Best of Philly

Best Boutique

2022 Best 50-Year Old Boutique That's Still Going Strong

Joan Shepp

Joan Shepp — both the store and the woman behind it — has dominated the Philly fashion conversation since 1971. Whether filling the racks with unknown labels on the edge of global greatness (Maison Margiela) or launching a Y-3 shop-in-shop (a collab between Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto) years before the concept would go mainstream, Shepp, along with daughter Ellen, seems to always be consulting a couture crystal ball. Read More »

1811 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA Website

2021 Best New Boutique

Midnight Lunch Studio

This boutique is both woman-owned and woman-curated, selling artwork, housewares and clothing designed and made by women or people of color. Pick up floral prints, paintings and photographs, or snag peace-sign candles and stress-relief shower steamers to make your home feel like a sanctuary. Read More »

20 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA Website

2021 Best Retro General Store

Weavers Way Mercantile

The Weavers Way Co-Op has long been a part of the Mount Airy community (48 years and counting!), but the mercantile shop across the street opened in 2016. The space itself — a former­ garage — makes for a highly pleasant browsing experience, and the home goods and vintage clothes on offer will add retro personality to any home or closet. It’s not just limited to secondhand goods, though: Ceramics, candles, jewelry and more from local makers serve as reminders of the area’s rich artistic history. Read More »

559 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA Website

2021 Best Ceramics Shop

Ceramic Concept

Last November, Stefani Threet opened this storefront in the West Philly neighborhood where she grew up. You’ll find pieces by nearly 120 artists, many of whom are makers of color, women and/or Philly locals. A mug wall provides a tangible way to compare cups; we’re eyeing the collar necklaces from Melted Porcelain. Read More »

5015 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA Website

2020 Best Way to Feel Fancy While Working From Home

Vestige

When the novelty of wearing sweats 24/7 wears off, head to this shop, where casual-comfy-chic dressing was being elevated to an art form well before the pandemic. Everything here — from the cream-colored elastic-waist pants to the gauzy maxi dresses to the dusty blue foam-soled leather slides — is breezy, loose, and insanely wearable. Read More »

2041 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA | 267-457-3088 | Website

2018 Best Store You Could Spend All Day In

United By Blue

UBB’s woodsy new flagship is thrice as big as its former location, so you’ll want to devote serious time to shopping its coveted supply of urban-lumberjack goods, like durable bags, clothing, tents, paddles and enamelware. Fuel up mid-visit at the in-store coffee bar (which looks like a cabin), and pretend – if just for an afternoon – that you’re out in Mother Nature and not, you know, smack in the middle of Old City. Read More »

205 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-278-7858 | Website

2018 Best Secret Shopping Speakeasy

ToBox

ToBox has racked up a handful of BOP nods for its shoe selection, and yes, that’s still the main reason to visit. But if you go just to hang out in its tucked-away man cave – a moody, mellow haven where top customers can unwind with cocktails from personal whiskey cages – well, we wouldn’t blame you. Read More »

1822 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-644-9435 | Website

2018 Best Philly-Centric Tees

South Fellini

Our landmarks, lexicon and legends cheekily immortalized in cotton, so you can wear your love of Fairmount Park, South Philly, the Divine Lorraine, Dr. J and Wawa on your chest. Read More »

1507 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA | 267-751-3667 | Website

2018 Best New Women’s Boutique

Atlantic

If we had known that Chestnut Hill resident Colleen Darby Wurts moonlights as the owner of Nantucket’s vaunted Atlantic boutique, we would have begged her to open a Philly location years ago. Thankfully, she has, and her shop mixes relaxed, beachy appeal with just-edgy-enough pieces she specially commissions for her shelves. Read More »

8434 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA | 215-842-5924

2018 Best Men’s Boutique

Franklin & Poe

For the stylish and the wannabe-stylish, this men’s (and women’s!) shop stocks wares both hipster (Fishtown t-shirts) and rugged (jeans from Swedish brand Indigo-fera Prima and Iron Heart jackets). The overall look: quietly – but completely – cool. Read More »

1817 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA | 215-821-9402 | Website