WHERE TO SHOP ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE SIX HIP STORES WITH THE LATEST IN HATS, SNEAKERS, JEANS, AND MORE.

A few years ago the Lower East Side of Manhattan seemed destined to go the way of every other up-and-coming New York neighborhood. First a micro coffee brewer opens shop, and then Marc Jacobs comes knocking—giving mass-market retailers the green light to pounce with 10,000-square-foot megastores. Fortunately, that never happened. Tenements that housed immigrants at the beginning of the last century still stand, as do bargain outlets along Orchard Street. The hipster sneaker stores are still going strong, but now there's a new crop of sophisticated boutiques geared toward adults (the successful, downtown kind). You may not recognize the labels—many of these stores carry collections found only in Paris, Berlin, and Tokyo—but you'll instantly recognize the style.

1. Dear Rivington +

Williamsburg antiques dealers Moon Rhee and Heyja Do had their eyes on this split-level loft for years before finally moving in early this fall. In addition to Dear's own line of drapey jersey T-shirts and drop-crotch pants, the store carries retro Comme des Garçons and Yohji Yamamoto. Plucky curiosities, like throw pillows covered in vintage muslin bank bags and Hugo Guinness prints, make the gallery feel like your grandmother's attic—if your grandmother had incredibly good taste. 95 Rivington St., 212-673-3494; dearrivington.com

2. Still Life
Creative director and owner Frenel Morris produces Still Life's first-class fedoras and downtown wool caps in his own millinery in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood. An on-site seamstress guarantees that each handcrafted hat fits your dome perfectly

3. Assembly
The store's resident pet, a green parakeet named Sweet Pea, might wander into your fitting room. But that's part of Assembly's laid-back charm, which is reflected in a lineup of worn vintage tees and cutting-edge collections like Henrik Vibskov, Rachel Comey, and Alexander Yamaguchi, who produces some of the most impressive French-terry-cloth hoodies this side of St. Tropez. This fall, Assembly launches its own line of chambray blazers and washed-cotton shirts. 174 Ludlow St., 212-253-5393; assemblynewyork.com

4. No. 8b
Partners Brian Janusiak and Elizabeth Beer have an uncommon knack for spotting obscure treasure, which makes their first men's store—an extension of their successful women's outlet—a place that warrants repeat visits. After perusing racks of Stephan Schneider shirts, Kostas Murkurdis suits, and Fabric Interseason knits, you'll want to update your list of favorite brands. If the prices seem prohibitive, you can always dig into the shop's mix of oddly beautiful Kaweco ink ball pens and Schiesser briefs. 38 Orchard St., 212-925-5599; projectno8.com

5. FAE (First Among Equals)
Steven Taranto is an Italian-American from New Jersey whose aesthetic is more Left Bank than bridge-and-tunnel. And his shop, FAE, is the better for it. Michel Berandi washed-leather jackets and Buttero combat boots have real backbone. Less imposing fare includes long, slinky tanks and surplus cotton trench coats. 177 Orchard St., 212-253-2202;firstamongequalsnyc.com

6. Self Edge
East Coast denim freaks no longer have to fly to San Francisco to worship at the Self Edge temple: The cult destination has finally opened a second shop—this one in New York. Brands like Iron Heart, Sugar Cane and Co., Dry Bones, and Imperial Denim are surrounded by Persian rugs, hardwood floors, and a rich armoire, which give the room a gentleman's-study feel. Bonus: Self Edge will shorten your jeans on its vintage Union Special chain-stitching machine, which maintains the authentic roped hem. 157 Orchard St., 212-388-0079; selfedge.com