Boston Bodyworks Studio
Kathy Van Patten's small private gym in the heart of Beacon Hill is the best home in town of the avant-garde exercise technique known as Pilates. An exercise trend since the early '90s, Pilates is actually a system of workouts that incorporates balance, posture training, and muscle toning; it is particularly favored by dancers and athletes for its effects on coordination. Van Patten is a trained professional who studied at the Pilates Studio in New York before opening her own studio five years ago. Her friendly demeanor, enviable physique, and mastery of the unique Pilates equipment ("the reformer" and "the universal Cadillac" are just two of the highly-specialized pieces) make her a stand-out. 12 Joy Street, Boston, MA bostonbodyworksstudio.com.
French + Italian
“Look on the bright side” is owner Aimee Lombardi’s motto — something she made very clear over the past year with her selection of cheerful cobalt-blue cashmere crews, citron flats, and yellow track pants. Rolling with the times, the stylish shopkeeper focused on keeping shelves filled with WFH threads that could be Zoom-ready on top, and completely comfy on the bottom — think cardigans and flowy skirts from superstar European lines like Molli, Acne Studios, Ganni, and Sofie D’Hoore. The best part? Every last piece transitions seamlessly to any post-vaccine brunch and vacation plans. 119 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, frenchitalian.com.
The Studio
Three questions we've been asking ourselves this year: Is it easy on the environment? Can I get good mileage from it? Does it go with my new Michael Kors espadrilles? At the Studio, a North Shore trendsetter with a pronounced green streak, the answer is a resounding yes. Up-and-coming indie designers like Supermaggie and Prairie Underground lead the way with earth-friendly materials (organic cotton, recycled leather) and socially conscious craftsmanship, yielding fad-free, guilt-free separates, dresses, and jackets that—unlike that doomed gas-guzzler—we plan to hang on to for years. 46 State St., Newburyport, MA 1950, .
The Donkey Show
Photograph courtesy of the American Repertory Theater In a clubscape that can feel highly fragmented, where night owls tend to find their micro-scene and stick to it, The Donkey Show at Oberon achieves the impossible: blurring every last social boundary with a scandalous amount of glittery skin and thumping disco anthems that thrust every gamine hip into reimagining Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the bacchanalia’s loosely insinuated theme. You will vogue on a platform. You will deeply contemplate Donna Summer. You will dance yourself dirty. Check the calendar for monthly Queen Nights, during which a special-guest diva takes the night’s energy—and the fantasy experience—even higher. 2 Arrow St., Cambridge, MA 2138, americanrepertorytheater.org/oberon.
B/spoke
If you don’t like to sweat, B/spoke’s cycling classes are not for you. Those who relish getting drenched in the name of a good, clean workout, however, will appreciate this studio’s state-of-the-art bikes, pump-you-up tracks, and peppy instructors, who use hand weights and core work to target more than just the legs in heart-pounding sessions. Amp up your experience with B/spoke’s "hot" ride, a hilly adventure in sizzling temps, and feel the burn. 101 Federal St., Boston, MA 02110, bspokestudios.com.
Ermenegildo Zegna
Don't let those ill-dressed goombas on The Sopranos fool you: Nobody knows stylish sophistications like the Italians. The Napoli Couture collection at Ermenegildo Zegna is a strong case in point—suits and jackets made mostly by hand from superior fabrics exclusive to Zegna, among them superfine merino wool and the full, silky 15 Milmil 15; shoes, too, are distinguished by handwork and fine leather. The magnificent silk ties in micro-jacquard—heavy on assorted blue, pale blue, white, and red combinations this season—may very well knock your socks off. Not to worry: Zegna sells those, too. 39 Newbury St., Boston, MA zegna.com.
Davis Clarke
Via Instagram Who knew 9-to-5 quarterly reports needed a hype man? This guy, apparently. Since January, the 27-year-old Citizens capital manager from Winchester has become a viral sensation for his ruthlessly earnest motivational clips and video selfies in which he roars about tackling desk-job mundanities — like Excel spreadsheets or dial-in work meetings — with the “locked in” intensity of 1,000 linebackers charging a quarterback. “This has to be a joke, right?” asked one commenter on Instagram, where Clarke has amassed more than 720,000 followers. It is not: What may’ve first seemed like a hustle-culture send-up has played out like an endearingly real-life micro-reboot of The Office. In other words: Michael Scott, come get your son! instagram.com/davis.clarke.
Myrth Ceramics
Gabby Riggieri Understatement might be the central theme of Myrth Ceramics’ handcrafted dishes, bowls, and tumblers, which always come out looking timeless. The studio’s delightfully monochromatic offerings are available in a variety of rotating glazes, all designed in-house and each available only for a limited run. Don’t miss the deep-ochre “Chestnut” or the seafoam-green “Agave” — a prime choice for the new mug you’ll never want to put down. 9 Olive Sq., Somerville, MA 02143, myrth.us.
Barre & Soul
You don’t need to be a ballerina (or even a fitness buff) to benefit from this studio’s proprietary barre method, led by cheery instructors who inspire, encourage, and never, ever judge. That doesn’t mean you won’t get a rigorous workout—just wait until you step into those resistance bands. When the going gets tough, the view down to Harvard Square from the tall windows provides a superb distraction. Multiple locations. 36 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge, MA 02138, barresoul.com.
Caterina Sorrenti, Rina's Studio
The Newbury Street veteran's solo endeavor in Newtonville is a study in making the best of a painful (and often embarrassing) salon service. Caterina Sorrenti keeps Rina's Studio obsessively clean (no double-dipping applicators here). She's thorough, too, though she gets this award because she's a pro at multitasking, able to chat distractingly about real estate, the weather, and whatever else while going to town on your ingrowns. 811 Washington St., Newton, MA 2460, rina-studio.com.
9Tailors
Even the most fashion-unconscious of men understand that an ill-fitting suit is a no-no on your big day. Thankfully, this custom-suiting company has the guys covered. The 9Tailors team takes a modern approach to the customization process without scrimping on Old World craftsmanship: The first consultation, for example, takes place over cocktails at the studio’s in-house bar, where you can choose from endless fabric and style options. And for brides who wish to forgo a traditional gown, the team also designs beautiful bespoke suits for the female form. 132 Lincoln St., Ste. 1L, Boston, MA 02111, 9tailors.com.
Mahoney's Garden Center
Bursting with lush, varied greenery year round, this family-owned store is welcoming even to novice gardeners. A vast assortment of plants, from tiny succulents fit for city studios to large and leafy varieties, fills a generous indoor space and spills outside in warmer months. (Multiple locations.) 449 Western Ave., Brighton, MA 02135, mahoneysgarden.com.
Pini Swissa, Pini Swissa Salon
In a sun-drenched studio high above Newbury Street's more fashionable end, Pini Swissa studies your head from every angle, scrupulously analyzing your hair before he makes his first snip. It's that attention to detail that makes Swissa, born and raised in a small Israeli village where he got his start trimming shrubbery, the preferred hairstylist of Boston's first family: Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen. As you sip a cappuccino from a silver plate while Swissa crafts a dapper coiffure straight out of GQ, you, too, will feel like a five-time Super Bowl champion. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, .
AZ Studio
Changing stylists right after you've been butchered presents a classic rebound scenario: No matter how well you're treated, there are nagging trust issues. That is, unless you drag your sorry 'do to AZ Studio, which has both veterans (some have been here 10 years or more) and next-generation snippers adept at soothing frizzed, scraggly, and otherwise badly ruffled feathers. Still feeling a bit heartsick? A shopping spree in the amply stocked salon boutique will make it all better. Derby Street Shoppes, Hingham, MA 2043, azstudio-derby.com.