Having bigger and more varied menswear stores in Auckland city is a welcome addition between the…read moresunglasses and shoe stores on every other corner. The recently upgraded Fort St has allowed the classier feel of High St to influence the lower CBD and given guys more choices in how they dress. Regrettably, the Ben Sherman store just off Queen St was a disappointment. Usually stockists of a huge selection of fashionable shirts and jackets, the range was surprisingly lacking, especially for such a spacious store. I hope they didn't spend all the money on outfitting the shop with trendy accessories. Note: There is a women's range of clothing available here I haven't noticed in other Ben Sherman stores around Auckland.

Ben Sherman make nice clothing. Their new store in Fort St is really nice, and I went in to buy…read moresome shirts. Yeah they are pricey, but I'm happy with the quality and fit. And I don't buy them that often. Staff are friendly enough, in a sort of nice but dim sort of way, but helpful with my purchases. Their store is pretty big and every now and then they run some great deals so it's definitely worth waiting for a sale!

Won the lotto ? Feel like a fancy pants ? Head here . From humble beginnings on High St , city …read more This is a fashionista Valhalla ! I had the nicest sales girl show me through their range of perfumes , now she probably knew I had zero deniro but did not care at all and was just interested in showing me a particular perfume which I will now plot to get ! They also have books , fashion ones of course but books all the same . We discussed the merits of real books to a kindle and the difference of woody chypre scents to powdery frou frou ones . This girl really knew her stuff even after admitting she hadn't been into perfumes until she started at World . With the use of luxe fabrics and vintage trays this is a awesome shopping experience !

I could seriously look around this store for hours, it holds so many wondrous knick knacks, weird…read moreand wonderful art and collective items. You can be looking at some beautiful fashion items and then turn and see a stuffed animal! World has a few locations Auckland wide, but my favourite is the Newmarket branch, I just love the way it's set out. It's dark and mysterious yet everything on display is clear and eye catching. World stocks a lot of brands, many of which you can't get anywhere else in New Zealand, for me I wanted a specific perfume, and they had it! The service was also extremely helpful, I wanted the hand cream to go with my perfume but they had run out at the time, therefore the retail assistant took my name and email address and they are going to email when it comes in, amazing service!

Paco Design Store is run by the charming and vibrant Gilberto Navas-Cotte, who has handpicked the…read morelocal New Zealand and international brands that fill his store by hand. He manages to create great looks from the combination of pieces from as far afield as his native Columbia with items he's seen on local runways and will happily fit his customers with a fresh, new look. My favourite brand at Paco is Cyclus - bags and accessories made from cycle inner tubes and tyres. This is upmarket upcycling at its best; check it out.

From the owner: Recycled and sustainable bags and accessories from South America. Also stocking local designed…read moremenswear brands, Gus and Woody Nicholson.

Best Kept Secret is an outlet store that has a good range of shoes, bags, clothes and jewellery for…read morewomen with more more mature tastes, however there are still a few things that younger people might like as well. The owner, Lorna, goes on buying trips overseas to hand-pick items for the shop, mostly in parts of Asia, so the stock is not the usual stuff that you would find in other places in New Zealand. It is organised really well, with a corporate section that has stylish comfortable work shoes, a slipper section with all sorts of leading slipper brands, such as Grosby, and also a large leather bag section to the right of the store. A nice place to go if you are after a unique pair of new comfortable shoes, or wanting a reasonably priced present for your mum or your sister.

Simple but luxurious, Moochi is a working girl's dream place to shop. It's filled with really great…read morepieces that are comfortable, flattering, and stylish. Who knew you could get all three at one time?!? The shop assistants are always really friendly and helpful in making sure you get the best fit and dress for you body. They have perfected the sack dress with one of the styles they produce very season. But somehow they make it look like a slimming sack dress. Even though they produce similar dresses each season they don't look exactly the same because they use different fabrics, patterns and textures. The shop in Vulcan Lane is in the perfect location for popping out for a quick shopping trip in your lunch break. Especially on those days where you think, why did I walk out wearing this? Moochi is foolproof fashion and I love it loads.

Usually you can find a Meccano in most New Zealand malls, stockists of brands like FourFontaine and…read moreIndustrie. As a menswear store, the do well to have a range of casual and formal fashion- everything from shirts to underwear. The are reasonably priced for quite good quality clothing. The Newmarket store in the Westfield mall is surprisingly larger than most of the Meccano stores I've visited. The service is happy, helpful service, typical of a mall store when customers can easily wander off if they are feeling ignored. The selection of button up shirts and variety of patterns and fabrics used is what keeps me coming back and seeing what new ideas they have for my wardrobe. Meccano's is a staple in menswear stores and, even though it's proximity to other, more classy menswear stores, Newmarket's Meccano should not go overlooked.

I regularly worship at the church of Briarwood, and this branch is near work, so I get to pray at…read morethe altar of fine crafted leather goods as often as I like. Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean I buy stuff very often. I wish! Briarwood is value for money, and there's a whole lot of value in their products, if you know what I mean. I've had a beautiful Briarwood handbag (brown leather satchel with embossed flower design and candy-stripe lining - I still love it like the day I got it) for several years now and it hardy looks used, although I've thrashed it. Unlike other places, the hardware on Briarwood bags is some serious heavy metal, and it really lasts. They also sell gorgeous shoes and other accessories, like little purses. Definitely not to be missed if you're browsing High Street.

Cute place for window shopping in Auckland,…read more Located on Queens Street near the Queen's Arcade.

Definitely NO SPECIAL HOT STAMP. Yes, there used to be a Kiwi Bird and other unique to New…read moreZealand, but the staff there said there were intellectual property issues and they are no longer available. They said LV is working on a unique design of their own as they know these hot stamps of different locations have become a "big thing". I went to the location on Queen.

Mi Piaci is one of those dangerous shops. You come to browse, and you leave with shoes. You walk…read morepast, and get sucked in, and you leave with shoes. You just think about it innocently and suddenly you're online, and you've chosen shoes. The prices have always been quite steep, but it's worth it because Mi Piaci has one of the best selections of shoes in town. Even their plainer styles have nice detailing and real quality to them, and then they have some really special shoes and boots too. The service at this Mi Piaci I think is second to none. They greet you but they don't get in your face, they're hepful without being pushy. I've had good, honest advice here about selecting the right size and style. It's a most satisfactory way to part with a big lump of cash.

Do you like shoes? Well I like shoes - or as the Italian say mi piacciono le scarpe. Thus the…read moremeaning behind Mi Piaci. I like shoes that fit my not so small feet, and I love that the designer shoes in this lovely store do come in the larger shoe variety as sometimes it seems so hard to find that perfect fit. The quality and style of any shoe in Mi Piaci is top notch, you walk in with a want and you walk out with a thank you lord. If you have the money to pay the top price for a classy shoe, here is your pick of the crop. Ladies they have boots, wedges, sandals, flats, loafers, ankle boots and handbags. It's a dream come true to match your wardrobe. Welcome in and please indulge.

WOW what a RIOT of colorful, fabulous ball gowns!!!…read more I accompanied my friend and her daughter for her to select a ball gown for her upcoming prom. My friend's daughter was immediately in heaven once she arrived. She was excited to be here and sort through the tremendous selection of great dresses. Helen, the owner, has the patience of a saint, and really understands the needs, desires, and interests of these young girls, as they prepare for their special night. My friend's daughter had great difficulty narrowing down her selection. Helen worked thoughtfully with her to make sure that she picked the best dress for her shape and coloring. We left with a VERY happy teenager!!! Helen goes to the U.S. to personally select these gowns in assorted designs and styles in vibrant colors. She has both classic designs and beaded, embellished gowns, and even some exotic gowns for weddings, proms, graduations, celebrations, and special occasions. She intentionally and carefully purchases small quantities of any given dress and then she makes sure that the girls don't wear the same dress to the same event, as she keeps careful track of them in a register. Helen is open weekends February through August for the school ball season, but is also very accommodating to be available for private appointment. Best to check out her Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/dressesdirect Go and be happy!!

I went to this establishment to purchase a ball dress, mistake 1. I then asked to try on a dress,…read moremistake 2. As I was trying on my dress in a filthy dressing room that looked like it had not been cleaned in WEEKS, I heard the owner berating a girlabout not being able to try on one of the dresses because she would "stretch it out." After hearing this I quickly changed out of my dress and got out of that appalling dressing room to share my experience. Under any circumstance DO NOT provide this store with your business. If possible, I would rate 0 stars.