The best shopping in Boston

Alo Yoga is now open in Boston’s Seaport. For those of us who live in Downtown Boston, the growth of the Seaport’s shopping scene has been a huge boon. The Seaport is now filled with brands like Away, Everlane, Filson, Helly Hansen and Lunya, creating a new hub for the discerning shopper Downtown.

Daniel Crémieux launched his namesake brand in 1976 in Saint-Tropez. His French Riviera boutique offered holiday makers the ultimate in beachy elegance. With the brand now under the direction of Daniel’s son, Stephane, Crémieux has grown into an international menswear powerhouse with locations in NYC, Palm Beach, Miami, Paris, Capri and London and now Boston. 

STAUD, the Los Angeles-based fashion brand known for elevated yet accessible luxury, has opened a location at The Superette. This opening reinforces STAUD’s dedication to providing unique shopping experiences for loyal and new customers that showcase the brand’s coveted collections, including ready-to-wear, handbags, footwear, and accessories. 

As part of SoWa's transformation into a hip art destination, artists and vendors set up stalls in a parking lot every Sunday during the warmer months to sell their work. Antiques, art, handmade jewelry and other accessories are among the mix, along with makers, bakers, and other food vendors.

Among the nation‘s top gourmet shops, Formaggio Kitchen continues to dazzle connoisseurs with its vast, gem-studded collection of artisanal cheeses from the world over—as well as its cornucopia of accoutrements. You‘ll find condiments, charcuterie, confectionery and speciality ingredients, ranging from flowering teas and heirloom cattle beans to Hawaiian red sea salt and Piedmontese chickpea flour. 

This independent bookseller in Harvard Square works hard to rival the larger chain stores with its varied selection of general-interest books and helpful staff, always ready to recommend a title or two. Students crowd the substantial philosophy and cultural theory sections. Bibliophiles make a beeline for the basement, where the used and remainder book shelves are packed with everything from dog-eared cookbooks to gorgeous art books, all at a hefty discount.

At first glance, it looks like any other convenience store, the window lined with faded bleach bottles and paper towels. Step in front of the faux Snapple vending machine to activate the hidden sliding door and reveal the secret store within a store. Inside is the ultra-modern interior of Boston's flyest sneaker shop—carrying rare kicks from Nike Tier Zero and Adidas Consortium—as well as deluxe streetwear and books on art and design.

In a sea of chains, Trident remains a tried-and-true standby for the more indie-minded of Boston’s over-caffeinated literary nerds. The magazine selection is peerless—art zines, obscure trade publications, and is that a Spanish edition of Foreign Affairs? The food and drink is solid; if you’re bummed about not being able to order a single-origin pour-over, the atmosphere will make up for it.

The patriarch of Boston’s fashion scene, Alan Bilzerian has outfitted the city’s most stylish denizens, men and women alike, in styles from Issey Miyake, Isabel Marant, Rick Owens and more. This is not a boutique for the student set—prices regularly run into the four figures—but for those with money and a dedication to style, this is only indie boutique to visit.

Area men seeking a casual yet put-together aesthetic can hit up the collections at Sault and then call it a day. Owner Philip Saul stocks his store with rugged, stylish closet staples, from eco-friendly henleys to Jake Spade sweaters and Penfield jackets. Accessories include messenger bags, embossed leather wallets and skinny ties. Sault is also the perfect gift-shopping spot for that enigmatic male relative in your life, offering home items like vintage boat models and woven rope doormats.

This massive food and drink complex takes up a grand, multi-floor space in the Prudential Center. Enjoy a stroll through the retail maze, stopping to look at surprisingly affordable luxuries from near (local cheesemakers) and far (every Italian product imaginable). There are multiple places to eat and drink; from full-service, high-end dining to quick sandwiches and gelato. On street level, Caffé Lavazza serves up gourmet Italian coffee drinks.