Alan Bilzerian
Resident style maves Alan and Bé Bilzerian and Best of Boston hall of famers. / Photo by Ken Richardson. The only thing greater than the number of Best of Boston awards Alan Bilzerian has scooped up over the years? The tally of world-famous designers he’s introduced not just to Boston, but the United States. Prada, Comme Des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto, and Issey Miyake are just a few big-time fashion names that lined the racks of the Worcester boutique back when he launched in 1967. “The Aerosmith guys would call me and say, ‘Can you wait for us?’” Bilzerian recalls.“‘We’re on the way to Worcester.’” Continue reading ... 34 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, alanbilzerian.com.
Gus & Ruby
Photo by Ken Richardson You can always count on this darling Charles Street stationer’s selection of cards, wrapping paper, prints, and baby gifts to be creative, cheerful, and colorful — much like best-friend founders Samantha Finigan and Whitney Swaffield themselves. And lucky for us, they recently expanded to a design studio next door to give us even more to love. 99 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, gusandruby.com.
Away
Courtesy photo Getting ready to jet off somewhere fun but worried your worn-out luggage won’t make the trip? Away’s newest location on Newbury Street has a well-tested and traveler-approved solution. The brand’s hard-sided polycarbonate suitcases are scratch-resistant and lightweight, with a minimalist silhouette and sophisticated colors. Even the wheel performance and maneuverability outpace competitors, so the suitcase won’t slow you down when you run to catch a flight. In the event they do get nicked, all Away pieces come with a handy sponge to buff it out. 179 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, awaytravel.com.
GemBox
courtesy photo The finely curated selection of pieces in Sharon Roop’s Newbury Street atelier is all about the rare and hard-to-find, including modern and estate pieces featuring radiant, precious gems in rainbow hues. The studio where Roop welcomes her clients is almost as beautiful as the jewels she sources for them: comfortably luxurious, it was designed by her husband, well-known interior designer Frank Roop, and features a gorgeous blown-glass chandelier that sparkles from the ceiling like a piece of jewelry. 38 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116, gemboxboston.com.
M. Flynn
The South End boutique from sisters and jewelry designers Moria and Megan Flynn is chock-full of fun, colorful pieces that add personality to any outfit: think lip-shaped rings in neon orange or bubblegum pink (as seen on Dua Lipa); rainbow-hued chevron bracelets; and Lucite-and-enamel hoops that look like jellies for your ears. 40 Waltham St., Boston, MA 02118, mflynnjewelry.com.
Adamas Fine Jewelry
Anto Aboyan and Veronica Sagherian create bespoke pieces withdeep personal meaning. The brother-and-sister team is especially adept at reimagining heirlooms in modern settings; trust us, you’ll be wowed by their inspiring transformation of the dated sapphire ring you inherited from Great Aunt Betty. 22 Lincoln St., Newton, MA, 02461, adamasfinejewelry.com.
Dick’s House of Sport
We quit mourning the dearly departed Lord & Taylor on Boylston Street the day this superstore opened in its place. Encompassing more than 100,000 square feet, it stocks gear for athletes in every sport — and you can test some of it out, too, in batting cages and on the indoor rock-climbing wall. 760 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, dickssportinggoods.com.
Beacon Hill Books & Café
How do you get a supermodel, an Olympian, and a U.S.senator all in the same room? With the lure of Beacon Hill Books & Café, a five-story townhouse converted in to one of the most charming spaces in the city. The bookstore is truly its own universe, offering author conversations, poetry readings, children’s activities (don’t miss the working toy train), and even speed-dating events. 71 Charles St., Boston, MA, 02114, bhbooks.com.
Gary Drug Co.
Closing in on its 90th year in business, Gary Drug is in a class by itself. Owned by the same family since the 1970s, employees are on a first-name basis with most regulars, and pharmacists or technicians are always on hand for a consult. The well-stocked store carries home medical supplies and health and beauty items, not to mention a robust newsstand with magazines you won’t find at other locations in the city. 59 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, garydrug.com.
Olfactory NYC
courtesy photo (perfume) If you’ve ever spent hours sniffing countless fragrances, fruitless in your attempt to find one that’s just right, Olfactory will be your savior. Inside this new perfume lovers’ paradise, “scentologists” will help you select one of a dozen core scents to combine with complementary notes of your choosing (think a vanilla-cedarwood base with peach notes) to create a fragrance suited to your exact desires. It’s like an über-luxurious compounding pharmacy, but for perfume. 133 Newbury St., Boston , MA 02116, olfactorynyc.com.
Glossier
courtesy photo While we love the products from this New York–based company, which made its Boston debut last year, it’s the shopping experience that has us obsessed. Instead of boxes upon boxes of product backstock on the shelves, à la those big-box beauty stores, pink-jumpsuit-clad employees disappear out of sight to wrap up your products of choice — but only after you’ve tried every shade of the “Cloud Paint” liquid blush and sampled the “After Baume” face cream, of course. 120 Newbury St., Boston , MA 02116, glossier.com.
Dress Boston
Desperate for a dress in time for dinner? Your first call should be to Dress, which can practically ferry one to you in the time it takes to make a reservation. The longtime Beacon Hill boutique always has a top selection of fresh, mod wardrobe staples from Vanessa Bruno, Nili Lotan, Ulla Johnson, and Zimmermann. And now, with a new outpost in the South End, even more local fashionistas will have the opportunity to shop coveted pieces by hard-to-find designers, along with a curated mix of fine jewelry — including a knife-edge emerald tennis bracelet by Lizzie Mandler that we’vebeen lusting after for months. Beacon Hill, South End, Boston , MA dressboston.com.
Tracksmith
courtesy photo Nicknamed the Trackhouse, this store remains the premier spot for Bostonians who want to hit the pavement in style. While the store’s signature performance Ts and sneakers are worth seeking out, it’snot just about the merch here; it’s about the community. Joining Tracksmith’s weekly running clubs or marathon training workout groups — ideally while donning the brand’s limited-edition gold chainwith a charm of mascot Eliot the hare, whose speed you can carry with you on your next run — is an experience unto itself. 285 Newbury St., Boston , MA 02115, tracksmith.com.
Peng Bags
Photo of Meichi Peng's tools by Timothy Gilman Studio. Photo of purse, courtesy. It takes Meichi Peng up to 50 hours to craft one of her bespoke handbags. (For context, Hermès artisans spend about 25 hours constructing a Kelly bag.) With painstaking precision, each of her belt bags, crossbody pouches, and totes is created with top-quality leather, canvas, cowhide hair, and even lace, with color options that could fill a rainbow. The result? Timeless and creative with a jolt of jazziness. Grace Kelly would approve. pengbags.com.
Daniela Corte
Courtesy photo of dress This Argentina-born designer believes that clothes should always make you feel like the best version of yourself, and her fresh designs make that very easy. Texture is the buzzword for Corte’s latest collection: There are vegan-leather skirts, silk dresses, and limited-edition pairs of her signature wax jeans handpainted by a local artist. The contemporary silhouettes also feature plenty of extra-special flourishes, from ruffles and draping to fringe. danielacorte.com.
Chris Donovan
Courtesy photo of shoe What’s the definition of power? A pair of killer heels, that’s what. Chris Donovan knows this. It’s why the former telephone repairman used to spend his off-hours sketching superhero footwear, and why he ultimately became a shoe designer. Now Donovan enlists talented artisans from Morocco to France to make his designs by hand. We’re particularly fond of the “Alpha” ankle boots, with heels sculpted like Batman’s Bata-rang, and bright orange “Endeavor” sandals. chrisdonovanfootwear.com.
9Tailors
Man in suit photo by Nicole Loeb No need to hop over the big pond for a bespoke Savile Row suit when you have this Boston-based gem. Founded by fashion industry veteran Jeff Lahens, 9Tailors specializes in custom suiting in all manner of styles, from slim fit to classic. Hankering for a pair of lime-green high-waisted pants? Got that. Wide legged trousers? Count on it. You can also create your own cashmere kimono-style sweater, paisley-lined blazer, or meticulously fitted cobalt dress shirt. The world is your oyster, mate. 132 Lincoln St., Boston , MA 02111, 9tailors.com.
Rooted In
Need to improve your sleep? Calm your ADHD partner? Help your mother-in-law find natural pain relief? Rooted In can do all these things in a quick store visit. Its budtenders will explain the different effects of edible gummies, tinctures, and pre-rolls, imparting so much wisdom that you’ll leave a cannabis pro. 331 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, rootedinroxbury.com.
Tourneau
With the recent explosion of luxe watch boutiques in the city, it can be tough to know where to go in search of your next timepiece. True aficionados, however, will steer you toward Tourneau, where you’ll encounter a considerable collection of the most coveted brands in the biz, including Rolex, which bought the century-old brand and its parent company last year. The sleek Copley Place shop also carries Patek Philippe, Breitling, Cartier, Omega, and a host of other leading lines. 100 Huntington Ave., Boston , MA 02116, tourneau.com.
Booty by Brabants
Hot tip: Workout onesies are back. Just ask Boston’s own Kelly Brabants, the mastermind behind the expansive athleisureline Booty by Brabants. Designed with all shapes and sizes in mind, her leggings, tops, shorts, and, yes, onesies are stretchy and flattering. Fabrics include a signature “croco skin” that moves with every squat and bench press, and the colors are simply delicious, whether you opt for grapefruit pink, eggplant purple, or tomato red. 1140 Market St, Lynnfield, MA 01940, shop.bootybybrabants.com.
Covet
If you’re looking for a classic Chanel shoulder bag, a David Yurman star burstring, or a Burberry pea coat for a fraction of the list price all under one roof, Covet is the place to go. And if you’d rather browse from the comfort of your couch, the store also posts more than a hundred items to its Instagram Stories every day. Just make sure you’re the first one to hit reply in Covet’s DMs, because that bubble gum-pink Gucci bag you’re eyeing will go quickly. Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South Boston, Boston , MA covetboston.com.
M.M.LaFleur
No longer just boardroom attire, suits are being worn by women for lots of occasions — and who can blame themwhen there’s such a fab array to choosefrom at M.M.LaFleur? Available as mix and-match separates in a slew of fabrics, several suiting styles are washable, which makes them infinitely more wearable than their dry-clean-only counterparts. Colors range from cheery to classic, and if you’re unsure of which style to select, stylists will expertly steer you toward the one that most flatters your form. 134 Newbury St., Boston , MA 02116, mmlafleur.com.
Riccardi
This Newbury Street shop counts Usher, Bruce Springsteen, and numerous NBA and NFL players among its loyal clientele. And no wonder: Riccardo Dallai Jr., who runs the store that his parents started in 1978, has a masterful way of mixing styles. Interspersed with high end fashion from the likes of Gucci, Brunello Cucinelli, Thom Browne, and Versace is streetwear from new-to-Boston designers, not to mention an incredible selection of designer jeans. 116 Newbury St., Boston , MA 02216, riccardiboston.com.
Bloomingdale’s
When it comes to finding the perfect bathing suit, the only solution is to head to a store with the most shapes, styles, and sizes known to humankind. All hail Bloomingdale’s, which devotes a healthy chunk of its Chestnut Hill real estate to bikinis, tankinis, and one-pieces. For Bond girls, there’s Agua Bendita and Ramy Brook. For the modest among us,there are classy options from Polo Ralph Lauren and La Blanca. Come on in; the water’s fine! 225 Boylston St. , Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, .
Black Owned Bos. Market
There’s something for everyone at this open-air mecca, held monthly on Seaport Common from May through October. Some 40 vendors come out to showcase their one-of-a-kind wares, including beauty and skin-care products, art, jewelry, food, pet accessories, and more. Special themes mark each event: Last year, we enjoyed slushies from the Slushy Lady during “Summer Fun” and face painting, pumpkin decorating, and autumn-inspired treats at “Fall Fest.” blackownedbos.com.
The Designers Leather Clothiers
You wouldn’t expect to find such a selection of handmade cocktail hats and fascinators in a Beacon Hill leather-goods store. But they’re all here, and they’re all fabulous, festooned with feathers, flowers, bows, beads, and lots of love. You’ll become fast friends with the charming owner, who opened the biz with her husband in the 1980s; in fact, odds are good she’ll want you to send photos of your get-up after the big event. 106 Charles St., Boston , MA 02114, designerleatherclothes.com.
Paws on Charles
It doesn’t have to be your pet’s barkday to treat them to a Paws on Charles shopping trip. The Beacon Hill biz is always stocked with the highest-end natural foods and treats — local doodles gowild for the Pupsicles — colorful leashes and collars, and the most playful chewtoys and stuffies. Even the shop’s doggie raincoats and beds are sure to turn Fido’s head! When you stop by, be sure to give resident mascot Patrick, the Dalmatian statue perched at the door, a headscratch to score a special treat for your dog. 123 Charles St., Boston , MA 02114, pawsoncharles.com.
Brown and Coconut
Your life may change when you discover that kale is good for more than just eating. It’s also a powerhouse skin-clarifying agent, with a magic mix of vitamins and antioxidants. That’s exactly what you’ll find in Boston-based skin-care line Brown and Coconut’s Clarifying Kale Mask, which promises to both moisturize and reduce fine lines. The formula is just one example of the ethos of sister-owners Zeena Brown and Letisha Izuchi, whose lineup of plant based cleansers, oils, and soaps offers yet another way to nourish your body (and soul). brownandcoconut.com.
Matsu
The Smiths invited you to their dinner party. Not just any soiree. Beef bourguignon from scratch. Cheval Blanc 1947 St-Emilion. Forget about bringing scented sachets as a thank-you gift. You need sizzle. You need wow. You need a treasure from Matsu. Count on owners Dava and Masayuki Muramatsu to deliver the goods: a fabulous ecru knot-shaped vase, petite cerulean elliptical plates, or a collection of Japanese architect Kazuhiko Tanaka’s handmade figurines. In other words, your repeat invitation is guaranteed. 76 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, matsu-boston.com.