9 Most LUXURIOUS SHOPS of the GILDED AGE

There once was a time when nations experienced unprecedented prosperity and gave rise to a new era of disposable income.

A time when opulent department stores and exclusive boutiques came on the scene, and the shopping landscape was forever transformed.

Today we are taking you back to the Gilded Age, a period in history marked by extravagant spending, when shopping transcended mere necessity, and became symbol of status.

The mid to late 1800s saw the rise of a new type of shop, one which existed only to fulfill the desires of a growing upper class, and one who happily parted them from their money.

These were the palaces of consumption boasting fabulous architecture, glamorous interiors, while making a grand spectacle of everything. Those who turned the act of shopping into a cultural experience.

If you’re unapologetically bougie, or just plain curious about where high society shopped during the Gilded Age, then you’ve stopped at the right video.

Without further ado, here are the 9 most luxurious shops of the gilded age.

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9 Most LUXURIOUS SHOPS of the GILDED AGE

[jerilynjlee]

I was born and raised in Chicago. My dad was an executive with Bacardi Imports, in the SIXTIES. I was an only child and Marshall Field's was my Mom's favorite store when few black women shopped there. That store will forever be in my heart. It was the ONLY major department store in the 1960's where black women could get good quality makeup ih shades that complimented our skin tones. It had to be custom blended, and I remember my mother taking me to the makeup counter of a beautiful, tall, blond clerk who knew my mothet by name. Mom told her I was old enough to wear age-appropriate makeup, and that beautiful clerk mixed and stirred until it was perfect!!! Foundation, powder and blush. I will NEVER forget her!
Field's was innovative in a lot of areas, but particularly in recognizing that their clientele came in different sizes, shapes, and hues. And they trained their staff to treat all their customers with the same respect. ❤

[accessorygirlnyc]

Joseph Bloomingdale was my great great grandfather. He and his brother actually started their business selling things from a pushcart on the street.

[John_Fugazzi]

I'm glad you included the social aspects of the great department stores in the Gilded Age. They helped free women from the home and gave them a place they could go, even alone, and shop, have tea and socialize without men. This was a major step back then.

[breezeyparker]

When I was a little girl my mother worked at the City of Paris in San Francisco. Because of her color she placed in the back as a seamstress. I remember the different languages spoken. Spanish and Chinese. It was the 1960’s

[barbararupp]

Growing up in Chicago in the 60's, Marshall Fields was a destination. We would dress up in our best patent leather Mary Jane-s with white ruffle socks and velvet trim coats and hats to have tea and cake in the balcony restaurant with my Aunt who was a buyer for the store. Christmas was always the most beautiful with decorations everywhere and the Santa visits were like a dream for a young child. Loved the Marshall Fields experience of feeling like a princess.

[EMtheBee]

"It’s glamor days are over as now it's occupied by Macy's." Oh the shade in that one sentence!!😂😂😂😂

[carolynbailey]

My sister and I went to Lord and Taylor’s when I was 18. I still remember quite clearly the pink ladies lounge. It had multiple fully stocked dressing tables ladies could use. Fresh and clean combs and brushes, perfume, etc. It was luxuriously decorated, clean and smelled delightful. Today, “fully stocked” wouldn’t last 5 minutes. People who are civilized are treated in a civilized manner.

[ajaysworld]

I could only imagine how fun it would be to go back in time and shop at one of these stores.

[MsPort]

Marshall Field’s was simply the best. Their Christmas displays and beautiful building was so special. Their chocolates were amazing, Macy’s doesn’t even come close.

[MoJo]

I absolutely love extravagant department stores with actual service, beautiful areas and products and well dressed associates. Straw ridges. Wanamaker's. Bloomingdale's. Miss them

[fluffy_mcflooferson]

I'm old enough to remember the Magnin Brothers in San Francisco: Joseph Magnin was one store, I Magnin the other. They were exquisite and very special. Long gone now.

[kathymccall]

Marshall Fields holds a very special place in my heart. There was a small one in the town I grew up in, Lake Forest. IL. It always felt special to go into such a fine quality store and at Christmas, a trip to the Walnut Room for lunch and a visit to the "real Santa ", plus seeing the animated street windows was a treasured tradition. My grandmother's best friend was in charge of all of the store's food offerings, both bakery and restaurants, having to taste test everything! I have a silver charm of the State Street building clock and am so sad that's all that remains of a fabulous store and shopping experience.

[nreynolds]

I love those times of elegance. You can see the workmanship in the clothes and the buildings during that time. I love fashion and feel that I was born in the wrong era. 😊

[ritamarie]

Boy I miss Henri Bendels. It was always a great experience. I still have a t shirt from there and a shopping bag. Thank goodness some of these still survive.

[andycofin]

When I was seven years old 1966, my mother, her parents and three of my older siblings when into Chicago and spent about five hours shopping and dining at Marshall Fields. I still remember seeing the big corner clock at State and Randolph, the Tiffany ceiling, the very posh restaurant and since it was the Christmas season, the humongous Indoor Christmas tree and all the Christmas displays (especially the toys) and all the decorations. My grandfather died the following spring and my mom three years later. Whenever I think back on those early years of my life, I fondly recall that trip of an elegance now so sadly missing and cheapened today. Thanks for bringing that memory back to the forefront of my mind.

[erinshields-pett]

Surprised that 316 year old luxury department store, Fortnum and Mason, wasn’t included in this video. Up until a few years ago, customers were greeted by liveried doormen and served by clerks in morning dress. One of my favourite shops in London.🇬🇧

[brendadrew]

Absolutely fascinating! I grew up in the 1950s and 60s and my late beloved mother took me to the great department stores in NYC before some of them moved out to the suburbs! We had lunch at gorgeous Lord & Taylors that had the best creative magical Christmas windows! B. Altmans was also on 5th Ave. a very classy store as well. Best and Co. and Bonwit Tellers were not to far away on 5th near Saks Fifth Ave. We shopped at Bloomingdates after it opened a branch in NJ! I went on to become a NYC fashion illustrator so it was fun to see all the fashion art of the Gilded Age as well. Bonwit's lovely logo was a nose gay of purple violets, their shopping bags with violets and a purple ribbon handle were delightful looking! Thanks for the grand tour of dept. stores from the Gilded Age, much appreciated!♥💜

[costumesbyantonia]

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and “City of Paris” was
an iconic landmark. After it shut down, it was taken over by the Hawaiian retailer “Liberty House”
Than afterwards by Neiman Marcus. I’m glad they saved that beautiful ceiling!

[johnflynn]

I have actually been to Harrod's in London and it's a beautiful store to this day! Plus I actually worked at Lord and Taylor for many years until unfortunately it's been closed down. We need to get the fancy schamcy back to the retail market!!

[lorihansen]

Being from Chicago, I loved Marshall Fields! It was the ultimate shopping experience. I enjoyed having so many options under one roof, from Frango mints to clothes to the dining hall upstairs. Such magnificence! You just felt rich walking around.