When you hear the term “Private Label boutique,” you may immediately think “over-priced clothing” and “too-snobby-to-deal-with salesgirls,” and…well, you’re not totally wrong. But there are boutiques out there that house some amazing gems (their own “private label,” and others) with salespeople who actually know how to smile…sometimes. We can’t promise your wallets won’t suffer a bit, but a visit to any of the following boutiques will certainly add some one-of-a-kind flair to a dull wardrobe. Foley + Corinna
114 Stanton St. (Essex & Ludlow Sts.)
Lower East Side 212.529.2338
The sartorial princesses of the Lower East Side, Dana Foley and Anna Corinna, created a magical shop that mixes vintage with new, and everything is perfectly color coordinated. Whether you’re looking for an edgy belt or a girly-girl dress, you’ll find some of the coolest incarnations here.
Steven Alan
103 Franklin St. (@ West Broadway)
TriBeCa 212.343.0692
From the designer that brought us that ubiquitous button-down, we now get rocker style tees, Earnest Sewn and Loomstate jeans, Philip Lim dresses, Comme des Garcons pieces, and of course, Steven Alan staples. If you’re feeling generous, pick something up for the boyfriend, too. A skinny tie, perhaps?
Jutta Neumann
158 Allen St. (Stanton & Rivington Sts.)
Lower East Side 212.982.7048
Talk about talent! Jutta actually makes the pieces she sells in her store…in the back. While you’re perusing her unique leather goods (all by her), from clutches to wristbands to colorful handbags, there’s a good chance you’ll hear her hammering away in her workshop. It adds that old school authentic touch that sadly went out of style in…um, the early 1900s. The coolest feature: the customized sandals!
Oak
208 N. 8th St. (Driggs Ave. & Roebling St.)
Williamsburg 718.782.0521
If there’s such a thing as hipster heaven, this is it. Acne jeans, Barb & Joleta cloud necklaces, and Humanoid dresses mingle with Ksubi playsuits and Vena Cava tanks. One caveat to your visit: cool point in the form of unique, oddly-placed tattoos or asymmetrical haircuts are occasionally required for admittance.
Scoop
473-475 Broadway (Broome & Grand St.)
SoHo 212.925.3539
OK, maybe not what you’d instantly think of when you hear “private label boutique,” but Scoop's signature line has been expanding and we’ve been quite impressed with it. Cotton jersey tube dresses, unbelievably soft sweats, sundresses, and other trendy pieces are hard to pass up. Their Stuart Weitzman for Scoop patent leather heels are also major eye-catchers. Of course, all the usual suspects like DVF wrap dresses and Marc Jacobs handbags are still here, and remind you of why you fell in love with Scoop in the first place.
