It's Leap Day! The date when by tradition, women can take the initiative by proposing marriage to the men in their lives. Of course, we women have been disregarding this for years, but today is a perfect excuse to buy a gift for your favorite guy:
Jewels for Joes
Versani - 152 Mercer Street
Watches, chains, belt buckles and more in some traditional, but other distinctly Gothic, designs.
Trax NYC - 62 West 47th Street
Not surprisingly, given its 47th Street location, this is the headquarters for diamonds, diamonds, diamonds and more, in styles that are definitely masculine. Also, some lovely women's items!
David Yurman - 712 Madison Avenue
Yes, your guy also can have a big-name designer, with a collection that includes rings, timepieces, cufflinks and more.
Georg Jensen - 687 Madison Avenue
Extraordinary craftsmanship married to timeless designs for cufflinks, rings, and bangles.
Amazing Apparel
Cesare Attolini - 798 Madison Avenue
Three generations of fine Italian tailoring have come from Naples to New York City in collections that will redefine elegance.
Topman - 478 Broadway
Trendy, fun fashion and hip suits for the man creating his own style.
IF Soho - 94 Grand Street
This boutique also sells women's wear, but it is one of the best places to find the men's collections from such designers as Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Junya Watanabe and Maison Martin Margiela.
Billy Reid - 54 Bond Street
Reid's collections come straight from Florence -- Florence, Alabama, that is --and he brings a Southern flair to his work for men and women.
All Accessories
Jack Spade - 400 Bleecker - 56 Greene Street
Casual briefcases, chinos, wallets and other accessories are the name of the game here -- this shop is as much a lifestyle as a store!
John Lobb - 800 Madison Avenue
Gloriously made shoes and accessories that are timeless -- they have to be, since they're so durable they'll last forever!
By the way, the Leap Day tradition also says that if your intended turns down your proposal, he has to buy you a gift to soften the rejection. So good luck, send me an invitation to the wedding, and Happy Shopping!