Top Shops
Where to find unique clothes,
items and then some around the city
by Nayiri Krikorian

For Maria Von Trapp, it was cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels. For me, it’s Barney’s and Anthropologie.

If you’re reading this, chances are you enjoy shopping. In my case, I kinda love it. It isn’t even the act of buying that gets me; it’s seeing what’s out there – the novel, the unusual, the well-designed – and there are a few places I enjoy visiting again and again, just to see what’s new.

Between Porter and Harvard Squares sits Abodeon; the boxy, glass-fronted shop is chock-full of modern and vintage finds, ranging from Scandinavian tables and Iittala glasswares to Bodum home accessories and polypropylene chairs. Here you can while away an afternoon simply by fiddling with the quirky Lomography cameras, or trying on mid-century bangle bracelets. Just make sure to look up – literally. Hanging from the ceiling and perched upon high shelves is an amazing lighting selection, with contemporary put-it-together, puzzle-style chandeliers sharing space with 1930s-created anglepoise lamps.

Though less authentic, Anthropologie specializes in vintage-style items with a “one-of-a-kind” flair. It’s true that the wares here are mass-produced, and it’s no secret that the chain’s parent company is Urban Outfitters. Also, the massive space may seem overwhelmingly full of merchandise, and it can be difficult to understand spending almost two hundred dollars on a sweater. Regardless, I love this store. It definitively carries my three requirements - novel, unusual, well-designed. Where else in Boston could I possibly find a Casch Copenhagen cardigan with extra buttonholes and scrunchy turtleneck collar, or swingy, asymmetrical sweatshirt by the Swedish line Allihop?

Afterward, drop into The Globe Corner Bookstore. This isn’t just my premier destination for my travel book collection, but also language guides, travel-writing anthologies and maps. Recently, I purchased an historic map of Paris, and drooled over a gorgeous, coffee table-sized Armenian cookbook. An added plus: The Globe picks a “Destination of the Month” and takes fifteen percent off related travel books.

It’s rare that I can slake my book-appetite; when in Harvard Square, this means a detour to comic book mini-emporium Million Year Picnic, where I'm able to stock up on both mainstream and indie printings. The compact, subterranean space is well-organized, yet jam-packed with great stuff spanning several genres. Whether I'm in the mood for capes-and-tights stories, angst-ridden narratives or fantasy-driven tales, I know I can find satisfaction here. It helps to know that, no matter who’s working, great music will be playing, from Nick Drake to Jurassic 5 to The Smiths.

Would it be possible for me to write anything without mentioning Barney’s?  Should I pretend I feel less than love for practically every item within its 46,000 square feet?  While the sales staff here does operate on commission, there’s no pressure to put down the plastic on anything within this bright, airy space. The big kicker about Barney’s isn’t just what’s for sale – it’s what’s on sale. Show some restraint and wait until season’s end; I guarantee you’ll save, sometimes even as much as sixty percent on Rick Owens, Jovovitch-Hawk and Balenciaga.

I've professed adoration for two chains, but the truth is I love supporting local businesses even more than I love Barney’s – which is why I truly love Stel’s. It has novel, unusual and well-designed all but oozing out of its brick walls and concrete floors with its selection of Alexandre Herchcovitch, Gary Graham and YMC. Aside from the very cool merchandise, Stel’s is run by probably the most hospitable boutique-owners around – Tina Burgos, Jon Callahan and Dave Nauyokas – who each make a point of welcoming and meeting every person to enter the store. If that level of friendly service – combined, of course, with the fantastic offerings – doesn’t make Stel’s a favorite, nothing will.

Unique Boutiques Around Boston
Abodeon
1731 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
617.497.0137
www.abodeon.com

Anthropologie
799 Boylston Street, Boston
617.262.0545
www.anthropologie.com

Barney's New York
Copley Place
100 Huntington Avenue, Boston
617.385.3300
www.barneys.com

French Dressing
49 River Street, Boston
617.723.4968
www.frenchdressinglingerie.com

The Globe Corner Bookstore
90 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge
617.497.6277
www.globecorner.com

Hempest
207 Newbury Street#1, Boston
617.421.9944
www.hempest.com

Million Year Picnic
99 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge
617.492.6763
www.themillionairepicnic.com

Moxie
51 Charles Street, Boston
617.557.9991
www.moxieboston.com

Nomad
1741 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
617.497.6677
www.nomadcambridge.com

Wish
49 Charles Street, Boston
617.227.4441
www.wishstyle.com