Neighborhood Watch: Dolce Vita

Walking down Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side after sundown, it can be easy to miss the Dolce Vita boutique (149 Ludlow Street between Rivington and Stanton streets), blending into the hubbub of the exciting Lower East Side. But look closer and Dolce Vita’s window display is unmissable: A tie-dye mini dress, a denim romper with a striped cardigan, a white lace short-sleeve mini dress, and a coral sleeveless dress with ruffle detailing beg for attention. Only after entering the store does one realize that the price is as irresistible as the style—items start at $40.

Shoes are Dolce Vita’s specialty. Colorful, chic—and the prices don’t break the bank. Top sellers during the fall/winter season included the Jax Ankle Boot ($199), a leather ankle boot with a low stacked heel and the Esperanza Western Moto Boot ($169.50 from $209).

Of course, options abound when it comes to shoes, but these ones aren’t your average designer knockoffs—they are stylish. Each boot, heel, flat, and sandal is chic enough to wear around the city.

The style has broad appeal. “It’s anyone from 15 years old to 65 that shop here,” store manager Brittany Neves said. According to Neves, the wide age distribution shows that their shoes can last—customers won’t grow “too old to wear them.”

Dolce Vita also carries clothes, including many marked down items. Chunky wool sweaters, patterned silk button-up tops, and leopard print coats line the racks. Two racks showcase new spring/summer trends: bold colors, cutout styles, embellished belts.

Dolce Vita stocks its own line—Dolce Vita and DV by Dolce Vita—as well as pieces by Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Mara Hoffman, Minkpink, and Adam, among others.
The store also carries accessories: bags by Cynthia Vincent and jewelry by Vanessa Mooney and Chan Luu.

The boutique’s floor is an Art Deco-inspired mosaic, and four modern chandeliers light the space. There are two dressing rooms, ample mirrors and cushioned seats for quickly trying on shoes. The atmosphere is soothing, with slow jams playing from iPod speakers.

Dolce Vita has stylish inventory and great prices. Stop by the store any afternoon of the week. Both Dolce Vita and DV by Dolce Vita are sold at department stores, specialty boutiques, and online retailers, but Dolce Vita’s charming storefront on Ludlow Street gives shoppers a local feel that can’t be found elsewhere.