(Photo: Kenneth Chen)

Let’s say you are a man in need of a makeover. You could spend a week hopping from boutique to boutique—maybe in an SUV, accompanied by a group of five style-obsessed guys spouting double entendres. Or you could do it with just one elevator ride, to Saks Fifth Avenue’s seventh floor (611 Fifth Avenue, at 49th Street; 212-753-4000). There are enough designer shops under one roof here (Polo Ralph Lauren, John Varvatos, Costume National, Gucci, Paul Smith, Dolce & Gabbana, Y3, D Squared, and close to a dozen more) to renovate nearly anyone from head to toe—sweaters to suits, shoes to sunglasses, belts to bags, even a bit of jewelry. Best of all, the staff seems uncommonly good at figuring out when you’re desperate for a bit of gentle Queer Eye–style assistance—and when you don’t need a hand at all. If you’re nice, they’ll even offer refreshments while you shop.

Related:

• Archive: “Best of New York Weekly”
• Articles by Rima Suqi
• Table of Contents: Dec 15, 2003 issue of New York | Subscribe!