31 July 2024 |
From avant-garde to vintage to established designers, these curated shops are thriving.
Brick-and-mortar retail isn’t dead–in fact, it’s never been more alive. You just have to know where to look. There’s nothing better than discovering new brands in an inspiring space, or spending hours touching and feeling the garments in real life. In an era where we’re bombarded with millions of images a day and when online shopping is no further than the touch of a finger, there’s something special about experiencing the real thing. Read on for our guide to the best boutiques in the U.S.A. –they’re so good, you might need to do a road trip just to visit them all.
Kasuri – Hudson, New York
Inside one of New York state’s most experimental and avant-garde boutiques, you’ll find an array of Vivienne Westwood, Yohji Yamamoto and Walter Van Beirendonck. Plus, some of the rarest, hardest-to-find runway finale looks from Noir Kei Ninomiya and Comme des Garcons that you won’t see anywhere else.
James Veloria – New York, NY
You never know what you’re going to find at James Veloria, and that’s the point. The colorful Chinatown boutique is like a wonderland of joyful vintage fashion packed to the brim full of grails, which are priced very fairly in the world of secondhand fashion. The shop opened in 2017 and Veloria knows his stuff – from Tom Ford for Gucci to early Junya Watanabe and Alexander McQueen. Take your time here, you’ll want to peruse every single rack.
Hampden – Charleston, SC
It’s been a fashion industry favorite forever and for good reason. With its idyllic backdrop of colorful historic homes and great weather, Charleston’s Hampden is full of Simone Rocha, Ulla Johnson and Sea New York, Wandler and Bernadette. There’s a focus on colorful, playful style and it’s the perfect spot to find a new wear-everywhere dress or fun accessories.
Antidote – Atlanta, GA
So far, there’s only one place in the city of Atlanta where you’ll find Comme des Garçons, Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier, Rick Owens, Sacai and Marine Serre, and that’s at Antidote. Founded by the fashion icon, street style favorite, and collector Lauren Amos, it’s worth a visit even if you don’t plan on buying anything simply for the ultra minimalist conceptual interior.
Forty Five Ten – Dallas, TX
In this chic Texas boutique, Thom Browne collides with JW Anderson and Cecilie Bahnsen. Whether you’re looking for a pair of Vivienne Westwood shoes that would look as at home on your feet as they do on your mantle as a piece of art, or a sculptural Sacai jacket to wear to work, the selection here is always surprising. The gorgeous displays will have you wandering and exploring for hours.
Aralda Vintage – Los Angeles, CA
Aralda Vintage is what vintage fashion dreams are made of. The shop was founded by former model Brynn Jones in 2017, who has an incredible eye for John Galliano era Dior and Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière. It’s no wonder it’s attracted the attention of ample celebs and also served as the vintage purveyor for all the iconic outfits of Euphoria.
McMullen Boutique – Oakland, CA
Founded in 2007, McMullen curated a visually striking mix of designers that range from cult favorites to emerging new names to know. Think: Diotima, Christopher John Rogers (McMullen founder Sherri McMullen was reportedly the first ever retailer to stock the brand), Tove, and Zankov alongside Dries Van Noten, The Row, and Erdem. Here, you’re bound to find endless wardrobe staples and encounter newer, hard-to-find gems.
Stand Up Comedy – Portland, OR
Considering the city’s outdoorsy reputation, there’s a place to explore great fashion from brands you’ve never heard of thanks to Stand Up Comedy. Between all the Issey Miyake, Luar, Vaquera and Telfar, you might encounter new labels that are hard to come by in brick-and-mortar retailers, such as Nin Studio, SC103 or Julia Heuer. Founded by Portland native Diana Kim in 2007, the space also stocks art books and zines to further spark your curiosity.
Notre – Chicago, IL
Chicago may not immediately come to mind when thinking about the current fashion landscape but Notre certainly has its finger on the pulse. It’s stocked full of Peter Do, Eckhaus Latta and Acne Studios to name a few. Newcomer names are also among the mix, such as Pressiat and Tanner Fletcher to name a few. The shop includes both men’s and women’s as well as a selection of sneakers and beauty products.
Outline – Brooklyn, NY
Founded by friends Margaret Austin, Hannah Rieke, and Julia Edelman in 2022, this unassuming shop in Brooklyn on Atlantic Avenue has a small town feel with cozy decor. Think: fresh flowers and quilts hanging as wall decoration, or a beautiful little sunny sink and green checkerboard floors. But it packs a powerful punch with an incredible selection from Molly Goddard and The Row, as well as indie picks like Super Yaya Flore Flore, and Toogood.
