner. Her Delancey Street shop is filled with vintage, streetwear, and her own collaborations with brands like Fila.

101 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

The Rising States

Meagan Delaney has been on the block since 2013, and her boutique has become a destination to find local labels like Samantha Pleet, Upstate, Mary Meyer, and Loeffler Randall — and since she's friends with a lot of the designers behind them, don't be surprised if they're shopping right next to you.

168 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

ØDD. New York

How could you not pop into a store with a name like this? It's for those that have graduated from Hot Topic graphic tees to slick labels like Alexandre Plokhov, Dsquared2, Iris van Herpen, and Ann Demeulemeester, not to mention accessories like scissor earrings and orangutan backpacks.

164 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

The Cast

"The Cast is amazing because they do custom leather jackets," makeup artist, DJ, and neighborhood expert Kristin Gallegos shared with us. And speaking of sharing, The Cast shares a space with punk-leaning jewelry shop The Great Frog

Open in Google Maps

72 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Assembly New York

The merchandise at Assembly is avant-garde in a way that makes fashion people pine and non-fashion people giggle: think clunky shoes, drapey dresses, and 14-karat gold staples. Not wardrobe staples — paper staples.

170 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Freemans Sporting Club

This neighborhood is a great one for menswear, but Freemans stands out among them not only for its selection of well-made (and locally-made) apparel for casual wear and formal affairs but also because of its extras, like a barbershop next door, plus a restaurant from one of the co-founders down the out-of-the-way Freeman Alley.

Open in Google Maps

8 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Self Edge

Another menswear hotspot is this shop that predominantly stocks Japanese denim (and no, you don't have to freeze jeans to preserve your favorite pair). Should your denim need repair, they'll do it on-site, which gives you plenty of time to browse shirting and leather accessories.

Open in Google Maps

157 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Tokyo Rebel

Looking for NYC's headquarters for Japanese Lolita, punk, and goth fashion? Of course you were. Everything here is imported direct from Japan and unlike anything else you'll find in the stores listed here (or anywhere in the city, for that matter) — so even if it's not your style, take a peek inside just for fun. Tokyo Rebel shares a space with the like-minded (and wonderfully named) Baby, The Stars Shine Bright

Open in Google Maps

158 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Edith Machinist

Take a few steps down from street level, leaving behind the bars and an impressive bulk candy shop, to this neighborhood destination for vintage that's very wearable (read: works in your wardrobe right now). Follow the shop's Instagram account for an up-to-the-minute look at what's stocked.

Open in Google Maps

104 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Alife

If you only have time for one Lower East Side streetwear shop (and trust, there's plenty to choose from), make it Alife. It's always stocked with fresh sneakers — including plenty of collaborations with the likes of Nike and Reebok — and logo-ed merch. Athletes and hip-hop stars are frequent shoppers, so keep your eyes peeled.

Open in Google Maps

158 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Anna Sheffield Jewelry

The local designer is a go-to for fine jewelry with a little edge, especially when it comes to engagement rings — Sheffield herself has called her designs "sweet and salty." If you're shopping for rings, be sure to make an appointment first.

Open in Google Maps

47 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Stanley's Pharmacy

Your average Duane Reade this is not. The so-orange-you-can't-miss-it storefront on the corner of Hester Street includes a "wellness bar" and customized teas and tonics, not to mention some hard-to-find products.

Open in Google Maps

31 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

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Maryam Nassir Zadeh

123 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002

Tucked away in this mostly residential area just below the busy thoroughfare of East Houston Street is a fashion destination. Shoppers love MNZ's mix of labels (Lemaire, Rochas, Apiece Apart, Base Range) almost as much as they love the store owner/designer's cult-favorite sandals.

123 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Lindsey Thornburg

21 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

The designer from Colorado and Montana who built an eponymous fashion label on a single silhouette expertly displays that silhouette (plus dreamy dresses, accessories, and tchotchkes) in her own store on the lower Lower East Side. Celeb fans include Blake Lively, and Thornburg's cloaks for kids are just adorable.

Open in Google Maps

21 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Tictail Market

90 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

The global online marketplace crash-landed in New York with a holiday pop-up market in 2014, but decided to stick around for good after last year. Inside, you'll find a mix of clothing, accessories, home goods, and surprises from a range of designers from as close as Brooklyn and as far away as Indonesia.

Open in Google Maps

90 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

MOSCOT

108 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

The eyewear shop has sat on this street corner (though in a couple of different locations) for more than 100 years. Stepping inside is like taking a trip back in time in this neighborhood, but the eyewear selection (not to mention the customer service) is thoroughly modern.

108 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Claw & Co.

101 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002

You've probably seen Claudia Gold's signature graffiti claw around New York City, but you might not know that she's also a store owner. Her Delancey Street shop is filled with vintage, streetwear, and her own collaborations with brands like Fila.

101 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

The Rising States

168 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Meagan Delaney has been on the block since 2013, and her boutique has become a destination to find local labels like Samantha Pleet, Upstate, Mary Meyer, and Loeffler Randall — and since she's friends with a lot of the designers behind them, don't be surprised if they're shopping right next to you.

168 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

ØDD. New York

164 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

How could you not pop into a store with a name like this? It's for those that have graduated from Hot Topic graphic tees to slick labels like Alexandre Plokhov, Dsquared2, Iris van Herpen, and Ann Demeulemeester, not to mention accessories like scissor earrings and orangutan backpacks.

164 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

The Cast

72 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

"The Cast is amazing because they do custom leather jackets," makeup artist, DJ, and neighborhood expert Kristin Gallegos shared with us. And speaking of sharing, The Cast shares a space with punk-leaning jewelry shop The Great Frog

Open in Google Maps

72 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Assembly New York

170 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

The merchandise at Assembly is avant-garde in a way that makes fashion people pine and non-fashion people giggle: think clunky shoes, drapey dresses, and 14-karat gold staples. Not wardrobe staples — paper staples.

170 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Freemans Sporting Club

8 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

This neighborhood is a great one for menswear, but Freemans stands out among them not only for its selection of well-made (and locally-made) apparel for casual wear and formal affairs but also because of its extras, like a barbershop next door, plus a restaurant from one of the co-founders down the out-of-the-way Freeman Alley.

Open in Google Maps

8 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Self Edge

157 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Another menswear hotspot is this shop that predominantly stocks Japanese denim (and no, you don't have to freeze jeans to preserve your favorite pair). Should your denim need repair, they'll do it on-site, which gives you plenty of time to browse shirting and leather accessories.

Open in Google Maps

157 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Tokyo Rebel

158 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Looking for NYC's headquarters for Japanese Lolita, punk, and goth fashion? Of course you were. Everything here is imported direct from Japan and unlike anything else you'll find in the stores listed here (or anywhere in the city, for that matter) — so even if it's not your style, take a peek inside just for fun. Tokyo Rebel shares a space with the like-minded (and wonderfully named) Baby, The Stars Shine Bright

Open in Google Maps

158 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Edith Machinist

104 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Take a few steps down from street level, leaving behind the bars and an impressive bulk candy shop, to this neighborhood destination for vintage that's very wearable (read: works in your wardrobe right now). Follow the shop's Instagram account for an up-to-the-minute look at what's stocked.

Open in Google Maps

104 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Alife

158 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

If you only have time for one Lower East Side streetwear shop (and trust, there's plenty to choose from), make it Alife. It's always stocked with fresh sneakers — including plenty of collaborations with the likes of Nike and Reebok — and logo-ed merch. Athletes and hip-hop stars are frequent shoppers, so keep your eyes peeled.

Open in Google Maps

158 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Anna Sheffield Jewelry

47 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

The local designer is a go-to for fine jewelry with a little edge, especially when it comes to engagement rings — Sheffield herself has called her designs "sweet and salty." If you're shopping for rings, be sure to make an appointment first.

Open in Google Maps

47 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website

Stanley's Pharmacy

31 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Your average Duane Reade this is not. The so-orange-you-can't-miss-it storefront on the corner of Hester Street includes a "wellness bar" and customized teas and tonics, not to mention some hard-to-find products.

Open in Google Maps

31 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Visit Website