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Lolita-chan in New York City

So alyxgardensale suggested that we all try to compile shopping guides for major cities. I volunteered to do New York City, since I was born and raised here. EDIT: This is a clothing-only guide for now. Dining and other miscellanea will be re-added in future with a much more comprehensive list.



1) Kinokuniya, 10 W. 49th st. This Japanese chain bookstore is your basic shop in NYC for buying your Gothic & Lolita Bible, KERA, and other jfash magazines. They also now stock Baby, the Stars Shine Bright dresses, skirts, bonnets (and an Alice bow or two), and shoes. If you walk in and don't see it anywhere, the store has likely sent it to a con, so PLEASE do not be alarmed and/or start spamming egl with the "bad news."

The number is (212) 765-7766. Because Kinokuniya is in the middle of Rockefeller Center, your best bet to not confuse yourself is to take the B, D, F, V to 47th-50th Rockefeller, and take the 49th st exit. Don't try to navigate the underground maze of the McGraw-Hill building to get to 5th avenue; walk there yourself above ground.


2) Gothic Renaissance, 104 4th ave. Good petticoats, if not much else. There are a couple occasional finds here. (Take no notice of the staff's ridiculous names for themselves.)

The number is (212) 780-9554. To get there, take the N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6 to 14th street, walk to the left (north) side of the block with the Virgin Megastore on it, and start walking east. Around 12th st (I think? Keep walking if I'm wrong, you still won't miss it), you'll find the store, a couple stores away from the gigantamous Halloween Adventure, which has nothing for you unless you want red glittery 6 inch heels. Ahem.


3) Trash & Vaudeville, 4 Saint Marks Place. The obvious answer to every alternwear need in New York. Trash & Vaudeville has been a staple in punk (and other) wear for decades, and its manager, Jimmy, has appeared in KERAMANIAX several times, and even New York magazine as the official representative of 80s punk. There are two floors to consider, here. Downstairs, they stock Emily the Strange, CBGBs t-shirts (and babywear), and most importantly, shoes. They stock TUK and Irregular Choice, both good choices for lolitas. Check the sale section. Most of it is so strange you can see why it didn't sell, but when you do find that gem, it's very cheap and very good. Upstairs is almost completely their own brand, Tripp NYC. This is not the horrid quality you expect to find at Hot Topic--this is the real stuff, not cheaply manufactured by Hot Topic's factories. Here you can find of interest petticoats, adorable cardigans, cute bags and umbrellas (picture a black umbrella with light pink music bars, for instance), and by the front, cute socks that are yes, loliable, and TAPE! Music note packing tape in pink or black and two different widths, haha. Jimmy is very partial to lolitas, by the way. Don't be surprised if you get complimented at least once!

The number is (212) 982-3590. To get there, take the N, R, W or the 6 to 8th street, and whichever train you take, simply start walking east until you hit St. Marks Place. This store is not easy to miss, with a big pink flag flying overhead emblazoned with its logo, but fyi, it's closer to 3rd avenue.

4) 8th Street Lab, 69 E. 8th st. The Lab is more of a ravershop than lolita, but despite that, it never hurts to go in here. Very often you'll be surprised with what you might find, and since raver fashion is sort of anything-goes, there's a very good chance you will find something. The staff here makes you feel right at home for the most part, so shop happily. Be sure to visit the back of the store, past the dressing rooms, for oddly cute things, and there's a shelf just next to the dressing room stacked with t-shirts that could be used for casual lolita looks. Look out for a t-shirt with a white Angelic Pretty logo screened on it! It's definitely something to see, if not buy.

The number is (212) 228-9657. To get there, take the N, R, W to 8th street, and if you don't come out on the corner with the pizza place on it, cross the street to get there, then head west a bit. The store has a gumball thing in front of it, so it's hard to miss even from a distance.

5) H&M, various locations. H&M is a Sweden-based, European mega chainstore that has been imported into New York, and by now other cities around the US. For the most part, H&M is meant to be the IKEA of clothing. Especially during the fall and winter, there are very good finds; I've found several good, well-priced Lolita items here, including two dresses and COUNTLESS accessories. They have various blouses that could easily be incorporated into your wardrobe. Whatever you're looking for, H&M is a lot of fun. The sizing mostly runs true, and the quality isn't bad, except for hook-and-eye closures that never seem to be completely secured. A little sewing at home will fix that, though. Check the children's section for the cutest of accessories, and if you're small enough, the tights!

There are many, many, many locations for this store in the city, but the best one by far, I've found, is on 51st st and 5th ave. The number for this location is (212) 489-0390, and to get there, take the E to 53rd/5th ave, and walk down two blocks. There's also a pretty good one on 34th st and 7th ave.

6) Forever 21, 50 W 34th st. Not for anybody over a size 10, but full of adorableness. Even their blazers this spring are cropped with short puffed sleeves and rounded collars, perfect for keeping warm against spring chills. The quality of materials varies from piece to piece, but they seem to be big on eyelet lace as of late, resulting in many cute blouses. Check their shoe section, which can be hit or miss, and definitely do NOT miss out on their accessories section. There's also a smaller branch in Union Square, next to DSW.

The number is (212) 564-2346. To get there, take the B, D, F, V, N, R, Q, W to 34th. Take the 34th st exit; whatever corner you emerge from, you'll be able to see it thanks to the huge "21" sign in their second-story window.


7) Love Saves the Day, 119 2nd ave. Lots of kitschy vintage stuff and good deals; metalloid_queen once found a white shirt with ruffled cuffs and a jabot for $12, and I adore the metal lunch boxes. Don't be put off by the warning signs by the door.

The number is (212) 228-3802. To get there, follow the directions for Trash & Vaudeville, but walk past T&V down to 2nd ave, and turn right at the corner to 7th street. Just for a landmark, you should walk past a small store called "Pommes Frites" with some metal stools outside it. Not that Love Saves the Day doesn't stand out anyway; the awning makes it look like a children's store.


8) Daffy's, 125 E 57th St. Daffy's is a mishmash of European designers you've never heard of in so many different styles that you're bound to find something EGL, EGA, or at the very least loliable in here. You can spend an hour or two in the basement and have a blast.

The number is (212) 376-4477. To get there, take the A, C, B, D, 1 to 59th st, and take the 57th st exit (that is, try to stay away from the 60th st/Columbus circle exit, and head toward the main turnstiles. From there, there will be a veeeery long hallway. At the end of the hall way {END!} you want to take the first exit on your left. That will leave you a couple steps away from Daffy's front door!). Or you can take the N, Q, R, W to 57th st/7th ave, and walk west an avenue.



Last updated: March 9th 2007