Colleen Clark
Elite shopping streets
We all like travel stories, and shopping while on vacation helps you build a wardrobe with a story: the leather sandals that you (or your travel partner) bargained for at that souk in Fez, the vintage Pucci from that boutique in London, the made-to-order jeans from that stall in Bangkok. More than souvenirs, clothes and accessories extend your vacation, bringing reminders of adventures abroad into your daily life. And as the runway-to-chain-store fashion cycles get faster—and that Marc Jacobs bag gets knocked off before it makes it to Barneys—foreign treasures may just be the perfect way to personalize your look.
Start with a trip to an up-and-comer such as Copenhagen’s sterbro and Town Center areas. “If you want something that’s ahead of the curve, that’s the place to go,” Lucky magazine Editor at Large Gigi Guerra says. Many of the designers breaking onto the U.S. scene such as Malene Birger hail from the city. “The clothes are really inventive, but are easily wearable on a daily basis.” Because the city is so compact, it’s easy to navigate to stores such as Normann, a homewares and kitchen store housed in an old cinema, or eco-conscious Moshi Moshi. Plan your trip to coincide with one of the massive annual flea markets or with CPH Vision, an annual design fair held at the ksnehallen. This year’s festival runs from August 9 to 12...
Elite shopping streets
We all like travel stories, and shopping while on vacation helps you build a wardrobe with a story: the leather sandals that you (or your travel partner) bargained for at that souk in Fez, the vintage Pucci from that boutique in London, the made-to-order jeans from that stall in Bangkok. More than souvenirs, clothes and accessories extend your vacation, bringing reminders of adventures abroad into your daily life. And as the runway-to-chain-store fashion cycles get faster—and that Marc Jacobs bag gets knocked off before it makes it to Barneys—foreign treasures may just be the perfect way to personalize your look.
Start with a trip to an up-and-comer such as Copenhagen’s sterbro and Town Center areas. “If you want something that’s ahead of the curve, that’s the place to go,” Lucky magazine Editor at Large Gigi Guerra says. Many of the designers breaking onto the U.S. scene such as Malene Birger hail from the city. “The clothes are really inventive, but are easily wearable on a daily basis.” Because the city is so compact, it’s easy to navigate to stores such as Normann, a homewares and kitchen store housed in an old cinema, or eco-conscious Moshi Moshi. Plan your trip to coincide with one of the massive annual flea markets or with CPH Vision, an annual design fair held at the ksnehallen. This year’s festival runs from August 9 to 12...
Colleen Clark
Elite shopping streets
We all like travel stories, and shopping while on vacation helps you build a wardrobe with a story: the leather sa... more
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1
Town Center
Copenhagen, Denmark
Shop for up-and-coming designers, mid-century modern furniture and sleek homewares in Copenhagen’s Town Center. Expect stores as impeccably designed as the wares that they’re selling.
2
Palermo Soho
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Often referred to as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires has all the style--and sidewalk shopping chic--of its cross-pond neighbor without the brutal exchange rate. Check out the maze of boutiques in the hip Palermo Soho neighborhood.
3
Siam
Bangkok, Thailand
Shopping is a 24-7 activity in Bangkok. Avoid the designer knock-offs in favor of the street chic fashions sold in the Siam area. Massive malls mixed with a labyrinth of young designer stalls make this a retail mecca.
4
St. Barthélemy
St. Barthélemy
Shopping in the Caribbean typically involves liquor depots, cheesy gemstone jewelers and sarong outfitters. Ditch the kitsch and book a trip to St. Barth's, a French territory whose boutiques read as a who’s who of high-end designers.
5
Shibuya district
Tokyo, Japan
As much for people watching as purchasing, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood has an “anything goes” aesthetic. Find everything from delicate paper goods to quirky street wear, designer denim to industrial watches.
6
Jemaâ el Fna
Marrakech, Morocco
Shopping in Morocco is all about the experience… and the bargaining. Set aside a full day to get lost in one of the Marrakech souks converging at the medina's nexus, Jemaâ el Fna, and then find more upscale boutiques in Gueliz. Though ceramics, leather goods and jewelry are all on offer, think bigger with one-of-a-kind furniture pieces that can easily be shipped home.
7
The Marais
Paris, France
Every serious shopper has made at least one pilgrimage to Paris to soak in the seemingly effortless style. Though Avenue Montaigne still reigns over the fashion world with Chanel, Gucci and more, the exchange rate has driven travelers to quirkier options, such as the weekend markets or the Marais. Boutiques in this lively neighborhood are among the only ones in the city that stay open on Sunday and later into the evenings.
8
Covent Garden
London, England
When shopping in London, opt for the big guys: Selfridges, Fortnum and Mason, Top Shop and Liberty. These mega-stores feature floors of designers new and old; high-end home goods; vintage clothes; in-store tea rooms, bars and restaurants; and more. The stores are clustered around Covent Garden, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus, so a good jumping-off point is Top Shop on Oxford. Then work your way through all the "high street" stores towards Selfridge's near Bond Street.
9
Robertson Boulevard
Los Angeles, Calif.
Rodeo Drive is the elite street to beat in Los Angeles, and with good reason. But there's a contender on the scene: with celeb faves such as Kitson, Curve and Lisa Kline, Robertson Boulevard is the hippest shopping locale. Mingle among stars with a trip to Beverly Hills, lunch with the tabloid darlings at The Ivy and then make your way down Robertson Boulevard. If you have the time and energy, hit the Beverly Center just a few blocks away.
10
Fifth Avenue
New York, N.Y.
From Soho to the Upper East Side, the range of retail offerings in New York is positively overwhelming. But you can never go wrong with a classic. Starting at Central Park saunter down 5th Avenue’s legendary stretch of stores starting from Bergdorf Goodman to Tiffany, Brooks Brothers, Givenchy, Cartier and ending at Saks.
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