Got some meandering time during the New York market? Hike up Madison Avenue. Traverse the 57th St. and Fifth Avenue area. Note changes in store mix versus five years ago. It's a little startling to see so many vacancies on Madison. (The former Charles Jourdan/Bis store at 66th and Madison is a major casualty.) This past year also brought new blood via Barneys, Christian Louboutin, Ombeline and Polo Sport, among others. Following is a list of area highlights. Note: Names in red denote new stores or ones offering something special via windows, design or styles.
Madison Avenue
1. Designer Shoes, 1185 Madison (86th and 87th). Note this store's window display.
2. Banana Republic, 1136 Madison (84th and 85th). Okay, they don't have shoes, but its worth a gander. It's Banana Republic's takeoff of Barneys' Madison store.
3. J. Gold Shoes, 1100 Madison (82nd and 83rd). The handbags steal the show.
4. Eric Shoes, 1067 Madison (81st and 82nd). Note the platform sneaks just inside the store.
5. Charivari, 1001 Madison (77th and 78th). The hanging displays show how to mix accessories and props in a small space.
6. Arche, 995 Madison (77th and 78th). This shows it doesn't take much to create eye-catching holiday windows. Cost: Forty Santa boots for about $140.
7. Sacco Shoes, 948 Madison (74th and 75th). NYC's hometown fashion shoe store (formerly Ecco) offers an interesting twist on the fireplace.
8. Ralph Lauren, 867 Madison (SE corner of 72nd). A gold mine of merchandising ideas. And just smell that pine.
9. Polo Sport, 888 Madison (SW corner of 72nd). Step into Ralph Lauren's squeaky clean world of sport, working fireplace et al. Keep a lookout for shoes, merchandised through-out the store.
10. Oilily, 870 Madison (70th and 71st). It's the most colorful spot on the street.
11. Andrea Carrano, 850 Madison (SW corner of 70th). Good, solid Italian fashion.
12. Maraolo, 835 Madison between 69th and 70th. Classy shoes with a fashionable twist, the Italian way.
13. Fila, 831 Madison (69th and 70th). Take a gander. What other athletic store has opened on upper Madison?
14. Joan & David, 816 Madison (68th and 69th). This store believes in brown. Nice mixing apparel, accessories and shoes.
15. Billy Martin's, 812 Madison (SW corner of 68th). It's cowboy-mania with clutter galore.
16. Peter Fox Shoes, 806 Madison (67th and 68th). At least one store put red velvet shoes in the window. It's the holiday season, after all.
17. Christian Louboutin, 30 E. 67th. An ode to the hot, young designer. The tiny store is not big on seating, so don't plan to put your feet up.
18. Henry Lehr, 772 Madison (66th and 67th). Limited shoes, but look at what they paired their funky sneaks with in the window.
19. Nicole Miller, 780 Madison (66th and 67th). The expanded shoe area is a vast improvement over its teeny predecessor.
20. Vanessa Noel, 26 E. 66th St. Posh.
21. Ombeline, 37 E. 65th St. The newest arrival on Madison is vintage Maud de Marco, formerly Maud Frizon.
22. Walter Steiger, 739 Madison (63rd and 64th). The one and only.
23. Nine West, Madison at NE corner of 64th. Good merchandising, classy decor and prime site. Otherwise, typical Nine West.
24. Timberland, 709 Madison (SE corner of 63rd). The store uses its windows to convey 'The Spirit of Giving.' Get a discount off an outerwear purchase when you donate a coat to the store, which in turn will give it to the needy. They have the right idea.
25. Stephane Kelian, 702 Madison (62nd and 63rd). The master of woven shoes.
26. Unisa, 701 Madison (62nd and 63rd). Some surprises.
27. Bally of Switzerland, 689 Madison (SE corner of 62nd). Nice, but you're better off strolling to the Fifth Ave. flagship at 55th St.
28. Cole-Haan, 667 Madison (SE corner of 61st). Get a look at the company everyone seems to copy these days. (The Fifth Ave. flagship off Rockerfeller Center is more of an eyeful.)
29. Barneys New York, 654 Madison (60th and 61st). Madison's new megastar is a must. First for its 'gastronomically' delightful windows. Second, for the amazing array of styles and designers in the shoe salon on four. Then head to the basement wine bar. Hint: Forego the restaurant unless you're up to dealing with attitude. Hang at the wine bar, order a cheese plate.
30. Robert Clergerie, 41 E. 60th St. Seems like he's everywhere today, but this is his baby.
31. Fratelli Rossetti, 601 Madison (57th and 58th). Very posh.
32. Eddie Bauer, 600 Madison (NE corner of 58th). Go the 58th St. door, it's nearest the shoe area. But be sure to exit by the front entrance. You'll find gift boxes and tissue paper stacked by the door. Dig in.
57th St./Fifth Avenue
* Diego Della Valle, 41 E. 57th St. between Madison and Park
* Prada Milan, 45 E. 57th St. (Madison and Park).
* Hermes, 11 E. 57th St. (Madison and Fifth).
* Escada, 7 E. 57th St. (Madison and Fifth).
* Chanel, 5 E. 57th St. (Madison and Fifth).
* Ann Taylor, 3 E. 57th St. (Madison and Fifth). View the shoe area on Two -- the shoes and prices will surprise you.
* Galeries Lafayette, Trump Tower, corner of 57th and Fifth.
* Warner Brothers Studio, NE corner of 57th St. and Fifth. Just opened. If something in this store doesn't put a smile on your face, you need a vacation.
* Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Ave. Browse the second floor salon, but make the effort to see the remodeled fifth floor shoe department.
* Susan Bennis Warren Edwards, 22 W. 57th St. Also check out their department in Henri Bendel at 712 Fifth.
* Salvatore Ferragamo, 717 Fifth Ave. This store and its cohort across the street close when the company's units open in Trump Tower next spring.
* Gucci, 685 Fifth Ave. K. Takashimaya, 693 Fifth Ave. No shoes, but worth the effort.
* Bruno Magli, 677 Fifth Ave. The new flagship mixes shoes, accessories and some apparel with panache.
* Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Ave. The windows are absolutely gorgeous. Plus, it's right across from Rockefeller Center so you have no excuse.
* Lord & Taylor, 424 Fifth Ave. It's a long walk, and as one woman said: 'Where are the old windows?' but they're still a tradition.
