Sep
4
Navigating this town can often require a lot of footwork, quite literally. To find shoes that are man enough to take your 8am to 8pm—or wild enough to turn your 11pm into 5am—is no small feat (pun narrowly avoided). That’s why we’ve rounded up ten of the best shoe stores for all walks of NYC life.
For day-to-day running around, we’d point you towards Nicholas Kirkwood for their namesake clog booties. A big night out may warrant a splurge at Charlotte Olympia, reigning queen of the contrast platform. After the jump, all the stores you need to know to stock your walk-in shoe closet and/or kitchen cupboards.
In this time of the year in New York every one is looking for a new summer pair of shoes to show of their perfect feet, so here is the Top 10 Shoe Shopping Store of NYC, so you can find your new pair.
Charlotte Olympia, 22 East 65th Street, New York, NY 10021
You won’t find many basic pumps at designer Charlotte Olympia Dellal’s first New York City outpost: instead, expect elaborately printed platforms, embroidered smoking slippers, and currently, a cosmic collection for all signs of the zodiac. The selection rotates frequently, so if kitty flats aren’t your thing, keep checking back.
Schutz, 655 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10021
The Brazilian brand is making their mark on Madison Avenue with colorful kicks. From sky-high pumps to sneaker wedges, prices range from $125 to $300. (You could certainly do a lot worse on the UES.) Head here for shoes that use party as a verb.
Nicholas Kirkwood, 807 Washington Street, New York, NY 10014
Nicholas Kirkwood’s Meatpacking boutique, which comes complete with an outdoor garden and plenty of heels that run upwards of $1,000, is the designer’s first in the U.S. The merchandise includes Kirkwood’s seasonal collections of architectural heels with laser-cut details, as well as the brand’s frequent collaborations.
Christian Louboutin, 59 Horatio Street, New York, NY 10014
Barneys and Bergdorf may also have them, but there’s no better place to shop for Louboutin’s ubiquitous red bottoms than the brand’s own boutiques, which include a men’s store right around the corner and another on Madison Avenue.
Pierre Hardy, 30 Jane Street, New York, New York 10014
The Parisian designer is known for graphic details—think geometric squares and colorblocking. Inspired by architecture, his shoes are artful and confident—but make no mistake, these heels are sexy. Prices are definitely in the designer tier, so anticipate dropping some serious dough.
Jean Michel Cazabat, 350 Bleecker Street, New York, NY
Sexy and colorful, head to the intimate boutique for heels that steal the show. The designer’s styles are on-trend without beating you over the head about it. While the shoes look super expensive, most of them retail under $300—cha-ching.
Leffot, 10 Christopher Street, New York, NY 10014
Leffot sells hip but sturdy men’s shoes from brands like Alden and Wolverine under the watchful eye of owner Steven Taffel, who seems to know everything there is to know about men’s footwear. Only drawback: The prices, but then, perfection doesn’t come cheap.
United Nude, 25 Bond St, New York, NY 10012
Even United Nude’s most basic styles come with a little touch of the nontraditional—think ballet flats with small block heels, wedges that resemble a Möbius band, mosaic peep-toes, and pumps with chair feet. Similarly, the brand’s Bond Street flagship is a piece of art in and of itself.
Galeria Melissa, 102 Greene St, New York, NY 10012
Jelly-shoe lovers take heed: Sao Paulo-based Melissa offers up plastic styles in adult appropriate silhouettes, like wedges and heels. They also love a guest designer, and counts Jason Wu, Vivienne Westwood, and Gareth Pugh among past collaborators.
Kathryn Amberleigh, 219 Mott St, New York, NY 10012
The skinny, white space is the New York designer’s first store (she’s since opened a second in Meatpacking), displaying her designs unpretentiously. With a good amount of variety to the styles, it feels like you’re picking up something that’s one-of-a-kind.
