VIBE

When Horace Saks and Bernard Gimbel decided to open a department store in 1924, they ambitiously set out to create the most refined, luxurious shopping experience in town. Within months of opening, their elegant Fifth Avenue premises−which were stocked with a taste-making selection of imported luxury goods−became one of the most fashionable hangouts for the city’s upper crust, and they remain so today. Innovative retail concepts, like the adding mini-boutiques for top designers (à la Chanel and Prada) within the store and mixing the highest-end offerings with more accessible brands (like Marc by Marc Jacobs and Juicy Couture), have helped keep Saks at the forefront of luxury retail for close to a century.

USE A PURCHASE FROM HERE FOR

A special occasion get-up; haute accessorizing; casual designer wear; bridal wear

WHY WE LIKE IT

It’s an experience. The decadent Art Moderne interiors, the gracious service, the genteel clientele…all of it makes Saks a unique New York shopping destination. The shoe selection is one of the best in the city (the footwear department is so big it even has its own zip code at 10022-SHOE!), and we love the World of Denim on Five and the designer dresses on Three. With men’s, children’s, and home departments all housed inside this 10-story haven, Saks makes for a (admittedly very pricey) one-stop-shop for all of our fashion needs. And the window displays are pretty spectacular, especially around the holidays.

GOOD TO KNOW

The eighth floor Café SFA is a popular spot for an elegant lunch (we love taking a break to grab a sandwich and soup), and Snaks on 5 offers lighter bites. Other amenities on site include a beauty salon and spa, personal shopping services (called The Fifth Avenue Club), a fur salon, and a plus-size boutique called Salon Z. There’s also a great bridal department, but you’ll need to make an appointment if you’d like to try on gowns. The store is a tourist favorite (i.e., crowded), but the higher you climb (as you move up the floors), the more the crowds tend to subside.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Riyadh; Dubai; Mexico City; Bahrain; Palm Beach, FL; 50+ other locations across the US

CLOSEST COMPS

Bergdorf Goodman (New York); Harvey Nichols (London)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.