Fashion & Beauty

22 fashionable things to do in NYC

1. SPEND A DAY PLAYING WITH MERLIN

Merlin is a 1 1/2-year-old English angora bunny who lives in the NoLIta boutique Condor. Fluffy and friendly, he roams freely throughout the store, having built a following with loyal customers, who often drop by with bananas, carrots and kale! And while you can’t take him home, you can score goods such as We Are Handsome swimwear, Pendleton blankets and always-hip Linda Farrow sunglasses.

2. ORDER A CUSTOM SHOE FROM MANOLO BLAHNIK

Nothing beats a designer shoe — other than a designer shoe custom-made for you. Shoe god Manolo Blahnik is on the case, and for a 20 percent special-order fee, shoe-a-holics can build a personalized version, choosing features like the heel height and shape, colors, and even the materials. (The latter two can be chosen from a swatch book.) After a three-to four-month wait, it’s a dream come shoe.

3. SHOP TILL YOU DROP AT FASHION’S NIGHT OUT

Fashion’s biggest shopping night means big sales, free gifts with purchase and sometimes even free-flowing bubbly. Last year’s highlights at the September extravaganza included Alexa Chung DJ-ing at Moschino, a karaoke contest judged by Michael Kors and “Girls” star Allison Williams hosting a cocktail fête at DVF. The possibilities of elbow-rubbing with your favorite fashion star — while on the hunt for the perfect red lipstick — are endless.

4. HAVE BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S

If you’ve seen the movie, you know the drill. Take a cue from the 1961 classic, and work your inner socialite at sunrise while decked out in your most glamorous black dress, pearls and Oliver Goldsmith shades. Tiara, croissants and coffee a must. Go on, get your Audrey on. Then Instagram your morning triumph.

5. HAVE YOUR HAIR COLORED BY RITA HAZAN

With over a decade of experience, a client list that includes big names like Katy Perry and Jennifer Lopez, and top notch hair products, you can’t go wrong with this luxe Midtown salon, which will give you a basic color for $110. Better yet, you can actually make an appointment with Rita and get that full service attention just like the celebrities do, starting at $250.

6. GET A MASSAGE AT THE CARLYLE

Sure you can go home after a long day and sip a glass of wine or pop into a Brookstone to sneak a chair massage for some relaxation — or you can treat yourself to a Signature Massage at Sense Spa at The Carlyle. From an exclusive Sisley rubdown with aromatic breathing exercises set to a shiatsu ritual, you’ll probably feel relaxed by just reading this.

7. BRAVE THE BARNEYSWAREHOUSE SALE

If you’re going to battle for fashion, why not do it for the bragging rights of having paid next to nothing for stilettos that were once wildly overpriced? Hit Barneys on the very last day of their famous annual sale in Fall (last year it closed on September 4) and Spring (when it closed March 4), and be sure to come out with at least one prize possession and a scratch or two.

8. TRY ON JEWELRY AT HENRI BENDEL

If serious costume jewelry is your thing, Bendel’s offers eye candy galore. With elaborately styled selections of gems, handbags and sunglasses, fashionistas will be hard-pressed to zero in on a favorite. (We recommend you head to the second floor, where pretty things from Pamela Love, Shourouk and Tom Binns await.) For the girl with a headpiece fetish: There’s an entire room devoted to flower crowns, feather fascinators and crystal-encrusted tiaras.

9. GET YOUR NAILS DONE AT JIN SOON

Every NYC girl needs a perfect manicure, and, with multiple locations and her own line of polishes, Jin Soon Choi offers just that. Working regularly with top fashion magazines (Vogue and InStyle) designers (Prabal Gurung and Oscar de la Renta) and celebrity clients (Anne Hathaway and Beyoncé), Jin has her finger on the pulse of the latest nail art. We adore her signature shape: squared off with rounded edges. Super stylish from just $18.

10. DO SERIOUS SOLE SEARCHING AT BERGDORF’S

The second-floor shoe salon at Bergdorf Goodman is what a shoe fiend imagines when she thinks of heaven: rows upon rows of beautifully designed shoes that literally shine, partly due to the overwhelming selection of Swarovski-embellished Christian Louboutins. With an army of helpful salespeople standing by, the salon is fully stocked with off-the-runway — read: impossible to find — styles from Prada, Dries van Noten, Miu Miu and more.

11. GO ON A SPREE AT PAS DE DEUX

Pas de Deux is the epitome of an East Village gem. Though it’s itty-bitty in size, it maximizes its stock of stylish must-haves. It’s easy to get lost in tightly edited racks with wares from Carven, Richard Chai Love and Boy by Band of Outsiders. Don’t overlook the amazing shoe selection, either. Those Isabel Marant Bobby sneakers? Snag a pair before they’re gone.

12. GET A FACIAL AT THE WALDORF

The city’s ultimate indulgence is the Orchidée Impériale Prestige Facial at the Guerlain Spa inside the Waldorf Astoria Towers. Using three different masks and massage techniques, the 140-minute customized facial is the ultimate treat for your face, not to mention mind. A big plus: all the extra little luxuries, from choosing your favorite drink to sip on (Champagne, anyone?) to having your shoes shined or clothing pressed: It’s all included in the $475 tab.

13. LOUNGE IN ALEXANDER WANG’S FOX-FUR HAMMOCK

Carrie Bradshaw once referred to shopping as her “cardio.” Had the Alexander Wang boutique existed during her heyday (it opened in 2011), New York City’s most ubiquitous fashion gal most certainly would’ve kicked up her high heels and cooled down at the store’s foxy hammock.

14. GET RETRO AT RESURRECTION

For hard-core vintage hunters, Resurrection is the promised land. Since opening its doors in 1996, founders Katy Rodriguez and Mark Haddawy — who specialize in luxury ready-to-wear and accessories from 1960 to 1980 — have mastered the art of immaculate presentation. On the hunt for collectibles from Hermès and Dolce & Gabbana? Take your pick. Die-hard Chanel-ites are sure to score, as the boutique carries a most impressive collection. A Chanel purse as necklace? Yes, please!

15. HIRE A PERSONAL SHOPPING ASSISTANT AT BLOOMINGDALE’S

If you’re feeling fancy — and you really don’t want to sort through all those racks of blue jeans — why not? Bloomie’s offers personal shoppers for her and him at the 59th Street flagship, like Ivy Booksin (left). They’ll handle everything from pre-selecting goods to peruse (in a private setting) to gift-wrapping. It’s the ultimate shopping shortcut; and complimentary, to boot.

MEN’S STYLE

16. GET A STREET SHOESHINE FROM DON WARD

When you imagine a brash New Yorker drumming up business on a sidewalk, Don Ward is the guy in your dreams. Right on the corner of Sixth Avenue and 47th Street, he’s a constant stream of conversation, come-ons and outright bluster. “If you want to save money, go to Geico. If you want to save your shoes, get on the chair!” It’s the best deal in NYC: a shoe shine and a show for just three bucks.

17. HAVE A STYLE CONSULTATION WITH JIMMY AT TRASH & VAUDEVILLE

Jimmy Webb is an East Village legend — he’s been on the sales team here since 1998 — and has many an honest opinion on everything from biker jackets to studded combat boots. Stop by Trash to channel the spirit of rebellious youth. (Or at least look like you do. On the weekend.)

18. GET FITTED FOR A CUSTOM SHIRT AT 20 PEACOCKS

You’ll feel like a properly primped gent when you handpick everything, right down to the thread color, at this Lower East Side boutique. Custom-cut shirts start at $95; matching tie and pocket square optional.

19. BUY AN NYC MAN BAG

Whether it’s a new school satchel or boyish backpack, schlepping around the city with too much stuff has never looked better. Try Jack Spade on Bleecker Street for carryalls to keep your cellphones, tablets and Knicks tickets safe and sound. You know the thrill women get when buying a handbag? This is the dude version.

20. GET YOURSELF A BESPOKE SUIT

Fitted in-store and fine-tuned in Asia (to keep the cost low), suits tailored at Michael Andrews Bespoke in NoLIta feature fine materials and craftsmanship for a sartorial steal. Prices start at $995.

21. TAKE A SCHVITZ AT THE RUSSIAN & TURKISH BATHS

Russell Simmons says:

“I’ve brought everybody here, from Puffy to Walter Yetnikoff, who used to run Columbia. I took [ex-wife] Kimora [Lee Simmons] there when we first started dating. She thought it was dirty and never went back. I’ve taken other dates there. Some like it. Probably the girls who like yoga would be OK in the bathhouse. I took Puffy, and he got addicted.”

22. FIND THE PERFECT PAIR OF JEANS AT BROOKLYN DENIM CO.

This specialty shop in Williamsburg boasts 20-plus denim brands and a friendly-but-not-too-friendly staff that knows not everyone was made to squeeze into skinny jeans.

—Additional reporting by Johannah Masters