Shopping Survival Guide
This season, you want to put your best foot forward (literally) and look red-carpet ready seven days a week. One of the benefits of living so close to the Fashion Capital is we get all the goods in our own backyards. Whether a mall or hamlet is your flavor, these highlights won’t disappoint.
Gold Coast
Americana Manhasset and its sister Wheatley Plaza are the vanguards of Nassau County’s most fashionable shopping. The most exciting brands in fashion and jewelry, like Burberry, Cartier, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Dior, Donna Karan New York, Ermenegildo Zegna, Escada, Etro, Hermès, Loro Piana, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo and St. John call these venues home to their eponymous stores as well as retailers like London Jewelers, Hirshleifers, Sneakerology 101 and Tiffany & Co. Part of the fun is strolling through an afternoon seeing and being seen, snacking and sipping at the boutique eateries and taking in the artful storefronts.
Hamptons
Do you really have to be told? The Hamptons are venerated for many things, the least of which is the shopping. Both East Hampton and Southampton host splendid offerings, you need only park your car and start browsing. Eileen Fisher, Elie Tahari, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren, who all come out to play here, are also part of the retail biosphere that makes the East End unique.
Huntington
At some point this summer, you will find yourself in this bustling hamlet. The retail therapy you seek will be duly satisfied, but keep in mind most retailers will close by 7 or 8. For sophisticated and flirty fashion, not fads mind you, Rexer-Parkes delivers Alberta Ferretti, Badgley Mischka, Isabel Marant and Milly. Mitchells l Marshs carries both ladies and men’s styles from casual Agave and Ralph Lauren to more elegant selections from Brioni and Chloé. RJ West will get you ready for your close up, carrying make-up and skin care products. And then there are all those restaurants for afterwards…
North Fork
The last frontier of our sandbar’s urbane history is also host to some of the finest purveyors of antiques, artisan works and crafts. The wineries are just the beginning. A trip along Main Road is akin to a treasure hunt finding all manner of unique novelties for home and life.
Plainview
Tucked into the corners where South Oyster Bay and Woodbury Roads converge are a scattering of family retailers and cheery eateries. Standouts include Emily Sky Fashions, which tailors to ladies who like to “make a statement without saying a word,” favoring casual brands like Blank Denim, Cheap Monday, Hale Bob and House of Harlow. Shoe Box New York, which now has eight stores in NY and FL, first planted its flag here 50+ years ago. Today, they complement the boldest trends by carrying shoes and accessories from Badgley Mischka to Pucci to Vince Camuto.
South Shore
The ocean side of our sandbar boasts many walkable hamlets, each with its own character and flair. It’s easy to while away an afternoon in Rockville Centre’s many smallish boutiques that carry the usual suspects of contemporary daywear, several specializing in children’s apparel. Similarly, though somewhat quieter, is Babylon village. Bay Shore and Sayville have been making a splash in home decor. And assuming you start in RVC and work east, ending in Patchogue will introduce you to Blums, the ultimate in swimwear and lingerie, putting you in position for the nightly music and arts scene.
