/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45421476/racked_placeholder.4.0.jpg)
Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
New York City has more stores than anyone could physically tackle, but somehow we always keep returning to the usual suspects. To break out of the rut, we've asked some of the city's shopping and fashion gurus to provide their hidden retail gems—those unique stores around our fantastic island (and beyond) that we might not all know about. Cue The Beatles: We're about to get a little help from our friends.
Image via Livedoor Blog
As the co-founder and creative director of the influential menswear tradeshow (capsule), as well as the owner of BPMW Agency, Minya Quirk definitely knows progressive men's fashions. Along with her two kick ass partners, she keeps the globe posted on what's hot, what's new, and what's next in the realm of men's (and women's) gear. But, that doesn't mean she doesn't like to deck her little tot out in the illest outfits. So, she heads over to Bit'z Kids, a shop that has the best in Japanese clothing for your little tykes....at affordable prices.
"Sure, working at the forefront of menswear means I like to dress my son Bodhi in a striped mariniere, selvedge denim and Lil' McNairys, but I have a longstanding love affair with all things kawaii...and I'm not gonna let the menswear minimalist moment drag me (or my boy) down. Who better to wear wonky, heavy-handed Japanese graphics (think all-over hamburger prints, glitter-dusted monsters and trippy '70s illustrations) than a toddler anyway, right? Bit'z Kids lets me get my fill of vintage athletic-inspired and grammatically-imperfect graphic tees, nautical sweat shorts, cozy jeggings in bright colors, tiny sweatshirts with toggle closures, slub henleys and all other sorts of awesomely off-kilter pieces that make my little stunner stand out in his nursery classroom."
"The merchandise is affordable (unlike another Japanese kid's shop in town) and markdowns mean I can go totally overboard while my son occupies himself in the shop's play area. Bit'z Kids also sells accessories (nylon-zippered pouch with teddy bear ears, anyone?), a few toys, tableware, tiny umbrellas, pajamas, and an infant collection. The colors and prints can be overwhelming all at once and the company's website is a little scary, but a little Bit'z goes a long way."—Yale Breslin
· Bit'z Kids [Official Site]
· BPMW Agency [Official Site]
· (capsule) Show [Official Site]