What is the Boutique of the Week?

With a belief that everyone can use a little retail therapy, The Boutique of the Week helps guide you away from the New York City chains and expensive designers and directly to the most unique and affordable boutiques in the city. 

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Entries in Hats (5)

Tuesday
Jul132010

Still Life

Location - 77 Orchard Street (near Broome)

Still Life has been bringing exquisite craftsmanship to beautifully designed hats in the Lower East Side for years, and continues to have styles for both women and men in gorgeous materials. The small shop is a blank canvas, giving focus to the hat bar where owner and designer Frenel Morris displays his handmade creations.

With its own millinery studio in Brooklyn, Still Life pairs its original designs with local handmade quality, ensuring every hat is as unique as the wearer.  Straw and felt hats are embellished with leather, suede, silk, feathers, buttons, and metal clasps and range from $75-$500.  Favorites include equestrian-inspired styles adorned with vintage buttons and leather trim ($275) and straw fedoras with colorful silk ribbon ($250). Custom orders are available if you can't find what you're looking for and there are also small accessories, including wallets, bags, and vintage sunglasses.

The passion for hats and style are evident and with constantly updated collections and modern styles, Still Life will easily be adorning the heads of New Yorkers for years.

Photos courtesy of Still Life.

Tuesday
Jul062010

Task

Location - 100 North 3rd Street (between Berry & Wythe), Williamsburg

Task is a carefully edited boutique filled with eclectic home decor and clothing, mixing bohemian chic with vintage flair in a raw space in Williamsburg. Owner Anne Seally used her over 30 years of experience in the design and fashion industry to create a place filled with global contemporary pieces for all parts of ones life, including home, fashion, children and work.

The housewares are exquisite and include dinnerware, glasses, pillows, candles, lamps, soaps, and picture frames. Stocked with both hard-to-find brands such as Heath Ceramics and one-of-a-kind vintage accessories, there is something for everyone and every home. Pieces range in both femininity and masculinity, with beaded accent pillows with floral patterns and cast iron tea pots by Staub. Favorites include hand painted Moroccan bowls ($130), a dove-shaped illuminating lamp ($98), and Turkish lanterns ($48-64).

The clothing collection is easy-to-wear with flowing fabrics and intricate details. The designers are both European and Domestic and include Hannoh, Chan Luu, Humanoid, Marika Charles, Burning Torch, and Lucky Fish. Basic pieces start at $60 and include wardrobe-staple long sleeve tees, flowing dresses, and romantic skirts. Favorites include butter-soft leather jackets for $675 and reworked vintage fabric tops for $265. Accessories include hats, scarves, bags, and amazing statement-making necklaces that range from $160-325.

Task is filled with pieces that are unique and hard to find in the city that not only make great gifts, but are perfect for your own home or wardrobe.

Tuesday
Sep292009

Loopy Mango

Location - DUMBO 117 Front Street (near Adams St)

Tucked in bustling DUMBO, Loopy Mango is stocked with fabulous eccentric pieces and luxurious, vintage-inspired designs. With a mix of old and new styles, the space is set up like a gallery so you can find not only great clothes, but beautiful vintage home goods and body soaps and lotions.

Co-owned by a crochet designer and an artist, this boutique truly meshes their worlds in a comfortable environment filled with unique pieces.  Their wide range of womenswear includes chunky sweaters, silk dresses, cotton basics, and structured blouses ($50-$400+).  Whether from Paris or Brooklyn, they strive to stock the best items in fresh styles that can easily be added to any wardrobe.  Brands include KRMA, Graham & Spencer, Line, Makie, Autumn Cashmere, Pas de Calais, Eva Franco, and Lia Kes.

The clothes aren't the only reason to stop by, you can complete your vintage-with-an-edge look with a fantastic assortment of accessories. Their unique jewelry ($30-$300) includes delicate gold and silver pieces, as well as large statement pieces. Bright hair accessories made of feathers, bows, and ribbons ($5-$50).  Stay warm with plaid, patterned, and richly textured scarves ($75-$185), as well as gloves and timeless hats.  Shoes range from canvas Bensimon's ($50-$80) to well-crafted leather boots (around $300).  They also stock a wide selection of bags with up-and-coming designers, including small clutches, slouchy hobos, and fringe styles ($100-$600).  Candles, soaps, and lotions from Tocca and Eau de Brooklyn range from $10-$40.  Sprinkled throughout are classic vintage finds including frames, lamps, and furniture that add to the entire experience.

Loopy Mango moved their collection to Brooklyn in 2006 after spending two years in the East Village. 

Friday
Jul032009

Helianthus

Location - 552 La Guardia Place (between W. 3rd & Bleecker) and 196 Spring Street (and Sullivan)

 Steps from Washington Square Park, this youthful boutique carries easy-to-wear pieces that bring out anyone's inner girliness.  With a range of brands and trends matching anyone's look of the day, it's fun to shop their whimsical, airy collection and chat with their friendly and knowledgeable staff.

The best part of Helianthus, meaning "sun" and "flower" in Greek, is the fun and quirky accessories. Everything from hats, belts, hair accessories, sunglasses, and jewelry can be found in fun colors and contemporary styles ($15-$75). Check out the playful jewelry along the entrance wall and in the coffee table display case. Pieces such as a rocking-chair pendant necklace ($28) to rhinestone pink snoopy earrings ($23) as well as bangles, rings and headbands can be found. Leather cross-body bags in jewel-tones are also displayed for $100-$250.

The womenswear ranges from $30-$250 include flirty, brightly colored dresses and tops that have edgy embellished details, such as a black ruched zipper-trim tank for $104.  Asian and Western trends meet with the collections from Kloset, Liza Chen, Wish, Twinkle, Pepper & Pistol, Wren, and Graham & Spencer.  There's a large sale selection in the back, and make sure to use the student discount if attending NYU.

Sunday
Jun212009

NY Artificial

Location - 13 Eighth Ave (near West 12th Street)

Be ready to re-define yourself - and your style - after entering NY Artificial.  With local designers, eco-friendly materials, and trendy designs topped of with an amazingly attentive owner, you'll not only walk out with a great find, but a boost in self-esteem.  In addition to the warm welcome, you'll get thoughtful suggestions and helpful tidbits of information based on what pieces you stop to inspect further.  With prices ranging from $75-$400+, you'll get to model all types of bags from oversized totes to small metallic clutches.  Many styles come in ranges of colors and are mainly made in Manhattan.

Jewelry and other accessories, including hats and scarves are scattered throughout the store.  Inexpensive bangles to locally designed precious metal necklaces and earrings are so easy to wear and enhance the new handbag you're sure to purchase.  Be sure to check out the sister store next door that has apparel and more accessories.

If the handbags and accessories aren't enough, the hidden gem found at the back of the store is the makeup made by the owner, Aaron Bond. Already used by New York 1 and featured on the Red Carpet at the Tony Awards, this all-natural makeup line is hands-down amazing. Aaron, a former model, is so knowledgeable and attentive to skin needs that his line feels like freshness on the face. He will educate you on how to apply and transform you face into a natural, beautiful you. Though a little pricey, it's definitely worth the extra bucks to know you're only putting natural ingredients on your face, and it will last forever. I would recommend the amazing concealer ($28) and the lip satin hydrator ($19).