The Best Independent Shops for Womenswear in Philadelphia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In her by-appointment-only atelier NINOBrand , Bela Shehu designs future classic, monochromatic street-to-opera wear for women.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.