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Boston is known as one of America's great walking cities, but if you have a trip planned to the Bay State, we recommend opting out of the Freedom Trail and instead venturing onto the charming brick sidewalks of our best shopping neighborhoods. You might be pleasantly surprised to find boutiques that rival your hometown favorites.
Pop into Louis for luxury exclusives, sneak behind a secret Snapple door at Bodega to find a world of streetwear, swing by Follain for healthy beauty goods, and finish your weekend with a Sunday browse through SoWa (keep in mind there is an epic food truck lot involved). We're certain you'll head home with something you couldn't find in New York/LA/Vegas. All ten stores are in handy map form after the jump.
Concepts is a Cambridge institution specializing in high-demand collabs and all the hype that surrounds a major release from New Balance, Nike, Vans, and other iconic brands in skate and street culture. It also offers pieces from fashion legends like Margiela and Comme Des Garcons, housed in a sleek space that feels like a lounge.
Good is a tightly edited collection of New England's best craftspeople, featuring supple leather bags from Maine, ceramics from Connecticut, jewelry from Nantucket, and baskets from New Hampshire—punctuated by global finds like Japanese paper goods.
Beacon Hill boutique Holiday is the epitome of girly with its "Pretty Little Sister" private line, feminine Massachusetts-made frocks, a signature cashmere collection, and designers like SF-based Kirribilla, Bell by Alicia Bell, and Erin Fetherston. Also find knick knacks for your abode and jewelry box throughout the vintage-inspired store.
Nearly a century old and having inhabited a historic Back Bay building for the latter part of the twentieth century, this fine retailer moved itself to the waterfront several seasons ago. Since then, fashion lovers have adored this department store for high end threads from the likes of Proenza Schouler, Balenciaga, and Jason Wu alongside emerging CFDA-approved talents Jonathan Simkhai and Monique Pean.
Guys love this camo-clad habitat for Americana-inspired threads, kicks, and accessories, usually part of limited edition collabs and all of which are made in the USA. It has increasingly built up its own private line, complementing goods from Wolverine, Dickies, and Baxter skincare seamlessly. With a commitment to domestic jobs, the team also keeps customers looking fresh at the in-store barbershop.
The secret Snapple entrance is a rite of passage to many streetwear enthusiasts far and wide—no surprise given its close proximity to the universities. Since the secret is already out, we won't keep mum on the killer selection of all the sneaker favorites, jackets from Schott and Dr. Romanelli, Super and even vintage Cazal eyewear. And if you want a snack, the literal bodega is open too.
Approaching its first anniversary, Follain has caught nationwide attention for its blend of American-made, all natural beauty inventory. Pick up some regionally sourced castile soap, Gwyneth Paltrow-approved skincare, beeswax lip balm, and chemical-free cosmetics—owner Tara Foley will happily walk you through each product.
People claim this is the best men's vintage shopping around, and a browsable women's selection is available too. Amazing bags, preppy wears of yesteryear, and a totally cool ambiance are the attraction here.
For the past decade, Bostonians have been strolling SoWa's markets on Sundays in search of clever trinkets, unusual decor, locally crafted items, and a cluster of vintage and antique vendors. Indoors you'll find the year-round Vintage Market, with May through October adding on an outdoor farmer's market, food and fashion truck gatherings, and tent upon tent of distinctive buys. Come fall, artisans prep for the notorious Holiday Market.
Given their worldwide fame as artists and collaborators with Target and Anthropologie, we dig that the creative pair behind this design dynasty still calls a little South End courtyard home. The headquarters and shop are a warm setting for striking jewelry and home goods, many of which are private label and all of which are keepers.
Concepts is a Cambridge institution specializing in high-demand collabs and all the hype that surrounds a major release from New Balance, Nike, Vans, and other iconic brands in skate and street culture. It also offers pieces from fashion legends like Margiela and Comme Des Garcons, housed in a sleek space that feels like a lounge.
Good is a tightly edited collection of New England's best craftspeople, featuring supple leather bags from Maine, ceramics from Connecticut, jewelry from Nantucket, and baskets from New Hampshire—punctuated by global finds like Japanese paper goods.
Beacon Hill boutique Holiday is the epitome of girly with its "Pretty Little Sister" private line, feminine Massachusetts-made frocks, a signature cashmere collection, and designers like SF-based Kirribilla, Bell by Alicia Bell, and Erin Fetherston. Also find knick knacks for your abode and jewelry box throughout the vintage-inspired store.
Nearly a century old and having inhabited a historic Back Bay building for the latter part of the twentieth century, this fine retailer moved itself to the waterfront several seasons ago. Since then, fashion lovers have adored this department store for high end threads from the likes of Proenza Schouler, Balenciaga, and Jason Wu alongside emerging CFDA-approved talents Jonathan Simkhai and Monique Pean.
Guys love this camo-clad habitat for Americana-inspired threads, kicks, and accessories, usually part of limited edition collabs and all of which are made in the USA. It has increasingly built up its own private line, complementing goods from Wolverine, Dickies, and Baxter skincare seamlessly. With a commitment to domestic jobs, the team also keeps customers looking fresh at the in-store barbershop.
The secret Snapple entrance is a rite of passage to many streetwear enthusiasts far and wide—no surprise given its close proximity to the universities. Since the secret is already out, we won't keep mum on the killer selection of all the sneaker favorites, jackets from Schott and Dr. Romanelli, Super and even vintage Cazal eyewear. And if you want a snack, the literal bodega is open too.
Approaching its first anniversary, Follain has caught nationwide attention for its blend of American-made, all natural beauty inventory. Pick up some regionally sourced castile soap, Gwyneth Paltrow-approved skincare, beeswax lip balm, and chemical-free cosmetics—owner Tara Foley will happily walk you through each product.
People claim this is the best men's vintage shopping around, and a browsable women's selection is available too. Amazing bags, preppy wears of yesteryear, and a totally cool ambiance are the attraction here.
For the past decade, Bostonians have been strolling SoWa's markets on Sundays in search of clever trinkets, unusual decor, locally crafted items, and a cluster of vintage and antique vendors. Indoors you'll find the year-round Vintage Market, with May through October adding on an outdoor farmer's market, food and fashion truck gatherings, and tent upon tent of distinctive buys. Come fall, artisans prep for the notorious Holiday Market.
Given their worldwide fame as artists and collaborators with Target and Anthropologie, we dig that the creative pair behind this design dynasty still calls a little South End courtyard home. The headquarters and shop are a warm setting for striking jewelry and home goods, many of which are private label and all of which are keepers.
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