237 Lafayette St., 212-226-5292, inventorynyc.com 
It's been described as a permanent sample sale, but this 3,200-square-foot store has none of the bummers (cramped quarters, fleeting dates, hysteria) and all of the perks (affordability, cutting-edge design, unique pieces) of that New York City shopping staple. Open on Lafayette Street since March, Inven.tory carries discounted overstock of covetable indie lines like Steven Alan, Lova and A-Z Collection, along with ultra-affordable full-price labels like Cheap Mondays (it was the first store in the City to carry the entire Swedish line). Cold-weather finds include mod white combat boots for $98 by Marais USA and an avant-garde, color-blocked chambray shirt by A-Z Collection for $80. With a healthy selection for both men and women, a vintage section that plays off of current trends and footwear and accessories, Inven.tory is a one-stop shop for, as co-owner Whitney Singer puts it, the "downtown New Yorker's closet." Things here sell out fast and change weekly—stop by often or sign up for the store's email updates so as not to miss out when that perfect winter sweater arrives.

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