A fashion expert’s insider guide to shopping in New York City

New York City has long held its crown as the nation’s style capital, a place where luxury flagships sit shoulder to shoulder with independent boutiques and century old department stores. But according to celebrated stylist Erin Walsh, many visitors only scratch the surface. They flock to the bright corridors of 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center and Herald Square, never realising how many treasures lie tucked inside the city’s lesser travelled streets.

Walsh, a longtime New Yorker and stylist to stars including Anne Hathaway and Selena Gomez, believes that true fashion discovery begins where the guidebooks stop. For her, shopping is less about chasing labels and more about following instinct. “Get lost,” she says with conviction. “The only way you get surprised and inspired is when you just wander around.” It is an approach shaped by her deep affection for the city. “When you live in New York, it becomes part of your identity,” she says. “Your heart starts to beat with it.”

Her insider philosophy centres around exploring neighbourhood “pockets”, small clusters of shops, cafés and hidden gems that together create a full sensory experience. Walsh thinks of the restaurants nearby, the cosy places to pause, and the feeling of a neighbourhood rather than just the fashion within it. These micro adventures, she says, make shopping feel personal rather than transactional.

One of Walsh’s favourite pockets is Nolita, a neighbourhood brimming with independent brands, vintage gems and emerging designers. The streets here are narrow and full of character, making it ideal for wandering without a plan. She recommends moving slowly, dipping into boutiques that catch the eye, then recharging at one of the many small cafés that fill the area. No two visits feel quite the same, which she counts as part of the neighbourhood’s magic.

Another highlight is SoHo, though not the mainstream stretches most tourists see. Walsh prefers the quieter side streets where modern luxury labels mingle with experimental shops and artist driven spaces. She praises SoHo for its ability to reinvent itself constantly. For fashion lovers who thrive on novelty, she says, there is always something fresh waiting around the next corner.

Brooklyn also features heavily in Walsh’s guide. Williamsburg, with its blend of vintage, contemporary fashion and handmade goods, offers the kind of creative energy that inspires both stylists and designers. She encourages visitors to explore beyond the busiest avenues and into the residential parts of the neighbourhood where smaller boutiques hide. These stores often showcase local designers whose pieces capture the spirit of Brooklyn’s creativity.

For a more classic shopping experience, Walsh points to the Upper East Side, where heritage department stores, elegant boutiques and jewel box speciality shops form a world of polished glamour. Here the pleasure comes from browsing slowly, appreciating craftsmanship and stepping briefly into a more refined version of New York life.

Walsh’s final piece of advice is simple. Don’t shop with an agenda. The beauty of New York lies in its unpredictability. Let curiosity lead, treat the city like a living gallery and embrace the unexpected. The best finds, she insists, are rarely planned but always memorable.