I Spent the Afternoon Shopping in NYC—I Won't Be Forgetting These 23 Finds

by Eliza Huber

If you thought rent prices were a problem in New York City, try being a fashion editor living smack-dab in the center of its biggest shopping hub. It's torture, especially recently, with so many of the industry's coolest and most sought-after brands making SoHo their home after living mostly online. (Welcome to the neighborhood, Khaite, Toteme, Alaïa, Simkhai, and Cult Gaia!) Every day when I walk to get a coffee or pick up my prescription at the local CVS, I have to put physical effort into keeping my eyes forward and my attention away from temptation at every turn. But after a few weeks of good behavior, I decided it was time to let myself indulge in the benefits of the place I choose to call home and spend an afternoon doing what I do best: shop.

In addition to roaming around SoHo for a few too many hours during my day of (mostly) window shopping, I also headed up to Midtown to see what was new at Nordstrom, a store I can't resist stopping into every single time I'm nearby. And while I'd like to say that nothing at all caught my eye along the way, I'd be lying if I did. In reality, I saw too many good things during my afternoon off, all of which I haven't been able to shake since. Since journaling has always helped me let go of issues I'm thinking a bit too much about, I thought I'd follow the same protocol in this instance by jotting down all of the pieces I witnessed that are currently taking up space in my head below. Fingers crossed that by sharing them with all of you, I might be able to resist the urge to add every last one into my spring wardrobe.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

Red is hot right now, so naturally, when I spotted these two pairs of classic Birkenstocks in the shade at Nordstrom, I all but ran to them to try them on.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

Khaite's new store on Mercer Street in SoHo is like walking into the most luxurious and tempting museum ever built. The first items on my wish list from the experience? These belts.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

Give me a strapless LBD with sheer details, and I'll be the happiest girl in the city, especially when I don't have to spend more than $200 on it.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

Tory Burch's red Lee Radziwill Cat Eye bag has been living rent free in my brain ever since I first spotted it online. Now that I've seen it IRL, any hope of me resisting the urge to buy it has gone out the window.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

When I tell you I was drawn to this exaggerated-collar shirt from The Row while perusing Nordstrom, I'm not kidding. For real, it called out to me, begging me to layer it in a million different ways.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

Pink really isn't my color, but something about this textured tube top from COS is making me rethink my former thoughts on the color.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

There's nothing more satisfying than ticking off two trends with one purchase, which is why finding these metallic ballet flats at Zara (both of which are under $100) felt like such a win.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

If I won the lottery today, the first item I'd buy would be this bright-red, purposely wrinkled velvet blazer from Interior. It's genuinely the most perfect item I've seen this season.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

Clutches were all over the fall 2023 runways, putting them at the very top of my current wish lists.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

I'm a sucker for a slip dress. Versatile, pretty, and perfect for every season if styled correctly, it's no wonder the silhouette is such a popular one. For spring, I'm eyeing this off-white, wide-strap option from Zara, which is $60 but looks $600.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

Tory Burch's recent collections have a hold over me. And since wedges are similarly a weakness of mine lately, I beelined toward these gorgeous, aquamarine-colored wedges at the brand's SoHo store and immediately fell head over heels for them.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

I swear, balloon-shaped, tapered jeans are all anyone I know in fashion is talking about lately, myself included. This Toteme pair ticks off two trends in one given its dark wash. Run, don't walk to Nordstrom to snag a pair.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

This dress is just wow. It was featured in Simkhai's spring campaign, so I knew from the photos that it looked beautiful on, but it wasn't until I saw it in person that I really got the full effect.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm belt obsessed, especially when they have fun details like interesting colors or oblong buckles.

Photo:

@elizagracehuber

If I ever decide that I want to get married on a beach, I'm buying this dress. I might even buy it in the off chance that someday I come to this conclusion and then it's sold out forever.