To ensure that your gifts aren’t run-of-the-mill, in New York we suggest going directly to the city’s style temples where worthy gifts are only a hand stretch away. We’ve trolled some of our favorite New York stores, both old and new, to help focus your holiday shopping.

The selection of first edition, out-of-print fashion and photography books (some signed) at Atelier New York make a smart choice for fashionistas seeking solid references. Next door at Dame 115, the new spot to find the sumptuously unusual, owner Robin Fonseca’s self-designed gold and silver unisex rings with oversized gemstones — a la Louis Vuitton — are a moodier, cheaper choice. Loyd Malsh’s structured pony skin totes, in oxblood and military green and lined in purple suede, are the well-constructed bags for a pulled-together executive or downtown stylista. People will be guessing, “Is it Prada? Mulberry?”

Give the gift of a fabulous basic in the form of a muslin-wrapped Schiessec t-shirt from Opening Ceremony. Those in the know will appreciate your acute search. Also at Opening Ceremony, look to Cloak’s chunky wool knits with hoods and fisherman buttons, or Rachel Comey’s alpalca button-up sweater as a gift to a discerning and fashionable man in your life. Men are also buzzing about Unis: check out the label at Odin New York or at the Unis store on Elizabeth Street for a selection of parkas and pullovers.

Across town at the underrated Destination, Lorenza’s melted silver and gold chain earrings will find the lucky recipient showered in compliments. You may have quite a time making a selection at TenThousandThings, one of the latest addictions in the Meatpacking District, where a selection of beautifully colored gems and stones are whipped up into delicate yet hard hitting designs that will excite the bijoux-obsessed.

At Dernier Cri, we’re taken by Robert Cary Williams’ industrial prints on surprisingly sexy t-shirts that are covered in tiny holes. For the male equivalent, M. Carter’s black and blue hand-dyed vintage tees with skulls and other industrial motifs are at Selvedge, or Michael and Hushi’s Middle Eastern themes on tees can be found at Hotel Venus. Also look for John Derian’s selection of the perfect Rogues Gallery t-shirts, sweatshirts, and patchwork scarves with silk-screened anchors and animals.

Smack in the center of Manhattan’s new Style Line, Brush Day Spa is latest spot for in-the-know spa goers. Every scrub and treatment is made fresh every morning — think oatmeal, honey and brown sugar scrub or hot milk and rose petal hand soak. This holiday, inquire about their Lotus Touch treatment at an insider’s discount. For New Yorkers who are always just a step away from a beauty process, this treatment features a candlelit bath of rose petals, skin sloughing, massage and shampoo.

For the home, there’s D.L. & Co.‘s thorn apple scented candles, which are our latest scent obsession. If you fail to win one in our contest, buy it at Bergdorf’s — it’ll make anyone happy. Less exquisite, but cheeky and useful, are Candela‘s rechargeable lamps available at the MoMA Design Store.

And you can’t lose with a gift for someone’s baby. We suggest stopping in to Trust Fund Baby on Elizabeth Street for a baby cardi, or to Temperley for cashmere with bursts of stars that give new meaning to the term child star.


-Krista Freibaum and Meghan Cleary

Photos: Rare books at Atelier New York
Robin Fonseca rings at Dame115
Loyd Malsh

Schiessec tees at Opening Ceremony