Barneys New York

Description:

• New York's self-made temple of chic still reigns supreme. While the store focuses on hot-off-the-runway women's wear, its men's wear runs the gamut from classic to cutting-edge. The fragrance department works hard to offer offbeat and unusual scents along with the classics. Bring your platinum card, because nothing comes cheap here, although house brands are solidly made and aren't off-the-chart expensive. Both the downtown (in two locations) and uptown Barneys Co-Ops have blossomed into real fashion hot spots, sisterly but separate from the chic Barneys New York Madison Avenue headquarters. At Barneys Co-Op, more downtown-casual fashions for men and women -- from designer names like Diane von Furstenberg, Juicy Couture, and Rebecca Taylor -- set the tone. Prices are more reasonable than at the flagship but certainly not cheap.

  Tip: Twice a year, Barneys hosts its famous warehouse sale in Chelsea. Prices are changed daily, but markdowns are 50% to 80% off the original retail prices on all clothing and gifts. So if you are planning a shopping trip to the city, check the website for sale dates.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010