During the holiday season, shoppers and tourists from all over the world flock to New York City to experience its reported magic. While the city certainly puts on a show year round with its larger-than-life divisions of national retailers, its true extravagance is unleashed during the holidays. Department store windows become so elaborate that travel websites suggest viewing them as a tourist activity. Retailers even account for these gawkers, and erect guardrails for viewers to line up against and direct traffic away from the busy streets. Now, just because you’re Stern student who lives in New York City, don’t think that its enchantment has worn off: you’d be remiss to not take a stroll up Fifth Avenue this year to do some serious window-shopping. And the best part of this endeavor? It’s free! Read on to learn about the best window-shopping experiences in the city this year. As a side note, this field trip is most magnificent at night.
During the holiday season, shoppers and tourists from all over the world flock to New York City to experience its reported magic. While the city certainly puts on a show year round with its larger-than-life divisions of national retailers, its true extravagance is unleashed during the holidays. Department store windows become so elaborate that travel websites suggest viewing them as a tourist activity. Retailers even account for these gawkers, and erect guardrails for viewers to line up against and direct traffic away from the busy streets. Now, just because you’re Stern student who lives in New York City, don’t think that its enchantment has worn off: you’d be remiss to not take a stroll up Fifth Avenue this year to do some serious window-shopping. And the best part of this endeavor? It’s free! Read on to learn about the best window-shopping experiences in the city this year. As a side note, this field trip is most magnificent at night. Lord and Taylor (between 38th and 39th streets)
This is where the window-shopping journey begins. Lord and Taylor’s displays are traditional and refined. Large, flat sketches of Santa and his entourage move mechanically to create a storybook effect. While somewhat understated, the sceneries are timeless—perhaps a nod to Lord and Taylor’s targeted customer and her sense of style.
Saks Fifth Avenue (between 48th and 49th streets)
At Saks, the exhibition becomes much more elaborate and modern. There are two parts to Saks’ display, both equally impressive. Half of the windows focus on fashion: mannequins dressed in Oscar de La Rente, Versace, and Jimmy Choo wear embellished velvet, sparkling under chilly blue lighting and dazzling against faux-snow. Each display also has a backdrop that outlines the blueprint of a snowflake. Now turn the corner of the block and experience something more whimsical—the tale of the #SaksYeti. A huge, fluffy, white creature takes over the other side of the building’s display, with his story printed on the windows for shoppers to follow. His adventures include scaling the Saks building and sailing the East River. Saks is even selling smaller versions of the yeti and his accompanying storybook.
A Potpourri of Shops In Between
Before heading to the next big department store, don’t forget to pay attention to the smaller shops between 49th and 57th streets that also boast magnificent window displays. Juicy Couture’s giant, pink and gold storefront features white palm trees and mannequins dressed in black and pink; tropical scenery is juxtaposed to the other snowy windows. Salvatore Ferragamo presents ties on chrome jungle animals seen through holes in the all-black windows. Fendi takes an avant-garde approach by stacking furry, boxy creatures with angry eyes in its display and clinging their LED counterparts to the building. BVLGARI drapes a giant LED insect across its store that looks like it’s made of diamonds and rubies. One of the most entertaining displays, though, is Henri Bendel. This retailer has created a tribute to illustrator Al Hirschfeld with three-dimensional caricatures of stars such as Whoopi Goldberg, Audrey Hepburn, Matthew Broderick, and Woody Allen engaged in a hilarious holiday soirée.
Bergdorf Goodman (between 57th and 58th streets, near Grand Army Plaza)
These windows probably attract the most attention. If you want to get a good look at Bergdorf’s luxury fashion fantasyland, you’ll have to fight past tourists who struggle to take in every glittering detail. The theme at Bergdorf’s this year is Holidays on Ice—everything from Christmas, Valentines Day, Fourth of July, and Halloween is featured. Bergdorf’s probably has the most intricate displays that truly transport the viewer into a different world. Each window also features intricate gowns by designers like Alexander McQueen to compliment the scenery. There are even smaller insets between the larger windows to showcase accessories and other “holidays” like Groundhog Day.
Bloomingdale’s (Lexington Avenue between 59th and 60th streets)
While not on the Fifth Avenue route, Bloomingdale’s is well worth the extra trek. The store’s glowing displays are featured in the Women’s Wear Daily article, “New York Holiday Windows Go High Tech.” The theme is “All Wrapped Up,” and each window features a wrapped present containing a gift from a different country. Everywhere from China to France to Italy is represented with glittering recreations of the country’s landmarks.
So there you have it. It really is that easy (and free) to experience some holiday magic in New York City right now. This Thursday night, consider bringing a friend, taking a trip along Fifth Avenue (with a short skip over to Lex) and really taking in the City of Neon and Chrome.