Universal Gear boutique Chelsea, on 8th Avenue

No fashion boutique in New York City speaks more prominently to the gay market than Universal Gear, which opened in flagship Chelsea branch (140 8th Ave., 212-206-9119) in 2001 and has been going strong ever since (there are also store locations in Washington DC and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware). This purveyor of stylish, upscale couture carries such labels as Hugo Boss, Ben Sherman, John Varvatos, Ted Baker, Scotch & Soda, Paul Frank, C-IN2 underwear, Malin+Goetz, Blueman, Ajaxx63, True Religion, and - sure enough - plain old Levi's. Other good bets for gay fashion on 8th Avenue include Brookln Industries, Giraudon, and Gallerie H.