Today I thought I would throw it back to a post from last Spring. I have to admit, I do not shop at these stores as much as I used to, especially since I now work outside the city. However, my opinions hold true and I stand behind the reviews and grades.
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As a full year of residency in Boston approaches, I have successfully found a slew of boutiques hidden in Boston’s varied neighborhoods. Don’t get me wrong, specialized stores and high-end retailers are great, but there is something to be said for a small shop tucked in between. I have rated the following three of my favorite boutiques based on inventory, designer selection, and convenience. I have also graded their customer service on a letter scale.
1) Crush Boutique (131 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114): Crush is one of my newer finds in the city. Located in a basement retail space on Charles St. of Beacon Hill, Crush offers a true boutique feel. From the fitting rooms to the racks of beautiful and unique clothing, the store feels like it’s meant to be there, or that you stumbled into some hidden gem. Boasting brands such as Alice + Olivia, Fornash, Ella Moss, and Parker, Crush truly has something for everyone. Customer Service: A+
2) LIT Boutique (236 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113): I’m a little partial to LIT because it is literally right next door to my apartment. Whenever I am bored, or have time to kill, or just feel like looking at pretty clothes, I wander into LIT. They always have an updated collection of the latest trends, seemingly never missing a beat on the fashion scene. If you’re looking to add some BB Dakota, Talulah, Flying Tomato, and Tulle to your closet, LIT is the place to shop. Customer Service: B+
3) North River Outfitter (NRO) (122 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114): If you’re on the preppy side, like myself, NRO may seem like a Kiel James Patrick catalogue come to life. They have a solid selection of Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, and Tory Burch as well as some great coffee table books and accessories to boot. Overall, it’s a one-stop shop for all things prep. If you frequent Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard, make sure you stop in their stores there too. Customer Service: B-
You will especially love NRO if you are a big fan of Tuckernuck
Happy shopping!
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I think it's funny how much I have changed just in a little under a year. I think that my style has evolved and I would no longer consider myself strictly preppy. I definitely appreciate my Jack Rogers sandals and my Lilly Pulitzer during the summer months, but now I mix it up with more bohemian silhouettes and a variety of patterns. Luckily, all of these boutiques carry styles that work perfectly with my closet (which is why I'm still such a fan of them)!
Hopefully this throwback post inspired you to get out there and shop in your local community. It's very important to support the smaller businesses in your area!
