Best of New York 2009 • Shopping

• Mint Julep

  173 Ludlow St., nr. Houston St.; 212-533-9904

  Mint Julep owners Brooke Garber and Stephanie Nist pack their narrow Lower East Side boutique with a swishy array of all-occasion dresses that range from T-shirt styles by LA Made ($50) to striped dress from Shoshanna ($346) that’s right for a summer wedding, with most items no higher than the $100 mark. There are day-to-night designs by labels like Plenty by Tracy Reese, BCBGeneration, Tibi, Kensie, and Beth Bowley. The mix ranges from flouncy floral prints to sleek, curve-hugging numbers in black and charcoal gray. Garber and Nist pick a handful of pieces from each line and order only three or four of each, so you won’t see your dress on a girl across the bar.

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