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In Philadelphia, owner-operated shops are a way of life — and have been since the 17th century.
Independent storefronts fit naturally into the city’s fabric; their size and spirit thrive amid similarly independent restaurants, bars and cafes in close-knit neighborhoods.
It’s perhaps no surprise that, when it comes to outfitting the ladies, Philadelphia’s indie shops are the way to go. Also not too surprising: The city’s recent surge of upscale boutiques and haberdasheries that have followed Philly’s surge of stylish residents and visitors.
Certainly pleasantly surprising to shoppers: Philadelphia levies no sales tax on apparel or shoes.
Here are some standout, sought-after, Philly-proud indie womenswear shops.
The team at Alice Alexander designs, manufactures and sells its chic, size-inclusive clothing all in one space in East Falls. Shoppers can find colorful dresses, skirts, eco-friendly jackets and more.
Where: Alice Alexander, 4056 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Note: This store is currently closed for renovations.
Ashley Austin Boutique specializes in everything accessories, shoes and jewelry. Bonus: The Kennett Square shop regularly offers special discounts and sales and is open seven days a week.
Where: Ashley Austin Boutique, 106 W. State Street, Kennett Square, PA
Esteemed circa 1940 clothier Boyds carries topline men’s and women’s fashion. Four polished floors display Alexander Wang, Cushnie, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada, Marchesa, Proenza Schouler and more alongside in-house tailors, custom valet parking and personal shoppers.
Where: Boyds, 1818 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
This Old City spot is known and loved for its staff of fit experts. Slim, distressed, dark, flare, pencil, straight, bootcut, styles for work or for play are all on the menu, as is the store’s American-made denim brand, Sebastian McCall Jeans, named for the store’s owner.
Where: Charlie's Jeans, 311 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
This Best of Philly 2019 award-winning shop caters to women who wear sizes 12 to 28. Guests at Curve Conscious can shop hand-selected looks in-store and sell or swap clothes, shoes and accessories.
Where: Curve Conscious, 2719 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
The apparel and accessories at Downerss give off laid-back, bohemian vibes. The airy storefront also supplies accessories, home and beauty products by local and sustainable brands like By Ren, Forge & Finish, Printfresh and more.
Where: Downerss, 2026 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Chestnut Hill is the second location of a trendy, Avalon, New Jersey-born boutique from Pennsylvania native sisters/owners Liz and Laura Rymar. Shoppers can find fashion-forward skirts, dresses, tops and more. Bonus: ellelauri also has a retail outlet store in Hatboro.
Where: ellelauri, 8617 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
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ellelauri outlet, 17 S. Penn Street, Hatboro, PA
At Erdon, recherché international designers such as Ivan Grundahl, Closed, Alexa Chung and Johnny Farah mix in a spare space that feels right at home amid Old City’s art galleries.
Where: Erdon, 162 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
At The Geisha House, the dresses are trendy but wearable, and the jewelry is just funky enough. The shop also sells swimwear, rompers, jackets and more.
Where: The Geisha House, 149 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Joan Shepp has been a Philadelphia fashion powerhouse since 1971. Named by Harper’s Bazaar as one of the country’s style leaders, she and daughter Ellen stock their 9,000-square-foot store with designer womenswear from Maison Margiela, Dries Van Noten, Comme des Garçons and Balenciaga, along with local designers.
Where: Joan Shepp, 1811 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Owner Joey Clark’s 700-square-foot women’s boutique stocks reasonably priced basics — white button-downs, distressed denim, sleek jumpsuits — from designers like The Fifth Label, Eugenia Kim and Vetiver. Customers stay apprised of Kin’s latest looks via the shop’s Instagram.
Where: Kin, 1014 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
Those who snag the indie men’s and women’s duds at Lost + Found get great looks at affordable prices. Accessories, jewelry and vintage pieces round out a successful shopping trip.
Where: Lost + Found, 133 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
M Concept is a must-visit boutique for shoppers seeking stylish clothing and jewelry by local design labels, including Damiano Collection, West Oak Design and Penrose Design Studio.
Where: M Concept, 1540 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
Styles by Milan Harris, the designer and creator of Philly-based luxury streetwear brand Milano di Rouge, have been worn by huge celebrities like Angela Simmons, Blac Chyna, Lil’ Kim and Meek Mill. The Spring Garden Street shop sells bodysuits, leggings, sweatshirts, tees and more adorned with the brand’s name.
Where: Milano Di Rouge, 1509 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA
In her by-appointment-only atelier NINOBrand, Bela Shehu designs future classic, monochromatic street-to-opera wear for women.
Where: NINObrand, 333 S. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA
More than jumpsuits, rompers, bodysuits and going-out wear, this personal stylist boutique owned by Crystal Jackson is a one-stop shop for beauty. The airy, welcoming Germantown space also offers on-site manicures and makeup by esthetician Sade Jennine.
Where: Perfectly Flawless Boutique, 5312 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Breezy atelier Rennes showcases designers using both natural fibers and sustainable practices. House-brand leather goods display alongside flowing garments crafted by international makers Casey Casey and Maison de Soil.
Where: Rennes, 135 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
The warm, chic storefront sells vintage clothing, holistic body care, new and used books, eclectic housewares, jewelry and leather bags. TSC also holds lifestyle and yoga workshops and recently reopened inside Fashion District Philadelphia.
Where: The Sable Collective, 1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Bucks County émigré Shop Sixty Five serves up cosmopolitan denim, knitwear, dresses, bags and jewelry via labels such as Michelle Mason, Burning Torch, Helmut Lang, Rag & Bone and more.
Where: Shop Sixty Five, 128 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Shop Sixty Five, 53 W. State Street, Doylestown, PA
Main Line mainstay Skirt brought a battalion of personal stylists to Rittenhouse Square to better meet Philly’s demand for Veronica Beard, Theory, Elizabeth and James, DVF, on-point denim, office and cocktail wear.
Where: Skirt, 212 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Skirt, 931 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA
Take fun and flirty, and blend in a little quirky chic, and that’s the look of Smak Parlour’s carefully curated merchandise by fashion mavens Abby Kessler and Katie Lubieski.
Where: Smak Parlour, 219 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Elegant Rittenhouse Square boutique Sophy Curson has serviced debutants and doyennes since 1929. Fun fact: The owners are the niece and great-nephew of the shop’s eponymous founder. Shoppers can find everything in the decorous display here, including ball gowns and blue jeans. Note: Shoppers make requests rather than browse racks.
Where: Sophy Curson, 122 S. 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Old City stalwart Sugarcube is known for its thoughtful collection of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories from designers like A.P.C., For Love & Lemons, Lavender Brown and more.
Where: Sugarcube, 124 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Women’s clothing store and showroom Toile features ready-to-wear clothing, jewelry and accessories by local designers, along with in-house alterations by owner and designer Bianca De Pietro.
Where: Toile, 1333 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Totem Brand Co. on South Street stocks outdoorsy, made-in-the-U.S. men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and lifestyle goods by Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Canada Goose, Red Wing Heritage, Shinola, Barbour, Sorel and more.
Where: Totem Brand Co., 535 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
Trove General Store peddles an eclectic mix of clothing, shoes, bags and homewares at its spacious Paoli storefront. Its collection of rain boots, utility jackets, flannel shirts and light-weight tees cater to active, outdoorsy types.
Where: Trove General Store, 82 E. Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, PA
Known for attracting sneakerheads seeking limited-edition releases and exclusive collaborations, Ubiq also sells trendy women’s athleisure pieces by brands like Converse, Puma, Stussy and more buzzy brands.
Where: Ubiq, 1509 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
A pioneering Old City women’s boutique, Vagabond draws regulars for its Philly-knit sweaters and on-point, affordable-to-splurge-worthy clothing by Black Crane, Voloshin, Riverside Tool & Dye, plus shoes, jewelry and gifts.
Where: Vagabond, 37 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Vestige thoughtfully curates a selection of women’s apparel by designers like B Sides, Natalie Martin, Caron Callahan, Are Studio and more. The charming shop also stocks a variety of accessories, home goods and apothecary, and hosts events.
Where: Vestige, 2041 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
This husband-and-wife owned store is all about the bohemian style, created with hand-printed natural fibers and traditional hand embroidery. Shoppers can book an appointment or stop by the store Wednesdays through Fridays. Bonus: All in-store purchases get a 10% discount.
Where: Voloshin, 2930 Jasper Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
There’s plenty to peruse — and clothing and shoes are tax-free!