Boutiques are small setups of specialized retail products. Derived from the French word for a store, a boutique is far from a regular store. While a store provides different items under one roof, boutiques offer custom made items that are usually higher in price and quality. Boutiques are, in general, a symbol of status and brand. People love to shop from these chic setups because of the personalized experience they get. They even have shopping assistants for everyone so that they can shop in a much convenient way.
Following fashion trends and filling your shopping carts accordingly is more common among females. While men do follow trends, it is the females who glitter the world of fashion. The concept of boutiques has made a woman’s life much easier. These cute shops are quick to upgrade their inventory according to the latest designer fashion.
How Boutiques Work
The compact nature of boutiques demands the owners to be careful about what they put up for display. More often than not, boutiques take customized orders and work on them within a given time. Since they do not have a lot of space in their shops, they often store variations elsewhere. Boutiques may be run by a newbie who wants to showcase their talent to the world or be a franchise of an already established bigger brand. Either way, most boutiques are ready to take customized orders.
Most boutiques are specialized in one or two items that are hit for sales. For example, a boutique that offers bridal dresses would look absurd to display sneakers. This specified marketing ensures that people find what they are looking for instead of running everywhere with no luck.
Earliest Boutiques
The earliest boutiques were recorded to be found in Paris in the 1920s. It is no wonder that Paris is considered as a fashion capital. Soon enough, this concept was spread like wildfire throughout Europe and the USA. By the 1960s, glamorous little shops started appearing and caught everyone’s attention.
The charm that comes with a boutique is hard to ignore. Boutiques became a place for teenagers to hang out and get themselves updated with the latest trends. The most famous boutiques are present in cities like Paris, New York, and London.
Fashion Trends in the US
Like everything in this world, fashion evolved with time too. There was a time for frilled dresses, and there was an era of baggie jeans – both were considered chic at their respective times. Let us take you on a brief journey through America’s fashion history:
The 1920s
Considered as an era of simplicity, both men and women embraced simple clothing. Women would wear straight dresses that flowed below their knees. A short collar with a pearl necklace would complete the look. A trip outside the house would usually mean to cover their short hair with a hat.
Men stopped wearing formal dresses; instead, they got used to soft striped shirts with a cane or a pocket watch in hand.
The 1950s
During this decade, women got a wide variety to choose from to fill their wardrobes. Bright colored formal dresses with thin waistlines were introduced with the emergence of brands like Dior and Coco Chanel. Women also started taking an interest in business-oriented suits.
Inspired by James and Elvis Presley, many men started following their style. Narrow trousers, t-shirts, and jackets became immensely popular.
The 1980s
This era is considered to be alien in terms of previous fashions. Women would opt for high waist trousers with oversized tops. The colors suddenly became too bright, almost neon in terms of clothes and make-up.
Men preferred jeans and corduroy for jeans with bright-colored t-shirts. They also started to wear sports jerseys.
The 2000s
Fashion took a drastic feminine leap once again during this decade. Miniskirts and cropped, and Capri pants made an entry. Men also started following freestyle casual clothing paired with baseball caps.
Top Boutiques in New York City
New York City can be a bit of a hassle for a shopping experience. The variety and the glitz can have a numb effect on anyone who wants to go on a shopping spree. Following is a list of trendy boutiques in NYC that are hard to miss:
Veda
Veda takes pride in fashionable leather jackets. It started off as a winter necessity, but now these jackets are a style statement. For just under $1000, you can get a nice jacket to pair with slim jeans for a perfect evening.
Address: 271 Canal St floor 5, New York, NY 10013
Maryam Nassir Zadeh
Maryam Nassir Zadeh is famous for displaying the talents of emerging designers as well as her own indie designs. She has made a place among the girls of New York City who are always looking for comfortable yet trendy clothing.
Address: 123 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002
Totokaelo
A brand in SoHo, Totokaelo offers delicate for men and women alike. Their name means “the sky is the limit,” and they do follow it religiously. Not only clothing, but they also offer small furniture and other lifestyle pieces.
Address: 61 Crosby St, New York, NY 10012
Swords-Smith
Swords-Smith fashion boutique is set in a stylish location in New York City. It takes great pride in displaying more than 80 brans for women, including Maison Margiela, Issey Miyake, and Robert Geller. If you are looking for a wide variety to choose from, you should head straight to Swords-Smith.
Address: 98 S 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Vintage Twin
As the name suggests, this boutique is centered on vintage clothing. If you are a fan of 80s style, this is a go-to place for you. What makes this boutique special is that they give 10% of their earnings to charity. Indeed, a noble place to shop.
Address: 543 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Duo
Duo is a must-visit place for denim and jeans. This boutique offers a wide variety of vintage pants and suits, and it gets a strong following among people who simply love everything vintage yet fashionable.
Address: 337 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003
Frankie Shop
You are in for a surprise if you are someone who struggles to find cute, insta-worthy stuff. Frankie Shop has the most range of products in the hood. From clothing to art pieces, they have everything. Also, the price tags are easy on the pocket.
Address: 100 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002
Mansur Gavriel
Something that started as an online venture, Mansur Gavriel took everyone by surprise by introducing chic bags and footwear. His specialties are the pleasing aesthetics that comes with his brand.
Address: 134 Wooster St.
Warm
This boutique is heartwarming like its name because it is a family-owned business. They offer everything that is handmade and local clothing goods. Warm sure is a welcome site among hassling stores.
Address: 181 Mott St.
The MoMa Design Store
If you are looking for a place to buy cute gifts, look no further when you have this amazing store in the town. MoMa deals in a lot of unique items like prints, home décor, and jewelry. Their unique designs stand them apart among others in town.
Address: 81 Spring St A, New York, NY 10012
Fashion Designers of New York
New York City as a fashion hub clearly means that most of the big names of fashion industries are settled here. The city had been merciful to them, and they rose to recognition. Now, the residents of NYC look up to them to freshen their wardrobe with changing trends. Some of the big names in the fashion industry are:
- Tory Burch – one of the wealthiest designers out there, is famous for comfy and cute attires.
- Rosie Assoulin – with practical yet comfortable wear, Rosie has a natural talent for fashion designing.
- Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters – The duo is an excellent combination of simplicity and dynamic clothing. They have won numerous awards for their contributions to the fashion industry.
- Donna Karan – with her mom as a model and dad as a tailor, Donna is a natural designer. Her products are a symbol of absolute class.
- Michael Kors – Michael designed his mother’s wedding dress for her second marriage when he was only five. After a decade, Michael was soon selling his own designs, and now he is one of the most famous designers not only in the USA but worldwide.
A Charming Shopping Experience in New York City
Boutiques provide a shopping experience like no other. Although the prices may be slightly higher than usual in these classy stores, they ensure excellent quality to their customers. They represent a brand name, after all. Whether it is a huge brand or a humble place to showcase homemade products, boutiques in New York City are a welcoming concept.