Neiman Marcus
The biggest names in the perfume biz (Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel) are fully represented on these gleaming counters, as are scores of cult lines (Creed, Jo Malone). But the fun of buying here is chatting with the helpful salespeople, who will happily point you toward the first lady's favorite bottle or come up with a scent even your perfume-averse S.O. will find irresistible. Copley Place, Natick Collection, Boston, Natick, MA 02116, 01760, neimanmarcus.com.
Landry & Arcari
Photograph by Eric Roth What kind of broadloom carpeting does Jerry Arcari carry? "I know what everyone else has," he says, "and that's what I ;don't have." Indeed, his showroom is piled high with selections like jute-backed wool, flat-weave alpaca, even a carpet made of wood pulp. Some of it's from Germany, some comes from as close as Fall River. And all of it's worlds apart from your typical wall-to-wall. 333 Stuart St., Boston, MA 2116, landryandarcari.com.
The Children's Book Shop
Will future generations see actual hold-in-your-hands books as curious, unidentifiable objects? Not if the scene at this Brookline Village gem is any indication. The area's oldest independent children's bookstore has aisles teeming with tykes digging into the 28,000-plus titles on offer (all handpicked by owner Terri Schmitz). It also keeps the magic going with regular events like author appearances and book-themed store parties. 237 Washington St., Brookline, MA 2445, .
Magic Beans
When it comes to guiding you through the bewildering array of diaper bags, baby carriers, and car seats out there, none of the other tot emporiums in town compares to Magic Beans. Exhibit A: the store's carriage questionnaire, which gets reviewed by one of Magic Beans' "stroller experts." From there, they can help you match the correct model to your needs—and for anxious new parents, that kind of coddling is always welcome. 312 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2446, mbeans.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.
Hudson
Jill Goldberg's four-year-old shop perfectly captures the new Boston aesthetic: a charming balance of country chic (whitewashed woods, salvaged signs), old-money signifiers (vintage French settees), and a touch of modern chrome. Few homeowners can nail the upscale-casual look without a pro's help—Goldberg offers styling services, too—but a couple of well-placed items from Hudson are an excellent start. 12 Union Park St., Boston, MA 2118, hudsonboston.com.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Good shades can turn an ugly duckling into a red-carpet darling in seconds. But finding the right pair isn't always so simple. At Saks, men and women can choose from among hundreds of designer frames both timeless and trendy. And with many options under $150, these shades come far cheaper than that other way to cover your crow's feet: Botox. 800 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2118, saksfifthavenue.com.
Vizio Optic
This petite Brookline Village shop is a four-time Best of Boston winner, and for good reason: Vizio Optic's top-notch service starts with the on-site optometrist and ends with the 360-degree photo booth, which allows buyers to see how those glasses look from the side, too. More than 1,000 frame choices include high-fashion, time-honored favorites from Chanel, Alain Mikli, and Robert Marc, as well as funky, lesser-known lines like Kata and Lafont. 11 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2445, viziooptic.com.
Leather World
Time was, travelers could blissfully shop for haute totes and Riviera-ready steamer trunks without having to worry about overhead bins and luggage fees. But with airlines now charging for baggage by the pound, it's time to pack smart. Local mini chain Leather World stocks practical roller bags, hardsides, and backpacks by stalwarts like Victorinox, Tumi, and Samsonite, as well as an array of TSA-approved goodies such as "express scan" bags that you can leave your laptop in. Bonus: The store hosts frequent sales. 30 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 2138, shopleatherworld.com.
Landry's Bicycles
Bike lanes are popping up everywhere, but two-wheeled travel is still the underdog in this town. Thankfully, Landry's is positioned to mainstream the biking lifestyle. The shop features a well-rounded selection of commuter, racing, and kids' models, and there are four convenient locations (critical when you're running on oatmeal rather than gas). Best of all, each Landry's store is staffed with cycling enthusiasts who'll happily shepherd you through decisions big (road bike? hybrid?) and small (U-lock or old-fashioned chain?). 890 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, .
Bloomingdales
If the beach beckons and you're pressed for time, the Back Bay Lord & Taylor is still the best bet for a last-minute bikini. Otherwise, hop the city limits and head to Bloomingdale's, where the racks are chock-full of Shoshanna, Milly, and other buzzy brands. Factor in the spacious (and credibly lit) fitting rooms at Bloomie's, and Route 9 shapes up as your road to victory. The Mall at Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA 2467, bloomingdales.com.
Bird by Bird
Sorry, but your child's first steps must...not...be...in Crocs. Especially not when Inman Square gem Bird by Bird has the kind of footwear that's ideally suited for all the firsts in a pre-hip-kid's lif—tiny slip-on sneaks, rainboots, polished Mary Janes—by brands like Morgan & Milo and See Kai Run. Now, let's talk about that Christmas sweater... 361 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 2139, .
Stil
If anyone knows fun—having it, looking it—it's Stil owner Betty Riaz. And so it goes at her mini chain, which deals in champagne toast-worthy frocks from Ports 1961, Noir, By Malene Birger, Camilla Staerk, and other designers not seen elsewhere in town. Splashy sequins, patent leathers, dark chiffons, and vampy silhouettes ensure that even if the party is lame, your outfit won't be. 199 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 2467, stillinc.com.
Stel's
In a highly competitive retail environment, Stel's refuses to play it safe. Instead, it cultivates an always cutting-edge cast of emerging and indie designers (most of them found only here): Alexander Wang, Rachel Comey, Society for Rational Dress. The spot-on buying ensures that one stop will produce all your staples (tees from Coven, denim by Rogan) as well as that truly standout item (like a Gary Graham leather vest). 334 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2115, .
Intimacy
Oprah's a fan, and so are we. Here's why: Inside the luxuriously appointed dressing rooms at this lace and silk emporium, bra specialists give no-pressure, tape-measure-free assessments (get past the fact that they're handling your goodies, and you'll find their approach rather effective). They then lay out scads of sexy yet practical possibilities from the likes of Aubade, Simone Péréle, and Chantelle. Customers leave with bags full of underpinnings that aren't just pretty, but actually—mercifully—fit, too. 100 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2116, myintimacy.com.