Café Society
When it comes to looking good, creativity is key. Learn to express yourself, piece together original outfits, and steer away from mass-marketed merchandise by heading to Café Society. The store's well-priced mix of vintage shoes, bags, hats, and jewelry—all in good condition—calls to mind your mother's closet, circa 1960. Embracing the old never felt so cool. 131 Cypress St., Brookline, MA .
Marathon Sports
The wall of New Balance, Nike, Brooks, and Saucony sneakers is just for starters. Marathon Sports also stocks running maps, reflective vests, fuel belts, and fun gadgets. But what really keeps us coming back to this repeat Best of Boston winner is the service. Staffers here will analyze your stride—after you take a self-conscious sprint down the sidewalk—before slipping your foot into the perfect shoe. 671 Boylston St., Boston, MA marathonsports.com.
Blades Board and Skate
Tired of being left in the dust on the Esplanade? Replace your outdated ski-boots-on-wheels with a pair of the newest in light, breathable, vibration-damping models. Whether you're going for speed or fun, entry-level or advanced, Blades's knowledgeable staff will guide you to the perfect pair. And though you may shun safety gear, the folks at Blades don't, with their large selection of helmets, pads, and other accessories. You can always compensate with hip, urban skating ensembles, also in ample supply here. 349A Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Royal Jewelers
Chances are the jewelry you saw on the pages of a national fashion magazine is under the glass at Royals. Penny Preville, Kisselstein-Cord, SeidenGang, Doris Panos, TechnoMarine, and Philippe Chariol are just some of the designers represented at this family-run business, which has catered to the North Shore area for 50 years. Look for a store face-lift this fall that will add an in-house David Yurman boutique. 58 Main Street, Andover, MA royaljewelers.com.
Uniform
A small but well-thought-out selection of hats, bags, bathing suits, shirts, and pants from brands both familiar (Levi's) and niche (the U.K.-bred collection Brixton) means that even if you don't know your way around a dressing room, you'll walk out of here looking like you do. 511 Tremont St., Boston, MA uniformboston.com.
Mint Julep
We feel pretty—and fizzy and funny and fine—every time we enter Brooke Garber and Stephanie Nist's boutiques. They stock the fete-ready dresses we've come to expect, plus pieces from favorite brands like Yumi Kim, Myne, and Milly that inject style into our workaday and weekend wardrobes, too. The fact that we can build whole outfits here, from foundations (neon Hanky Panky thongs) to finishing touches (flirty JoJo earrings), makes Mint Julep worth toasting. 1302 Beacon St., Brookline, MA shopmintjulep.com.
Andover Bookstore
A working fireplace and mismatched, well-worn furniture make the Andover look more like a private library than a retail store. The atmosphere at this 200-year-old spot (the second-oldest bookshop in the country) is neither modern nor musty—just wonderfully comfortable. The selection, meanwhile, is something you'll never find on Amazon—an essential collection of both classic and contemporary work, enhanced by a highly educated staff with an enthusiasm for the written word that is nothing short of contagious. 89 Main St., Andover, MA 1810, andoverbookstore.com.
Barmakian Jewelers
Shopping at most fine jewelers evokes the sorts of feelings you had on the first day of freshman year: You are definitely being judged. But that's never the case at Barmakian, where the staff is just as inviting as the big selection of pearl earrings, ruby necklaces, Swiss watches, and more. If you're chasing trends, check out the gothic stylings of Scott Kay. But for a piece that lasts, look at the vast spread of engagement rings. 333 Washington St. #720, Boston, MA 2108, barmakian.com.
Nordstrom
Now with four locations in Greater Boston—Natick, Burlington, Peabody, and a new outpost in Braintree—Nordstrom has the area's most exhaustive supply of dress shoes, boots, sneakers, and sandals. If this sounds overwhelming, know that staffers here are adept at recognizing the clueless shopper. These special agents can solve nearly any footwear dilemma and help you navigate brand names like Converse, John Varvatos, Ferragamo, and Santoni. 290 Speen St., Natick, MA 1760, nordstrom.com.
Serenella
Owner Leslee Shupe Korff believes in reviving the lost art of feminine dressing—tailored skirt, statement coat, and well-paired heels (always heels)—and her immaculately edited shop follows suit. The best looks from upscale labels like Narciso Rodriguez, Versace, and Bottega Veneta mingle with obscurer gems, most recently from shoemaker Joey McMakin and French dress designer Sophie Theallet. 134 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 2116, serenella.com.
Scandia Down Shops
So the stuffing's been knocked out of it, the cat scratched a hole in the ticking, and it's starting to look a little shabby. This is the store devoted solely to high-end year-round or seasonal duvets and linens. The staff will also arrange to wash, repair, and refurbish any of its models—from the 29-ounce, 330-thread count, white Hungarian goose-down Gossamer to the 37-ounce, 340-thread-count Hungarian goose-down Versailles. The Mall at Chestnut Hill, 199 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA .
Kitchen Arts
A good sharp knife makes the difference between sawing through cooking chores and slicing through them. Don't get sucked into the manufacturer's preselected set of top quality knives. Kitchen Arts discounts all the top brands (up to 30 percent off three or more knives). Best prices around for Wusthof, the BMW of cutlery. Knowledgeable salespeople help you assemble your at-home arsenal. 161 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Bob Smith Sporting Goods
Just because it's not the biggest doesn't mean it's not the best. Anyone who shells out $1,000 for skis, boots, poles, and the attendant paraphernalia might want to come back for adjustments or advice—and at Bob Smith you can. The helpful salespeople won't give you the hard sell, but will listen attentively when you describe your skiing needs and what type of skier you are. 9 Spring Lane, Boston, MA .
Silver Whisk Bake Shop
Photo by Jessica K. Feiden Textured buttercream, edible gold leaf, and handmade sugar flowers aplenty: Owner Nancy Zhou’s attention to detail is simply stunning. And sure, you could go with plain old vanilla, but where’s the fun in that? Select from unique flavors such as Key-lime coconut or chocolate-matcha-and-black-sesame to treat yourself to a cake that tastes as good as it looks. silverwhiskbakeshop.com.
Fig.a
Photo by Michaela Hundahl Shops, like people, are most interesting when they have a strong point of view — and that’s definitely the case at this pretty Hingham boutique dedicated to all things lifestyle. From workout gear to outerwear to home goods, everything here is imbued with a chic, minimalist aesthetic. Owner Aja Amontea also makes it a point to source brands dedicated to sustainability, meaning shopping here will not only make you look and feel good, it’ll also help you do good. 102 North St., Hingham, MA 02043, fig-a.com.