The Shoppist Guide: 20 Best Shops on the Main Line

Once upon a time, the best shopping in the area was in the city or even, gasp, in the mall. Today, though, a host of stellar shops has found its way to the Main Line, making this spot a worthy shopping destination. From updated tried-and-tried mainstays (Valley Forge Flowers) to new kids on the block (Blue Octagon), here are the 20 best reasons to get shopping on the Main Line now. 

FOR CLOTHES

Eaves
Susan Ahn’s airy shop is equal parts edgy (Rag & Bone and IRO) and bohemian (Isabel Marant and Ulla Johnson). You’ll want it all.
105 North Aberdeen Avenue, Wayne, 610-688-4466.

Element Six Clothing
You’ll find only brands that are socially and environmentally conscious (read: no questionably crafted fast-fashion) at this Eagle Village shop. The women’s apparel and smattering of accessories are all quietly cool, by designers you probably haven’t heard of (Dessu, Diarte, Amour Vert), but should totally know.
Eagle Village Shops, 503 Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, 610-688-1519.

Jade’s Closet
Go here for body-con, color-splashed, trendy pieces perfect for date night (think: Mara Hoffman, Clover Canyon), along with the cozy basics to wear by day.
200 Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, 215-483-5675.

Knit Wit
One of the Ann Gitter’s trio of shops, this outpost stocks high-demand brands like Alexander Wang, 3.1 Phillip Lim, A.L.C. and Elizabeth & James, with plenty of ultra-wearable basics  sprinkled throughout.
905 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, 484-592-0576.

Louella
You’ll find all manner of things pink, green, monogrammed and utterly preppy here. (Head to the Wayne flagship for a broader selection; the Malvern outpost is smaller, but still well-stocked.) The label lineup is a prepster’s dream: Lilly Pulitzer (everything from dresses to agendas), Two Bees Cashmere and Vineyard Vines are heavy hitters.
227 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, 61o-293-9800, and 335 East King Street, Malvern, 610-722-4900.

Shop Sixty Five
The apparel and accessories are effortlessly cool — chunky Dannijo baubles, Helmut Lang separates, Halston dresses, Vince leather jackets, and a healthy selection of jeans.
342 Righters Mill Road, Gladwyne, 484-417-6675.

Skirt
You’ll find womenswear and accessories from go-to brands like Tibi, Rag & Bone, Equipment, Milly, Vince and Rebecca Minkoff. Some of it veers trendy (fringed bags, gladiator sandals), some of it skews classic (Frame skinny jeans, structured leather jackets), all of it is impeccably put together by the store’s helpful stylists. (Psst: A Rittenhouse location is coming this fall.)
931 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, 610-520-0222.

 

FOR ACCESSORIES

A Brandt + Son
This family-owned shop is a gold mine of high-quality antique, vintage and estate jewelry. You’ll find pieces from Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco time periods, peppered with choice estate Cartier picks. Go here for an investment piece you won’t find anywhere else.
223 Haverford Avenue, Narberth, 610-617-0993.

Barbara Ellick
This tiny shop is jam-packed with jewelry — some of it chunky costume baubles; some fine pieces (think super-delicate rose-gold and diamond pieces); some trendier picks (Alexis Bittar); and some quirky vintage. Make a point to check out the selection of bags and clutches, too.
705 Montgomery Avenue, Narberth, 610-664-7910.

Govberg Jewelers
They have jewelry here, but you’ll really want to visit for the store’s unparalleled selection of watches, from heavy-hitters like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Suburban Square, 65 St. James Place, Ardmore, 610-664-1715.

Menagerie
Go here for a pre-vacation spree: They’ve got all the breezy tunics (think: Calypso), lightweight summer scarves, chic Clare V bags, and spangly jewelry you’ll want to make room for in your suitcase. Come fall, go here for night-out clutches, statement jewelry and cute outfit add-ons.
Eagle Village Shops, 503 Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, 610-971-1769.

Mushmina
A newcomer to the Main Line scene, Mushmina stocks custom-designed Moroccan accessories and other fair-trade goods: hand-loomed lightweight cotton scarves, hand-embroidered basket bags, hand-woven pillows made from vintage fabrics, hand-stitched leather poufs from Marrakech. (Go here to make yourself look way more well-traveled than you really are.)
164 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, 610-293-8089

Trove General Store
It’s a rugged wonderland here, full of all the woodsy, American heritage clothing (Levi’s Made & Crafted, Pendleton, Woolrich), accessories (Filson bags, Normal Porter wallets, Steven Alan sunglasses), apothecary items and giftable goods you could ever want.
Paoli Shopping Center, 82 Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, 484-320-8262.

Waltzing Matilda
Everything here is handmade of top-notch leather, most of which owner Mike Balitsaris sources from factories (Coach, Red Wing, Timberland) and antiques (war-worn saddles and military ammo cases). The sandals are incredible, and you won’t want to leave without checking out the bags (weekenders, totes) and small accessories (wallets, belts, tech accessories). Tip: This is a great spot to find gifts for guys.
21 West Avenue, Wayne, 610-688-1500.

 

FOR HOME AND GIFTS

The Blue Octagon
It’s not the biggest store, but it packs a huge punch with Lucite, lacquer, gilt, a splash of Deco, a heaping of Jonathan Adler, and everything else you imagine a 1960’s Palm Beach socialite would have in her house.
335 East King Street, Malvern, 610-640-2648.

Deconstructed Living
It’s the perfect place to find a hostess/birthday/housewarming/fill-in-the-blank gift. Or, you know, something to just keep for yourself. Go here for tabletop, barware, home accessories, some furniture, throws and throw pillows, and more.
201 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, 610-975-8908.

Hammbersby
This is one of the best places to snag rare mid-century furniture, by a roster of luminaries like Alvar Aalto, Hans Wegner, Milo Baughman and plenty of others. Look specifically for Danish and Swedish mid-century modern gems.
842 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, 484-380-2096.

The Little House Shop
If you can’t find a gift here — for him, her, baby, anyone — then you can’t find a gift anywhere. Good luck walking out without a little something for yourself, too.
Eagle Village Shops, 503 Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, 610-688-3222.

UpHome
Part of the merch here is beach-y — driftwood mirrors, canvas pillows — and part is straight from France (the owner brings back weathered antiques from trips to the south of France). Aside from larger furniture pieces, there’s a great selection of smalls: china plates, linens, candles and artwork.
233 East King Street, Malvern, 484-318-7109.

Valley Forge Flowers
A new addition to this Main Line stalwart added 7,000 square feet to the already spacious garden emporium. In this two-and-a-half story barn, you’ll find outdoor living essentials (furniture, plants, garden essentials); in the original space — only 20 feet away from the barn — you can shop decor, furniture, barware, and other small accessories. Need a break? Visit their in-store cafe for mid-shopping fuel.
Eagle Village Shops, 503 Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, 610-687-5566.