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Philly Tourism Corp.'s Official Guide to Shopping Like a Baller

By Julie Davis
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By Julie Davis

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We could ask her advice on the best times to visit the Barnes or the Liberty Bell, but today, we've tasked Philly tourism expert Caroline Bean with something a little more...extracurricular. Here, the Social Media Director at the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC)—the folks behind those With Love, Philadelphia XOXO billboards—takes us on a fantasy Philly shopping spree, sharing where to splurge on everything from designer apparel to custom-made bicycles.


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1. Adresse

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1706 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 985-3161
(215) 985-3161
Visit Website
Shop for fashions by the likes of Peter Som and Stella McCartney at Adresse, which also features accessories, formal wear, and home accents. It’s the only shop in town that sells The Row, Proenza Schouler, and Bouchra Jarrar. Make an appointment for a personalized shopping experience.

2. Christopher Germain Violins

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1625 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 545-2500.
(215) 545-2500.
Visit Website
After sprucing up at Adresse, head down the street to Germaine Violins to order a custom award-winning violin, viola, or cello.

3. DiPinto Guitars

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407 East Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 427-7805
(215) 427-7805
Visit Website
If rock-and-roll is more your style, head to Fishtown’s DiPinto Guitars, a showroom for (sometimes bizarre) vintage guitars, as well as owner Chris DiPinto’s own creations. You’d be the company of musicians like The White Stripes’ Jack White, who swear by DiPinto.

4. Joan Shepp

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1616 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 735-2666
(215) 735-2666
Visit Website
Here, you can seek out the latest designs from Ann Demeulemeester, Balenciaga, and Y-3. A helpful sales staff and onsite tailoring ensure that you’ll leave this fashion-forward boutique with knock-out outfits.

5. Egan Day

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260 S 16th St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(267) 773-8833
(267) 773-8833
Visit Website
If your home is just not complete without Ted Muehling candlesticks, you can find them at Egan Day, a simple yet luxurious jewelry shop housed in the parlor floor of a Civil War-era townhouse.

6. Distante

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1510 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 545-2850
(215) 545-2850
Visit Website
A private factory in Naples, Italy fashions many of the suits that dwell in this gentlemanly shop, a Philadelphia tradition since 1983. Distante’s in-house tailors gladly and expertly perform alterations and adjustments on pieces purchased elsewhere and have become known for their same-day turnaround—not to mention their ability to reproduce favorite pieces, seam for seam and button for button. Pssst...it’s by appointment only.

7. Boyds

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1818 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 564-9000
(215) 564-9000
Visit Website
No fine shopping spree in Philadelphia would be complete without a trip to Boyds. For the greater part of its more-than-75 years, the polished tiers of this Rittenhouse Square family business catered to men and only men, with a battalion of salesmen and dozens of tailors known for their take-charge, can-do philosophy. Today, there’s an equally polished women’s department, but men still rule via power suits, shoes, and refined sportswear from vaunted labels such as Trussini, Brioni, Armani Collezioni, Canali, Hickey Freeman, Etro, Prada, Ferragamo, Paul Smith, Montcler and Lanvin.

8. Lagos Fine Jewelry

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1735 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 567-0770
(215) 567-0770
Visit Website
Stylish, museum-quality jewelry created by internationally-known local artist Steven Lagos fill this gem of a boutique on Walnut Street. The perfect souvenir? A Hear t of Philadelphia necklace inspired by iconic Philadelphia architecture.

9. Snyderman-works Galleries

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303 Cherry St
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 238-9576
(215) 238-9576
Visit Website
Build your art collection at the Snyderman-Works Gallery, where you can find contemporary studio crafts representing selected artists working in figurative, narrative and functional ceramics, glass, jewelry, fiber, and wood. Don’t skip the stunning collection of custom jewelry in the lower gallery.

10. Bilenky Cycle Works

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5319 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19120
(215) 329-4744
(215) 329-4744
Visit Website
Whether you want a cruiser to tool around town or need a super slick cross bike, head to Bilenkey Cycle Works in North Philadelphia for a completely custom, hand-crafted bicycle.
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1. Adresse

1706 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA
Shop for fashions by the likes of Peter Som and Stella McCartney at Adresse, which also features accessories, formal wear, and home accents. It’s the only shop in town that sells The Row, Proenza Schouler, and Bouchra Jarrar. Make an appointment for a personalized shopping experience.
1706 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 985-3161
Visit Website

2. Christopher Germain Violins

1625 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
After sprucing up at Adresse, head down the street to Germaine Violins to order a custom award-winning violin, viola, or cello.
1625 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 545-2500.
Visit Website

3. DiPinto Guitars

407 East Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
If rock-and-roll is more your style, head to Fishtown’s DiPinto Guitars, a showroom for (sometimes bizarre) vintage guitars, as well as owner Chris DiPinto’s own creations. You’d be the company of musicians like The White Stripes’ Jack White, who swear by DiPinto.
407 East Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 427-7805
Visit Website

4. Joan Shepp

1616 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Here, you can seek out the latest designs from Ann Demeulemeester, Balenciaga, and Y-3. A helpful sales staff and onsite tailoring ensure that you’ll leave this fashion-forward boutique with knock-out outfits.
1616 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 735-2666
Visit Website

5. Egan Day

260 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
If your home is just not complete without Ted Muehling candlesticks, you can find them at Egan Day, a simple yet luxurious jewelry shop housed in the parlor floor of a Civil War-era townhouse.
260 S 16th St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(267) 773-8833
Visit Website

6. Distante

1510 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
A private factory in Naples, Italy fashions many of the suits that dwell in this gentlemanly shop, a Philadelphia tradition since 1983. Distante’s in-house tailors gladly and expertly perform alterations and adjustments on pieces purchased elsewhere and have become known for their same-day turnaround—not to mention their ability to reproduce favorite pieces, seam for seam and button for button. Pssst...it’s by appointment only.
1510 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 545-2850
Visit Website

7. Boyds

1818 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA
No fine shopping spree in Philadelphia would be complete without a trip to Boyds. For the greater part of its more-than-75 years, the polished tiers of this Rittenhouse Square family business catered to men and only men, with a battalion of salesmen and dozens of tailors known for their take-charge, can-do philosophy. Today, there’s an equally polished women’s department, but men still rule via power suits, shoes, and refined sportswear from vaunted labels such as Trussini, Brioni, Armani Collezioni, Canali, Hickey Freeman, Etro, Prada, Ferragamo, Paul Smith, Montcler and Lanvin.
1818 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 564-9000
Visit Website

8. Lagos Fine Jewelry

1735 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Stylish, museum-quality jewelry created by internationally-known local artist Steven Lagos fill this gem of a boutique on Walnut Street. The perfect souvenir? A Hear t of Philadelphia necklace inspired by iconic Philadelphia architecture.
1735 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 567-0770
Visit Website

9. Snyderman-works Galleries

303 Cherry St, Philadelphia, PA
Build your art collection at the Snyderman-Works Gallery, where you can find contemporary studio crafts representing selected artists working in figurative, narrative and functional ceramics, glass, jewelry, fiber, and wood. Don’t skip the stunning collection of custom jewelry in the lower gallery.
303 Cherry St
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 238-9576
Visit Website

10. Bilenky Cycle Works

5319 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120
Whether you want a cruiser to tool around town or need a super slick cross bike, head to Bilenkey Cycle Works in North Philadelphia for a completely custom, hand-crafted bicycle.
5319 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19120
(215) 329-4744
Visit Website