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It's now time to update the Indie 38, our annual list of the 38 best independent boutiques around the city. Like last time, to make number more manageable, we've excluded consignment and vintage shops and stores younger than six months old.
For today's list, we cleared Concrete Polish (reborn as Ritual Ritual), Franklin Square (closed), and Nice Things Handmade to make room for Mushmina, Art Star, and Hello World. Got an addition to the list—or a subtraction, for that matter? We'll be updating the map periodically, so let us know your thoughts in the comments section. You can also email us at philly@racked.com.
10/29/13: Removed Franklin Square, Nice Things Handmade, Concrete Polish; Added Art Star, Hello World, Mushmina · All Racked Maps [Racked Philly]
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Newly relocated to Old City, this swanky boutique stock the latest looks from designers like Stella McCartney, Lela Rose, and Peter Som, and it’s the only shop in the Philadelphia area to house apparel by The Row.
At this Rittenhouse Square shop, turquoise blue walls envelope women's apparel, accessories, and jewelry from a range of emerging, under-the-radar designers.
The only store in Philly with its own in-house line of liqueurs, woodsy-vibed
Art in the Age supplies both genders with clothing and accessories from a mix of indie and American labels like Penfield, Steven Alan, and Woolrich.
Apparel, accessories, art, home decor, and more—all from indie artists and crafters—have a home at this NoLibs boutique/gallery. What's more, Art Star is the boutique behind the wildly popular Art Star Craft Bazaar and the new Holiday Market at WinterFest.
An old-school department store in an era where there aren't many of those left, Boyd's carries the highest of the high-end. It's not cheap, but the atmosphere makes it worth a visit even if you're not going to walk out with a brand-new pair of Manolo slingbacks.
Store owner Elena Brennan fills her
under-the-radar footwear boutique with funky men’s and women’s shoes from designer names like Irregular Choice, United Nude, and Jeffrey Campbell.
Crash Bang Boom is South Street's resource for dog collars and Manic Panic. Born out of iconic punk shop Zipperhead, the store has been keeping Philadelphians in leather and studs in one form or another since 1980.
Owners Julie and Isaiah Zagar opened this gallery in 1968 after three years in the Peace Corps in Peru, and ever since, they've been selling Latin American crafts and jewelry. Even if you don't know Isaiah Zagar's name, you'll recognize his work instantly; he's the man responsible for South Street's mosaics, as well as the tilework that covers the interior of the store.
The cute-as-a-button Manayunk gift shop is a must for trendy housewares with a vintage edge, and it also stocks jewelry from local and national designers.
We love Lost + Found for its wallet-friendly finds. Its racks are packed with affordably-priced sundresses in the summer, and discounts are deepened with regular sales.
Philadelphia is not exactly swarming with menswear options for more dapper gentleman, but Metro Men's Clothing keeps its customers looking natty with selections from Fred Perry, Ben Sherman, and Penguin.
Founded by sisters Katie and Heather O'Neill, Mushmina contracts artisans in Africa to create handcrafted, fair-trade apparel, jewelry, and home decor.
With two additional locations "down the shore," Per Lei attracts professional women with a mix of designers labels like Tibi, DVF, Trina Turk, and Rebecca Taylor.
Style and sustainability go hand in hand at SA VA as the eco-conscious boutique uses fair-trade, eco-friendly materials to create its eponymous line of women’s apparel. garments sold at SA VA are made in the boutique's adjacent garment center. (Image credit: R Kennedy for GPTMC)
In need of a wedding gift or a housewarming present? This longstanding boutique is a go-to for tasteful housewares plus jewelry and accessories from local and global labels.
This Bryn Mawr boutique outfits Main Line ladies in the lastest fashions from Milly, Tibi, DVF, Theory, and Alice and Olivia. The store has a twin location in Stone Harbor, New Jersey.
With a bubblegum pink exterior fit for a modern day Barbie, Smak Parlour satiates the shopping itch with frilly frocks, embellished cardigans, and more from lesser-known names like Many Belles Down and Ark & Co. The boutique also attracts attention for its house-label, rockabilly-meets-pin-up style clothing line. (Image credit: B. Krist for GPTMC)
The most sought-after trends and designers are represented at this trendy Old City boutique. Shoppers can count on Third Street Habit to carry contemporary ready-to-wear from labels like Rag & Bone and Rodebjer, but it’s the boutique’s exclusive selection of apparel from Isabel Marant’s Etoile line that really puts this shop on the map.
Whether you're a true outdoorsman or just want to look like one, Trove General is a one-stop-shop for labels like Pendleton, Filson, Woolrich, Levis, and Blundstone. The Main Line store also carries housewares and apothecary.
Ubiq has been selling streetwear for over a decade now, so it's safe to assume they know their stuff. Go for brands like Adidas, Stussy, and Vans, all of whom have collaborated with the store on special projects.
This Old City boutique displays a well-edited selection of vintage alongside women’s duds from the coolest emerging designers. Think shoes from Rachel Comey and Swedish Hasbeens, jewelry from Philly’s own Bario Neal, plus apparel from a mix of local and national labels.
Newly relocated to Old City, this swanky boutique stock the latest looks from designers like Stella McCartney, Lela Rose, and Peter Som, and it’s the only shop in the Philadelphia area to house apparel by The Row.
At this Rittenhouse Square shop, turquoise blue walls envelope women's apparel, accessories, and jewelry from a range of emerging, under-the-radar designers.
The only store in Philly with its own in-house line of liqueurs, woodsy-vibed
Art in the Age supplies both genders with clothing and accessories from a mix of indie and American labels like Penfield, Steven Alan, and Woolrich.
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