Top 5 Shops In The Upper West Side

man and woman shopping together in Manhattan, New York

With Spring finally here, it’s time to revamp your lifestyle! Update your wardrobe, add some new items to your apartment, and trade old, unused books and records. Put away those heavy sweaters, coats, and scarves, and make room for short dresses, light jackets, and thin cardigan sweaters! While you’re at it, define your personal style by shopping at boutique shops. You can find everything from retro and contemporary clothing to modern decor and vintage records. For a great shopping experience, here are top 5 boutique shops you should visit in the Upper West Side, one of Manhattan’s most luxurious and diverse neighborhoods.

Inside of BOC women's clothing store in New York City
Photo: courtesy bocnyc

BOC New York

Ladies, this spacious, industrial-chic boutique along Columbus Avenue is surely the best clothing and accessories spot for you! Inspired by the Upper West Side crowd, BOC New York hosts a wide-range of  emerging and established designers (including Atea Oceanie, Philippe Model, The Great, Diega, Veronica Beard, Lola, etc.). Opened in August 2013, BOC New York offers fashion-forward and trendy items ranging from exclusive accessory brands to high-end luxury labels.

In 2014, the shop was named  Village Voice’s “Best Clothing Store for Women” in NYC. To expand their unique retail boutique, BOC New York launched their online store in 2015  sharing their NYC style and love for fashion worldwide. Stop by the store and say Hello, or check out the online shop. We recommend browsing through the “WHAT’S NEW” and “SALE” tabs to mix affordable with trendy.

Model wearing a piece from Mint boutique shop in NYC
Photo: courtesy Mint

Mint

Mint is ideal for ladies looking for reasonably-priced items and exceptionally designed Spring clothes. If you want to invest in a casual Spring dress, look no further. Our top picks would have to be the Soho Mixer Dress and Rush Hour Maxi by Yumi Kim. Why stop there? Look through the numerous tops, skirts, shorts, rompers, knits, denim, elegant handbags (especially from Rebecca Minkoff), and much more items. Join the mailing list to stay up to date with the new arrivals and the latest trends.

Interior of West NYC boutique sports shop
Photo: courtesy WEST NYC

WEST NYC

It’s not Spring without new sneakers and other sportswear! Any ‘sneakerhead’ and sports enthusiast should definitely check out WEST NYC, a unisex sports boutique shop on W 72nd Street. Whoever thought luxurious meant dressy couldn’t be more wrong. Get over your worn out kicks with Asics, Adidas, and Converse sneakers. If you prefer boots or moccasins, go with Danner, Clark’s, and Timberland. The prices are similar to the usual figures you see for each brand, but the quality doesn’t differ. Moreover, you can purchase T-Shirts, sweatshirts, outerwear, and hats/caps.

Bedroom decorated to match Spring season

Laytner’s Linen & Home

So you’ve upgraded your clothes collection, but what about your apartment? Shop from Laytner’s Linen & Home so your home can be Spring themed! With offices around the city, Laytner’s has been the destination for New Yorkers’ linen and bedding needs for two generations. As seen on the website, item categories are divided into Bedding, Bath, Home Accents, Furniture, Dining, and much more. They describe their products as “sophisticated yet always comfortable and practical”.

A good tip for apartment decorating is vibrant patterns and bright colors that blend in with your apartment decor. Install green shower and living room curtains (blue is a suitable choice too), reveal your floral bed cover, add a flower vase in the living room (on the dining table, kitchen counter, or a wooden stool), and change your table linen.

Inside of Westsider Books in Upper West Side NYC
Photo: courtesy Westsider Books
Inside of Westsider Records in Upper West Side NYC
Photo: courtesy Westsider Records

Westsider Books & Westsider Records

Last but certainly not least, bibliophiles and music aficionados should head over to Westsider Books (81st and Broadway) and Westsider records (West 72nd Street) if they’re looking to buy, sell, or trade their old books and records. The inventory of books, music, films, and plays is almost unlimited, since there are over 30,000 music records under $200. Seize the chance to learn about various subjects (graphic design, children’s books, fiction & literature, etc.) and art forms (art books, musical scores, classical music, rock & roll, etc.).

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Posted in manhattan living, Top Picks, Upper West Side | Tagged