The Lower East Side’s Next Clubhouse Is a Clothing Store

At Eckhaus Latta’s prior outpost in New York’s Chinatown Mall, shopping always felt more like a good hang. Next door to vintage-clothing boutique James Veloria, the Eckhaus store had an air of more than just any ol’ downtown boutique; maybe you came for a chat with shopgirl and actress Ruby McCollister but ended up leaving with a new knit dress. Even a crowd of downtowntown shoppers much too discerning to ever pay retail would make an exception for Eckhaus Latta, because the stuff and the space felt that special.But Eckhaus Latta has outgrown its first humble storefront. It’s moving to the heart of the Lower East Side, deserving of a brand that’s spent the past few years coming into its own. Or, as Eckhaus Latta press manager Jake Sigl puts it, “We’ve graduated from the Chinatown Mall.”The new Ludlow Street location is rooted in the neighborhood’s scrappy charm: graffitied in-wall air conditioning units, painted-over push-bar doors, and all. Inside, the space retains a sleek, considered sensibility grounded by the building’s original linoleum floors and a scattering of rugs, both unique handmade textiles and one massive ochre area rug either in the style of Nordic Knots (or maybe actual Nordic Knots). The “vibe” is all things Eckhaus: domestic homestead-y, industrial-charming, but most importantly, intimate.“You will find floral arrangements by Sophie Stone,” says Eckhaus Latta press manager and friend Jake Sigl, “and little objects around the store collected by Mike and Zoe. If you see something that tickles you, it’s meant to be that way.” Take the bag displays! Each precious leather carryall hangs from a simple nail in the wall, a welcome (and more approachable) alternative to the traditional structured shelving units typically utilized in NYC retail. Here, design is present and decidedly unprecious. Designed rather than design-y, if you will. The till, an oversized aluminum plinth sat beside side tables stacked with unique flower arrangements, is one of those things that could go aesthetically south if the overall atmosphere of the store wasn’t so friendly. There’s room to browse, chat, and maintain a good hang. It’s a space reminiscent of the golden age of NYC retail, where you’d boutique-hop just for a chat with the sales associates, most of whom were already mutual friends. “With the Chinatown mall store, you’re walking through and everything feels like an office space, then you get to Eckhaus Latta and it just opens up into something alluring, something beautiful,” Eckhaus Latta fan Josie Gonzalez tells me just outside the entrance. “I think they have way more to play with here. And I love how understated it feels.” For a fashion brand that’s intentionally inverted fashion convention, an unpretentious space like this makes sense, less a scaling up than a settling-in.Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit our SHOPPER page and subscribe to the newsletter for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.