By Michael Lanza
Northwestern Queens’ meteoric rise in stature among the City’s young, wealthy and fashionable crowd hasn’t been all bad for those of us with more lint than cash in our pockets.

The rise of the Astoria boutique has brought high fashion to Queens without the high prices. So forget about the Lower East Side or Williamsburg and head west of Steinway Street. In this little corner of Queens you’ll find a holiday shopper’s paradise – and one of borough’s best kept secrets.
Here are a few places to add to your Queens holiday shopping destinations.

Loveday 31
33-06 31st Ave.
If you’re looking for vintage clothing in Queens then look no further. Fashionphiles will find a tremendous assortment of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories from the 70s and 80s – everything from gaudy belts and acid-rock tees to plastic armbands and leisure suits. There are also some rare secondhand finds from the roaring 20s.
The collection is built with a discerning eye – the owner said she owes her sensibilities to Manhattan’s legendary Screaming Mimi’s.
Expect prices to run less than half of what you’ll find in Manhattan – with shoes starting at around $30, belts at around $20 and blazers and dresses for less than $100.

Mimi’s Closet
21-10 31st St.
The boutique features hand-picked works by some of the City’s most talented up-and-coming fashion designers.
Owner Mimi Yamanobe offers up an eclectic selection of ultra-feminine women’s clothing inspired by her days as a costume designer and assistant in Japan’s renowned Issey Miyake.
While some of the $400 price tags may scare some, it’s a bargain if you have the extra dough. All of the clothing and accessories are handmade original lines crafted with care by meticulous designers. The lineup includes a cycle of original dresses, jackets, blouses, skirts and coats.

KrisTEES
24-01 23rd Ave.
This small woman’s fashion boutique brings an edgy style and international flair to a sleepy block of traditional Greek souvlaki and gyro joints next to Astoria Park. KrisTEES features evolving collections from international designers that are sure to turn heads and stand out from the crowd.
Owner Kristie Foster-Chapman opened the store after 13 years in Astoria. Her collections are geared towards mostly casual and work casual wear, with everything from hats to boots and from dresses to jeans.

Candy Plum Collections
30-98 36th St.
This one’s all about color. From the bright plum walls to the bright and vibrant mix of retro and designer clothing – if you’re looking to add some life to your wardrobe this may be your place. Candy Plum is part vintage boutique and part designer consignment, where you’ll find everything from bright plastic designer bracelets to neon Turkish print tops.
The store actively recruits up and coming designers to display their wares. Candy Plum prides itself at offering top of the line fashion at an affordable price, so expect to get some good bargains here.