NEW YORK

If you’re in New York, you are in serious trouble. The city has a lot to offer. So before you get overwhelmed by all the names and places I’d say pull out your diary and make a list of the shopping havens in NY…
Saks Fifth Avenue
Located on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, Saks is your answer to luxury shopping. From Lanvin to Helmut Lang to Acqua Di Parma, you name it and they have it! If you are looking for that Chloe ‘Faye’ bag, be rest assured to find it right under this roof.
Macy’s
If you’re looking for mid range to high street fashion, I’d say this is the place you don’t want to miss out on. Insane offers, genuine discounts and a happy heart. I learnt of some really cool brands when I walked into Macy’s for the very first time. Some of my favourite brands to shop from would be Bar III , Free people , INC International Concepts, Laundry by Design and Vince Camuto.
Bloomingdales
For all those beach bums, take the first opportunity to stock up your bikinis, tankinis and cover ups. In Bloomingdales you will find some of the most exotic, sexy and gorgeous swimwear. Oh, and we all love a smart pair of fitted jeans don’t we? Hence, walking out without picking a pair of jeans (True Religion, 7 for All Mankind , AG Jeans) would be injustice to Bloomingdales. Make sure your big brown bag carries badass skinnys.
Warning: Making a choice might make you want to pull your hair out.
Chelsea Farmers Market
Spare a quarter of a day to go visit the Chelsea Farmers Market. Grab yourself an orgasmic chocolate brownie from The Fat Witch Bakery and while you savour it, walk straight into Anthropologie. This is a place to find some exotically curated apparel, jewelry and accessories like scarves and head gear. Another shopping paradise you could visit is Urban Outfitters. If you have an affinity for vintage or hipster/ bohemian outfits, this is a place to check out.
ISTANBUL

Istanbul is love at first sight. The rich Turkish culture, the gregarious people and delectable food made it an outright experience for me back when I visited. Oh and shopping in Istanbul can be so much fun. Here’s where you need to go…
Grand bazaar and Spice market
This one’s a must. You can buy some genuine high quality hand painted ceramics and tiles. You can also find the most exotic spices and herbal teas there. Don’t forget to stop by at the entrance of the Grand Bazaar for some durable handmade genuine leather gladiator sandals. Mine have lasted me over 4 years now. The good news is that you can bargain at the bazaar.
Nisantasi
Nisantasi is an upper income neighborhood beyond Taksim Square. It is the shopping hub for Turkish designers like Gonul Paksoy and myriad appealing small shops and cafes.
Istiklal
Istiklal Caddessi is a pedestrianized boulevard running from Taksim Square down to the Tunel neighborhood. Packed with shops, patisseries, restaurants, cafes, clubs, Istiklal is a great street to wander along with its numerous side streets. This is the place to find some cool high street Turkish brands. Mavi, Batik and Koton are some of the names of the stores here. One of my favourite stores has to be Flormar where you get amazing makeup and nail paints. Oh how much I miss being in that haven!
Istanbul Modern Art Museum
If you are a culture lover, this is the place to be. Many of the Istanbul Modern art works can be found reproduced in poster form in the Istanbul Modern Store. You will also find a wide range of design objects—from jewellery to home décor pieces that make unique gifts and souvenirs.
DUBAI

Every girl should visit Dubai for the variety of malls and stores you can find there. If you’re planning a visit anytime soon, the following are some of the must-visit spots.
The Dubai Mall and Mall Of Emirates
Get your dose of opulence here in the heart of Dubai. The shopping scene in Dubai is intriguing. If you’re a mall hopper then this will be paradise for you! The famous Dubai mall and Mall of Emirates are the biggest attractions in Dubai. From all your luxe designer brands to the popular high street names, they’re all here under one roof. Also do not miss out on some of the famous local design labels.
Dubai Festivals
Dubai is also famous for its many shopping festivals, which are worth a mention here. Thousands of shoppers from across the world come to attend the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). It kicks off every year in January and goes on for a month.
Deira Gold Souk
The Dubai Gold Souk is lined with hundreds of shops selling gold and some of the best bargains in the world can be found here. Leave plenty of time when visiting these souks as you will need to hop from shop to shop to see the variety available and to get the cheapest rates.
Souk Madinat
The narrow alleyways and the chillout courtyard boast of several shops and galleries. Shop for knick knacks in this beautifully designed architectural building.
Written by Jas Sagu on 15th Mar 2016