Best of Philly: Women’s Shopping

Images via Instagram | @theritualritual and @meadowsweetmercantile

Best of Philly 2016 is now online as well as at newsstands. Check out the best in women’s shopping as well as the rest of the best in food, drink, shopping, beauty, health, fitness, fun and games.

Women’s shopping is something we hold near and dear to our hearts here at Shoppist. It’s the very basis of our print and online content and a cornerstone of Philly’s bustling retail scene. While we’ve already nailed down the 50 best shops in the city, we’ve found some new gems that’ll upgrade your closet instantly. Here’s the best of best of women’s shopping in Philadelphia.

CONSIGNMENT SHOP: Addiction Studios
The labels are covetable (DVF, Chanel, Alaia, Louboutin), the prices are fair (a $48 Dior scarf), and, thanks to a whip-quick weekly rotation, the selection never feels picked over. Follow the shop’s Instagram for first crack at new arrivals.

INSTAGRAM FLASH DEALS: Skirt (@shopskirt)
Instead of clogging your inbox with another store newsletter, follow the feed of this boutique triumvirate, which posts about trade-in days when you can donate garments in exchange for store credit; holiday flash sales; and free gifts with purchase. (They’ve given away goodies like Vince scarves and Sundry tees.) But be prepared to drop and shop: Most deals are announced day-of.

INSTAGRAM FOR VINTAGE CLOTHES: Greatest Friend (@greatestfriend)
While Greatest Friend’s Kensington showroom is worth a visit, it’s the well-curated Instagram shop that has us clicking the refresh button with alarming frequency. Owner Angela Winter Means posts tidy images of lacy frocks, ’70s gowns and mid-century Japanese dresses, complete with measurements and prices. All it takes is a quick DM to make them yours.

JEWELRY: Ritual Ritual
Skip the crystals and dream catchers and head straight for the amassing of jewelry, most crafted in-house and others by little-known jewelry designers from around the country. Look for owner Angela Monaco’s line, Concrete Polish; crystal-encrusted necklaces by Material Poetry; badass earrings from Hell Hound; and major silver cuffs from Sticks + Stones.

NEW BOUTIQUE: Egan Rittenhouse
Call us gluttons, but ever since Kate Egan opened her jewelry store back in 2008, we’ve been aching for her to do more. Finally, she has, in the form of this three-month-old gift shop in the Rittenhouse Hotel, where she stocks elegant luxuries like French linen caftans, Pehr Designs mobiles, Alumnae sandals, and flower creations by Terrain floral designer Matthew Muscarella, all worthy ways to woo out-of-town hotel guests and locals alike.

NEW SISTER SHOP: Ps & Qs For Her
After three years of catering to the city’s coolest dudes and fielding desperate pleas for a women’s section from their equally hip girlfriends, men’s shop Ps & Qs opened a sister store mere blocks from the original outpost. The sequel boasts a familiar, albeit feminine, aesthetic, and stocks a style-forward lineup of slim-cut joggers, tailored collared shirts and chic Tretorn kicks. They also sell children’s clothes — because what little one doesn’t need a Pendleton poncho?

SHOP FOR LOCAL DESIGNERS: MAARK Concept
This six-month-old boutique corrals Philly’s fiercest fledgling design talent (Senpai + Kohai, Lobo Mau, Meri + Fete) into one boundary-pushing space, proving that the cool kids don’t always hightail it to New York.

SHOP FOR THE MODERN HIPPIE: Ella’s Grove
Where fringe, fur, studs, suede, denim and diamonds all live happily together.

SHOPPING EXPERIENCE: Rikumo
Champagne? Pfft. A glass of bubbly on arrival seems downright pedestrian stacked against the complimentary tea bar, aromatherapy, spa-like pond and library filled with art books housed inside this Über-Zen Japanese import shop. Plan ahead to hit monthly events; a recent bash offered charcoal-based beauty treatments on the cheap.

SHORE SHOP: Scout Clothing and Decor
This isn’t your typical Shore shop, heaped with flashy tanks, ankle bracelets and beach-themed trinkets. Here you’ll find vintage treasures (embellished clutches, sparkly jewelry, retro glassware) tucked among relaxed denim, soft tees, and light, airy dresses you need for summer. Leave room in your weekender for the covetable gifts and home goods, too, because there’s no way you’re walking away without a rosemary sea salt candle or Jonathan Adler decorative dish.

SURPRISING STORE FOR FITNESS GEAR: Century 21
Nevermore will you sift through the tangled, messy-workout-wear section of Marshalls, once you discover the on-trend, well-organized racks at this off-price behemoth. Expect marked-downs on Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Calvin Klein and more.

WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE: Shop Sixty Five
One look at owner Linda LaRosa, always outfitted in a rocker tee, leather jacket and ripped skinnies, and you’ll want to be her — or at least crib her style. Luckily, she provides the building blocks at her boutique, which stocks Rag & Bone jeans, IRO leather jackets, Thomas Wylde tunics, Dannijo jewelry, and everything else you need to look like one of Rittenhouse’s most discerning shoppers.

WOMEN’S VINTAGE: Meadowsweet Mercantile
The carefully pared-down selection is organized by style (bohemian, rocker, minimalist), so you never have to hunt here. Also worth a perusal: the shop’s impressive selection of handmade lifestyle goods, including ceramics, art, bags, and handwoven Turkish towels and robes designed in the back of the shop.

WORK CLOTHES YOU COULD WORK OUT IN
If Apple sold clothing, it would probably be something like the pieces at Kit and Ace, which are crafted of patented technical fabrics that are anti-pilling, machine-washable-and-dryable, four-way stretchy, wrinkle-resistant and moisture-wicking — yup, just like your Lululemon yoga pants. But unlike Lululemon, these clothes actually deserve to be worn outside of gym class.