Downtown’s Out—Uptown’s In: Come Shopping With Me at Kallmeyer, Khaite, and Toteme

Welcome to Let’s Get a Room, a series where editor Eliza Huber heads to the dressing room to try on pieces from your favorite retailers, buzzy items, and new collections. Think of this column as a detailed guide to the pieces that are actually worth buying and the ones that, unfortunately, looked better online—no returns necessary.

As a former downtown resident turned uptown convert, I have plenty of experience shopping in both Manhattan districts, including SoHo’s popular hub for both high and low storefronts and the Upper East Side’s low-key strip of luxury boutiques. Yes, SoHo has its perks—such as buzzy restaurants with great people-watching, increased store options (including those of the more affordable variety), and plenty of transportation options—but in my educated and experienced opinion, uptown’s shopping scene is far superior to downtown’s. Disagree? Well, sorry.

In recent years, a radius of 10 blocks on Madison Avenue has become a staple for sophisticated dressers with elite taste, spanning from 69th to 79th on the Upper East Side. Just a quick jaunt over from the park in the area between the Frick and the Met are three stores that, alone, make a trip uptown worth it. There are no crowds, lines to get in, or TikTokers stopping you to ask about your outfit. It’s quiet and elegant, and now, it’s home to some of fashion’s favorite labels, including Toteme, Khaite, and, most recently, Kallmeyer, Daniella Kallmeyer’s upscale brand that opened its second store in NYC at 1022 Madison Avenue on May 10.

Having just visited all three locations on a rainy Friday afternoon, I can say with absolute certainty that a perfect shopping day awaits anyone who follows suit. (The Row, Ralph Lauren, and The RealReal also live between 69th and 79th and make great additional stops.) My only other recommendations? Grab lunch at JG Melon, pop into Gagosian, and end the evening by snagging a seat at the bar at Bemelmans.

Ahead of your next trip uptown, scroll down to see what I tried on at all three stores, including a dreamy croc-embossed coat, skirt, and bag combo at Toteme and the exact leather blazer from Kallmeyer that Jennifer Lawrence was just spotted wearing.

Stockholm-based brand Toteme opened its first NYC boutique on Mercer Street in SoHo back in July of 2022, when that block especially was gaining stylish store after stylish store (including Alaïa, Staud, Simkhai, Kirna Zabête, Proenza Schouler, Khaite, and more). Clearly, there was a market for clean, modern, and chic garments, shoes, and handbags, because Toteme opened a second, uptown location on Madison Avenue during New York Fashion Week in September 2024. The 1600-square-foot shop on the corner of 69th and Madison is smaller than the SoHo location, but the design-forward space, to me, feels more like a gallery than a standard-issue storefront. The Upper East Side store was designed in partnership with the Swedish design studio Halleroed. Surrealism was the main point of inspiration, with a sculptural, red staircase taking up most of the first floor, spiraling up to a more product-focused second-level space. At the base of the steps is “Half Girl (left),” a polished bronze sculpture by the contemporary Swedish artist Anders Krisár, a nod to the brand’s heritage.

Visit Toteme at 829 Madison Avenue.

I can’t be the only person who gets antsy to try a runway look on the second it debuts on the catwalk. Sure, it looks beautiful on the model, surrounded by a curated show space that’s designed to light every ensemble perfectly and with intention. But how will it look on me? This is one such look I’ve been dying to get my hands on (and body into) ever since Toteme held its S/S 25 show in New York back in September. I was especially drawn to the croc-embossed coat, specifically, and when I saw that the same material also was manufactured into a skirt (and bag!), I knew I had to try them all on together. Too much? Never. All three more than held against my high expectations, but really, the tank top I styled underneath the coat was the true star of the show. Perfectly fitted and structured, it might just be my new favorite sleeveless top for summer.

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Sometimes, all it takes to make a great outfit is one piece. Hell, that’s why dresses exist. And this dress, in particular, is especially impactful; from the draping to the sheer fabric, everything about its design packs a punch. Sure, you can add a bag and jewelry, but you don’t need to in my experience. Find someone else to hold your things and let this buttery-soft, ethereal frock stand on its own. The only addition I brought to the table was this pair of sling-back pumps that do a fantastic job of holding your feet in place. No slippage means no blisters—remember that.

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I feel like I’ve been hearing about Toteme’s denim for years now, but hadn’t tried them on for myself, so I set out to use this store visit as an opportunity to finally see what all the hype was about. This pair of raw-denim jeans is already basically sold out at Net-a-Porter, so I knew they were good, but it wasn’t until I put them on that I grasped just how good they are. The fit is so elevated and sophisticated, two qualities that are only exacerbated by the raw, dark wash of the denim. These are definitely the type of jeans you can wear to a nice dinner or event without feeling underdressed. I needed something to wear underneath this pony-hair coat that’s been in my shopping cart for months, so I grabbed a silk tee that ended up being so luxurious and wonderful—nothing like a standard white cotton tee. The coat, of course, is a dream, and while it’s currently sold out online, there were a few sizes left in store, in case you happen to be hanging out on the UES.

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Kallmeyer

Not that anyone needed more proof that Kallmeyer has the best fans (and/or customers) in all of fashion, but if they did, the brand’s Upper East Side store opening party, or the “Café Kallmeyer Fête” as they’re calling it, was a prime example. Sports all stars like Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe were there, as well as Hollywood icons like Busy Phillips, Chloe Fineman, and Tommy Dorfman. Stylists, editors, and tastemakers alike showed up to celebrate over burgers, fries, and grilled cheeses, as well as dirty martinis and gelato. Naturally, everyone was dressed in Kallmeyer, specifically wearing pieces from the brand’s S/S 25 collection.

The store they were all there to see is located at 1022 Madison Avenue and was designed by Louis Rambert, who was inspired by elements of French modernism and American art-deco sensibility. The quaint space is welcoming, echoing the ethos of the brand, with soft textures and warm colors throughout. When I visited on a cold, rainy Friday morning, I left the terrible weather outside and walked into what I called at the time an oasis—a beautiful hiding space full of even more beautiful clothing, crafted out of suede, leather, and silk.

Visit Kallmeyer at 1022 Madison Avenue.

If you look at my Instagram or read my stories, you probably already know about my current plaid fixation, so naturally, when I stepped foot into Kallmeyer’s new store, I beelined toward this plaid shirt, which I’ve been eyeing for weeks. I love that it’s made of soft, billowy, and sheer voile, with chic French cuffs that differentiate it from the typical plaid shirt, often crafted out of flannel or linen. I styled it with a silk, knee-length skirt in an attempt to prove that you can dress up plaid—quite easily, in fact. To finish off this ensemble, I grabbed the Monroe Satchel in black suede, which I quickly found out fits a 13-inch laptop, making it a perfect work bag that no one has to know is a work bag.

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I actually already own this denim jacket—the cut is fantastic and it has a cool, subtle acid wash to it that I love—but I’ve been desperate to see what it looks like with the matching denim, and it didn’t disappoint. These are the kinds of jeans you can wear every single day. They’re straight with a mid-rise, and would look great with a white tee, blouse, or tank top, as well as styled as a whole look with the matching denim jacket. I also threw on this khaki field jacket that has gloriously large pockets in the front that add to its appeal. It’s great for spring and summer since it’s fairly lightweight, but could easily transition into fall with some intentional layering underneath.

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Ever since I saw Jennifer Lawrence wearing this leather blazer in the black color, I’ve been keen to try it on. The close-together buttons are beyond chic, a touch that makes blazers feel so fresh and different. It’s a piece you can wear again and again and always style it in a unique and elegant way.

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Underneath the above blazer, I wore the black top version of Kallmeyer’s viral turquoise draped dress, which my fellow WWW editor Ana Escalante tested out in the draped-dress category for The Great Try On. When I tell you the draping on it is perfect, I’m not exaggerating. Though I do love the turquoise color-way, black is, I think, more wearable, making it a better investment for someone like me who prefers neutrals. I styled it with one of Kallmeyer’s incredible belts and the Damian pants, which I have at home. They’re a perfect travel trouser because they’re made of a material that doesn’t wrinkle. They’re also super comfortable and easy to style around. Just note that they’re quite long, so prepare to either wear a tall heel, cuff them, or get them tailored.

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Khaite

After opening its U.S. flagship store in SoHo in March of 2023 on Mercer Street, Khaite’s creative director and founder, Catherine Holstein, came back for seconds, this time uptown. Once again, she partnered up with architect Griffin Frazen to bring the brand’s cool, edgy, and sophisticated aesthetic to life. The store, located at the corner of Madison Avenue and 69th Street (conveniently right across the street from Toteme), is a 2,000-square-foot fashion person’s dream, filled with It bags, shoes, and ready-to-wear items, from Khaite’s beloved denim to dresses, skirts, and more. Whereas red is the main color theme in the SoHo location, this uptown shop is largely colored in bronze, bringing a unique quality to the newer space and making a strong case for customers to check out both stores. Plus, the uptown location features one-of-a-kind pieces and a curated collection of vintage jewelry, selected by Vanessa de Viel Castel, Khaite’s style director.

Visit Khaite at 828 Madison Avenue.

Holstein has been playing around a lot with sheer, silk-organza pieces over the last few seasons, crafting dresses and separates out of the material that feel ethereal and angelic. I was immediately drawn to this skirt-and-camisole set (that also comes in ivory) as it brings a spring-y air to a somewhat dark and fall-winter color option. To keep with the all-black scheme, I added a pair of the Eva split-toe pumps—a fun and unique take on the growing peep-toe shoes trend—and the lady-like Cate bag, a fan favorite that’s selling out practically everywhere this season.

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I’m a sucker for an easy, but tailored and sophisticated weekend ensemble whenever summer rolls around. It’s harder than it looks to pull off given the heat and humidity, but a textured camisole, Bermuda shorts, and great heeled sandals are a fool-proof combination. I especially wanted to try out these beaded sandals, which I’ve been seeing everyone on Instagram and are selling like crazy across various retailers. The colorful bead work is so special and chic—a great mix of child-like kitsch and high-end quality. I was also immediately smitten with the raffia Billie bucket bag, which is even bigger and more spacious than it looks online. You can carry it as a shoulder bag, but everyone in the store was talking about tucking in the strap and holding it like a supersized, open-top clutch.

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Every time Khaite launches a new denim shape, I have to try it. Of course, everyone knows the Danielle, but another D-named jean is currently making waves at the brand, and this time, instead of a slim, straight leg, it’s a wide-leg jean starring in the show. I tried on pairs in classic white and a darker, washed denim shade, and was surprised at how much stretch they had to them, especially given how rigid Khaite’s most popular jeans are. They have a pretty high rise to them, which only adds to how elongated they make you look. (They are quite long, so if you’re on the shorter side, prepare to have them tailored.) With the white pair, I tried on one of Khaite’s signature Toto bodysuits, which are sculpted and very sexy, as well as a raffia-and-leather version of the Audrey clutch. Basically, it was the perfect summer night-out outfit.

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