#babel fair

New store photos courtesy of Driely S. (www.peladopelado.com) and Racked.com //

Nolita: Loves cappuccino, hates San Gennaro. A perfect balance.

Nolita is one of the most romantic neighborhoods in the city. Tree-lined streets are filled with well-dressed people who sip cappuccinos at Gitane and talk loudly over partially-eaten meals at Habana. That magical little stretch from Houston down to Kenmare, nestled quietly between Lafayette and the Bowery is where you can often spot some of the world’s most influential people, like John Mayer and Olivia Palermo. But in all seriousness, the shopping destinations in Nolita are more unique, affordable, and filled with personality than the stuffy flagship-filled blocks of SoHo to the west. The retail staff are nicer than the shopgirls at Prada, but maintain a refinement that causes them to broodingly hate the tackiness and odor of San Gennaro. In other words, Nolita finds the perfect balance of the vibes going on below Houston and we are always looking for excuses to visit our favorite shops in the area. Check them out below.

Babel Fair 260 Elizabeth Street

This all-white showroom and boutique on Elizabeth Street is the perfect place to pick up brightly-colored, eye-catching pieces imported from places in the world you might have to wait years to visit on your own. Specializing in international brands, Babel Fair’s the kind of store where it’s easy to see everything, not cluttered or distracted, the empty space and large display tables make it easy to spot that special Japanese leather bag you’ve been searching for.

Condor 259 Elizabeth St

Condor boutique on Elizabeth is the kind of store you could build an entire wardrobe out of. Gretchen Jones NY blouses and Rodebjer dresses hang on the racks while Linda Farrow Sunglasses and Blamo toy figurines line the shelves. Stop by and ask for Merlin for an extra-special private shopping consultation. (Hint: he’s the long-haired rabbit that can often be found hopping across the floor.)

Dagny & Barstow 264 Bowery

After a brief stint as a pop-up in the Meatpacking, Dagny+Barstow opened a permanent space on the Bowery in February. Touches of neon green accent the desert-cool palate of the boutique that offers up high-level womenswear from designers like Kaelan and Timo Weiland. What was once Lenny Kravitz’ shag-lined club is now an homage to one of Ayn Rand’s characters in Atlas Shrugged, Dagny Taggart and one of the marked cities in Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing.

Only Hearts 230 Mott Street

Walking out of Only Hearts, the idea is that you can feel feminine and pretty from your undies all the way out. Without great lingerie, it’s hard to feel one hundred percent put together. This charming boutique is a lot more lace than leather, and carries everything from the tiniest thongs to dresses, tops, and bottoms that you can later overtop of your most important wardrobe pieces.

Poppy 281 Mott Street

Poppy is a Nolita stalwart with a loyal clientele that returns time and time again to find young, fresh and chic pieces from a mix of independent and high-level designers. After opening its doors in 2003, the pleasant one room boutique has continued to bring in a well-edited selection of pieces from labels like Wren, Elizabeth and James, and Tucker.

Love Adorned 269 Elizabeth Street

Perhaps the only jewelry shop that a person could ever need for a lifetime, Love Adorned is mystical and enchanting. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows let light shine through the crystals and bounce off the metal surfaces of some of the most interesting jewelry pieces you’ve ever seen in one place. Recently, inspired by friends’ travels and the interior spaces that dwell in unexpected corners of NY, the shop has begun to carry home and lifestyle objects as well. This is the place to make an investment in a one of a kind piece for the most important person in your life (i.e. yourself).

Lalesso from Kenya. Founded by two designers from Cape Town and inspired by the vibrant African Khanga, a traditional type of dress amongst East African women. Stunning!