• Best Bags

  What's in her closet:

  Barneys New York

  660 Madison Avenue, at 61st St.; 212-450-8699

  Barneys carries the world’s coolest labels—Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Fendi, and Goyard, the French luggage company. Pick a bag—any bag. You can’t go wrong. The house brand offers great style for less ($275 for a shoulder bag).

• And what's in his:

  Jack Spade

  56 Greene Street, 212-625-1820

  In the world of hip-this-instant brands, Barneys is exceptionally vigilant. Labels currently include Seven, Habitual, Marc Jacobs, Welkin, Paper Denim & Cloth, and the three J’s (Juicy, Joe’s, Joie). And odds are, deals are in the works with brands that don’t even exist. Yet. $100–$250.

• Best Dress Up

  What's in her closet:

  Henri Bendel

  712 Fifth Avenue, at 56th St,; 212-247-1100

  Entire boutiques for party gals Catherine Malandrino and Diane von Furstenberg set the tone in this store, which also lavishes attention on emerging talents (Rick Owens, Luisa Beccaria). Mother-daughter shopping at its most festive.

• And what's in his:

  Paul Smith

  108 Fifth Avenue, at 16th St.; 212-627-9770

  The men’s clothes here are mostly classic in cut—stove-pipe trousers (from $200) and button-front shirts (from $200). The fabulous colors—from the signature stripe to cashmere in rainbow hues—are what make them stand out.

• Best Shoes

  What's in her closet:

  Jeffrey New York

  449 West 14th Street, 212-206-1272

  Both men and women find high-end shoe heaven in the meatpacking district. While Jeffrey’s selection is not exactly cheap, it is all but guaranteed to deliver a fast fashion fix. The women’s section is stocked with everything from Manolo to Marni, Prada to Pucci, and plenty of Miss Trish of Capri.

• And what's in his:

  Paul Smith

  108 Fifth Ave., 212-627-9770

  Men—fashion-obsessed or not—will find something to love from a selection that includes sandals, lace-ups, boots, and everything else from Miu Miu, Gucci, Gianni Barbato, and many other top designers. The store also stocks a huge range of sizes, and staff will happily special order that pair of Dries Van Noten slingbacks in a size 11 if they don’t happen to have it on hand.

• Best Swimsuits

  What's in her closet:

  Saks Fifth Avenue

  611 Fifth Avenue, at 49th St.; 212-753-4000

  Whether you’re looking for something with a little coverage, or something with very little coverage, you’ll find it in Saks’ eighth-floor swimwear department, which swells seasonally to accommodate classics like Anne Cole and Calvin Klein plus styles from Burberry, Missoni, and Celine with a little more va-va-voom. Suits are $95 to $300.

• And what's in his:

  Vilebrequin

  436 West Broadway, 212-431-0673
  1070 Madison Avenue, at 81st St.; 212-650-0353

  These French trunks offer both modesty (lengths from mid-thigh through knee) and flamboyance (solid colors, sure, but the store is best known for pastel seahorses, kiwis, and surfer-boy hibiscus). Matching versions for boys, too. Suits are $100 to $130

• Best Loungewear

  What's in her closet:

  Le Corset by Selima

  80 Thompson Street, 212-334-4936

  At this tiny, powdery boutique, you’ll find oodles of bright caftans ($325), pajamas ($150 and up), and dreamy vintage teddies. Loungewear at its seductive best.

• And what's in his:

  Brooks Brothers

  666 Fifth Avenue, at 53rd St.; 212-261-9440

  Most guys we know don’t wear pajamas, but the well-dressed man should at least own a pair of broadcloth p.j.’s ($70) from Brooks Brothers. Worn by their rightful owner, or his girlfriend, they’re a classic.

From the 2004 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine