Best of Philly 2014 Preview: Shopping and Style
Best Casual Clothing for the Fashion-Forward Guy: Armour
Subtly futuristic button-ups and vests, delightfully odd wooden bow ties and lapel pins, custom-made patchwork tote bags by Philly designer Hamid Holloman the collection here is unexpected in the best way possible, and solidifies what we knew all along: Fashion in Philly isn’t just for the girls. 704 South 4th Street, Queen Village, 267-928-2002.
Best New Boutique: Style Camp
Owned by mom-daughter duo Bitsy
and Natalie Rhoda, this year-old shop, which recently settled into a bigger location at the top of Germantown Avenue, is sort of like an Instagram filter: The clothes and accessories in it — from both revered and indie brands, like Kowtow, Saint James and Paper Denim — make you look chicer than you might actually be. 8433 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, 215-242-3108.
Best Vintage: Malena’s Vintage
This is where designers and stylists for brands like Free People come to score vintage inspiration. Ask nicely, and Malena might walk you around the corner to her new, semi-secret private showroom, packed with treasures (arranged by decade) that will make vintage hounds go weak in the knees. 101 West Gay Street, West Chester, 610-738-9952.
Best Shopping Scene: Wayne
The Main Line shopping scene has always been, if not exactly groundbreaking, doggedly solid. But recently, while no one was looking, a slew of amazing boutiques — eco-conscious Element Six, date night go-to Jade’s Closet, beachy-cool Eaves — turned the prep-centric town into a high-style shopping destination.
Best Salon: Salon Vanity
This salon is run like a publicly traded company — there are apprentice programs, regular group training sessions, and benchmarks to keep all stylists operating at a consistently high level. But everyone here is still focused on making things personal: Varying shades of color are hand-painted on for a French-girl look; retexturizing treatments (waves, smoothing) can be applied to only the areas that need them; cuts are of the moment, but never overdone (unless, of course, your goal is bold — they’re great at that, too). 1701 Walnut Street, third floor, Rittenhouse, 215-925-2211.
See the rest of our shopping and style picks in the August 2014 issue of Philadelphia magazine, on newsstands now, or subscribe today. Then join us at the Best of Philly Bash at Citizens Bank Park on August 12th!
