Try Nomad for international options.
Credit/ Nicolaus Czarnecki
Cambridge offers a wealth of retail options, whether you want to spend the big bucks or prefer to go secondhand.
ADORABLE & AFFORDABLE
Nomad
Set up like a well-organized international flea market, the Porter Square boutique carries jewelry, accessories, clothing and home items from places like Mexico, Africa, Thailand and India. Owner Deb Colburn carefully curates her store with hordes of fairly traded treasures from her travels abroad.
1741 Massachusetts Ave.
www.nomadcambridge.com
Susanna
For over 20 years, Susanna’s has provided a charming shopping environment with a wide range of indie designers to suit hip ladies of any age group. The boutique offers quality, bohemian-style clothing at affordable prices and their sale items are outrageously well-priced.
1776 Massachusetts Ave.
www.susannacambridge.com
HIGH END
ALO
This chic boutique may be on the spendy side, but their unique and interesting dresses and jackets from a range of international designers prove well worth it. With an array of unusual patterns, fabrics and styles, ALO has something that can be integrated into a variety of styles and looks.
34 JFK St.
Mint Julep
This charming women’s boutique prides itself on its inventory of hand-selected designers and brands, including Splendid, J-Brand and Kensie. Whether you’re looking for an adorable dress or something more casual, they carry a range of lines suitable for all price points.
6 Church St.
www.shopmintjulep.com
Looks
The ladies at Looks are known for their keen eye for hip patterns and curating a store filled with an array of clothing, perfect for work or play. The staff’s fashion expertise shines through in their customer service and they can undoubtedly help find something elegant for any woman’s taste.
11-13 Holyoke St.
www.looksclothing.com
Monella
In need of denim? Check out Monella’s selection of J. Brand, Paper Denim, and James Perse jeans. And don’t forget about shoes. With heels and boots from Steve Madden and Jeffrey Campbell, you’ll be sure to walk out with happy feet, even if your wallet is feeling a little lighter.
29 Brattle St.
www.monellaboston.com
STREET WEAR
Concepts
Since Concepts’ early beginnings in footwear, skate and street culture, the intrepid brand has developed into a well-known worldwide retailer, slinging infamous street wear brands like Stussy and Reigning Champ. From exclusive shoe styles to emergent products from niche urbanwear lines, Concepts provides an authentic street-style shopping experience.
37 Brattle St.
www.cncpts.com
Dress your skate punk side at Kulturez.
/ Credit: Nicolaus Czarnecki
Kulturez
This unique art-driven shop proves to be the only urban shop in Boston that maintains a friendly vibe while remaining a mecca for artists, people who love art, skaters, dancers and musicians. Besides the plethora of locally designed shirts, skateboard decks and hoodies, Kulturez also regularly plays host to cool art shows and in-store performances that celebrate local acts and artists.
36 JFK St.
www.kulturez.com
VINTAGE/SECONDHAND
Oona’s
Harvard Square institution Oona’s Experienced Clothing has been dressing Greater Boston in the funkiest vintage gear from the 30s on since 1972 and is beloved for its eccentric stock and low prices. Their extensive men’s and women’s sections, full of forgotten treasures and well-crafted vintage pieces, provide customers a broad variety of styles.
1210 Massachusetts Ave.
www.oonasboston.com
Raspberry Beret
Taking its name from the Prince lyric, “She wore a raspberry beret, the kind you find in a second-hand store,” this funky consignment shop carries loads of fun accessories—from hats, scarves and jewelry to purses, gloves and belts, the tables and racks overflow with gently used goodies.
1704 Massachusetts Ave.
www.raspberryberet.us
Poor Little Rich Girl
Situated between Kendall and Inman square lies this vintage retailer. Shoppers can expect to score dazzling pieces from every era, and with prices well below typical vintage boutiques. Consignment queen and owner Meredith Byam has carefully fashioned a collection of notable vintage designer duds dedicated to big-name brands and trends.
121 Hampshire St.
www.shoppoorlittlerichgirl.com
The Garment District
The Garment District’s enormous mound of dollar-per-pound clothing is famed throughout the Boston area. With an eclectic array of vintage and contemporary clothing, this alternative department store houses heaps of contemporary, designer, and vintage collections.
200 Broadway
www.garmentdistrict.com
FUN/HOME
Joie De Vivre
1792 Massachusetts Ave.
www.joiedevivre.net
From wind up toys to eccentric clocks to classic toys like the Etch-a-Sketch, Joie De Vivre is a world of delightful items — clever, beautiful and original, as well as just plain wacky! Perfect stop for that hilarious birthday gift or quirky trinkets.
1792 Massachusetts Ave.
www.joiedevivre.net
Boutique Fabulous
Combining vintage artifacts, new, hand-crafted home décor, and fabulous local artistic creations, like gorgeous jewelry and postcards, think of Boutique Fabulous as an independently owned and much cheaper version of Anthropologie. Racks of vintage dresses and offbeat knick-knacks make this the type of place you could meander around for hours.
1309 Cambridge St.
www.boutiquefabulous.com
BUFFET-STYLE SHOPPING
CambridgeSide Galleria
This hip urban center resides on a scenic waterfront location and offers more than 120 of Boston’s favorite stores, like Macy’s and an Apple Store, specialty boutiques and restaurants. Enjoy casual dining at The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen and P.F. Chang’s, or peruse the numerous unique boutiques the Galleria has to offer.
100 CambridgeSide Place
www.cambridgesidegalleria.com
