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While maybe best known for tourist attractions like the Liberty Bell and food scene contributions as varied as world-class Israeli food and the Cheese Whiz–topped Philly cheesesteak, Philadelphia is home to just as eclectic a mix of fashion and shopping options, too.
Those interested in high-end fashion brands head to Rittenhouse Row, where concept shops like Joan Shepp and custom ateliers like Commonwealth Proper and Ninobrand can be found nestled steps from designer and big-chain flagships.
If quiet brick streets and a boutique experience is more what you're after, Philly's Old City is the answer. North Third Street is lined with small independent shops like Vagabond — a standout for its mix of modern international designers, homewares, and affordable vintage — and Erdon, a mother-daughter operation that champions avant-garde brands both new and familiar.
For vintage and homegrown labels, there's a wide range of options too: Ritual Ritual in Northern Liberties offers both, alongside an awesome jewelry selection that includes many pieces made right in the back of the shop. And in Queen Village, you'll find some of the best vintage shopping in the city.
And that's not even the half of it. From sneakers and streetwear to luxe consignment, antique curiosities, and modern homewares, Philadelphia's retail world offers so much — you just have to know where to look.
Check out our map of the very best shops below, and read more about vintage, local brands, and a shopping tour of Queen Village in our Ultimate Guide to Shopping in Philly.
Joan Shepp’s concept store houses multiple winding rooms stocked with modern apparel, shoes, and accessories from high fashion labels like Margiela and Issey Miyake as well as lesser-known (but equally chic) designers like Porto. There’s also an outpost of Urban Zen, Donna Karan’s altruistic lifestyle brand, upstairs; a small selection of hard-to-find perfumes; and unique jewelry from under-the-radar makers, including local artists like Douglass Randall. Keep an eye out for the shop’s twice-yearly basement sales, where you can snag amazing pieces for 70% off. On your way out, stop in Knit Wit next door for another OG member of the Philly fashion scene.
Straddling homewares, apparel, and well-designed knick-knacks, Omoi Zakka Shop is a perfect place to look for gifts — especially if your giftee is a Japanophile. (There’s a much bigger sister store stocked with similar gifts and home wares called Select Shop 215 in Old Town, should your shopping take you that way.)
If you only have time to visit a few stores in the city, definitely make Moon + Arrow one of them. The huge space houses clothes, home goods, jewelry (much of it made by owner Chelsea Pearce), and apothecary items from all kinds of makers, with an emphasis on ethical sourcing. Aside from the vintage pieces, which feature lots of bright colors and styles from the '70s to the '90s, almost everything in the shop is made in the US.
Pearce also sells refinished antique furniture, and there's a section dedicated to kids' apparel and toys. Check out the shop's expanding series of workshops and events while you’re at it, too.
Ps & Qs (aka "Premium Quality") has been a favorite source for well-designed home goods and gifts, artsy magazines, and preppy-leaning men's high streetwear since the brand opened up shop on South Street in the mid aughts. The new-ish women's Ps & Qs a few streets over (aka "Peace & Quiet) is stocked with a similar selection of goods for ladies and kids, plus a huge selection of Pendleton blankets, towels, and apparel.
Ritual Ritual is one of the best boutiques in Philly. Owner Angela Monaco is a jewelry designer, and her line Concrete Polish is among the shop's many highlights. You’ll find lots of local labels here — from kimonos and leather goods by Adorn Lex to pretty dresses by Naveda Couture — as well as a surprisingly affordable selection of vintage pieces (and this is the kind of stuff you’d comb eBay for and never find). The shop recently expanded to make room for Reiki healing services, which you can book through its website.
Ubiq treats the clothes and sneakers housed in its Rittenhouse shop like artwork, with framed pieces lit dramatically on the walls and in glass cubes throughout the richly decorated space. The selection features fashion-y streetwear staples like Stussy, Vault by Vans, Raised by Wolves, Yeezy Season 2, and Stone Island, but there are also some unexpected finds like Hans Kjøbenhavn denim and eyewear and I Love Ugly apparel.
The women’s selection is small but mighty with items that are just as hard to find, like Rihanna’s Fenty Puma trainers and creepers. High-profile releases are sold by lottery, so you have to plan ahead.
From Pamela Love to Ulla Johnson and Freda Salvador, Third Street Habit supports indie designers from all over. The casually put-together spot is one of the best destinations in the city for shopping denim (also check out Knit Wit in Rittenhouse if that's what you're after) and one of the first boutiques to open up in the Old City a dozen years ago.
Racks of gauzy linens and funky-printed dresses line the walls at this bright, homey Old Town boutique — a great place to start if you want to browse the many shops on North Third Street (walk north towards Erdon). Interspersed throughout Vagabond, you’ll find modern ceramics from Japan, basket bags from Kenya, and apothecary goods from Brooklyn (with labels pretty enough to buy for display alone). A certain type of Rachel Comey-loving cool girl will want to buy out the whole shop — if that’s you, consider yourself warned. If you want a one-of-a-kind souvenir, ask if any of shop owner Megan Murphy's knits or reworked vintage pieces are available (they sell out fast); for a more affordable range, check out her vintage selection in the back of the shop.
Whether you're looking for an engagement ring, a special pair of earrings, or just another piece of jewelry, Philly's Barrio Neal is the place to find it. The brand has an outpost in NYC too, but everything is handmade in Philadelphia in a studio above this retail shop. The environmentally-minded brand uses recycled materials and ethically-sourced stones to make its modern but classic designs, often featuring colorful gems in slightly unexpected settings. and arrangements.
Another great men’s destination, Lapstone & Hammer gets new products in daily, so if you’re really vibing the selection (featuring brands like Decades, Schott, Momotaro Jeans, Billionaire Boys Club, and Nike) it might be worth checking back more than once during your visit. Head to the smartly-designed wood-and-marble boutique for everything from cult-favorite sneakers and boots to selvedge denim to men’s apothecary products and other giftables.
Part gift store, part clothing boutique, Art in the Age (which is named after a Walter Benjamin essay, by the way) is difficult to pin down — but that’s a big part of its charm. A fabulous place to look for gifts, this Old Town shop stocks everything from $6 enamel pins to cool rain jackets to affordable (and well-selected!) vintage, plus locally-made artisanal spicy pickles.
There’s a pop-up that changes monthly in the back; past installations have included local artist Eric Kenney and large-scale vintage furniture. The owners are also behind artisanal spirits company Root, and the boutique doubles as a tasting room — good to know in case all that shopping has you thirsty.
Run by a mom-and-daughter team, Erdon is a great complement to the other avant-garde–leaning shops in the city. According to Carli, the younger half of the buying duo, they like to show full collections by designers (which currently includes labels like Ivan Grundhal, Maison Margiela MM6, and local designer Heyne Bogut) to give shoppers the “full story.”
One of few local designers producing at a high fashion level, Bela Shehu of Ninobrand shows her collection by appointment only, but it’s well worth the advance planning. The designer and her staff will only pull pieces they think will work for your body and style, but they’ll keep you playing dress-up until you find you something you love — whether it’s a perfect T-shirt or convertible off-shoulder dress that doubles as a blousy skirt or drop crotch basketball shorts. Don’t forget to ask about the hammered silver jewelry and artist collaborations.
Another designer you can see by appointment, Commonwealth Proper makes custom suits and sportswear for Philly's best-dressed gentlemen. Founder (and former lawyer) Craig Arthur von Schroeder recently launched a members-only expression of house whiskey, which you can sip while you relax for your fitting.
You’ll definitely find something that catches your eye at this jam-packed vintage home and accessories shop, which stocks everything from art to mid-century modern furniture to cheeky faux prayer candles. Jinxed has four locations scattered around Philly, but head to the Fishtown store for the biggest selection, which also includes some clothing. When you're done, pop your head into Toile next door for a look at some local Philly clothing designers.
An outdoor brand with a great in-store coffee shop and studio upstairs might seem more at home in Portland, Oregon, rather than Old City, Philadelphia, but United By Blue is Philly through-and-through. Founded in 2013, the company's goal is conservation of our waterways; for every item sold, the brand removes one pound of trash from the ocean.
The B-Corp–certified brand also frequently hosts cleanups and educational workshops, and uses renewable and recycled materials to make their wares. Altruism aside, UBB makes amazingly soft T-shirts, dresses, flannels, and more clothing for men and women in addition to camping and other outdoor gear that's as stylish as it is functional.
Even if you’re not crazy for vintage, you can appreciate the variety of wares and affordable prices at Retrospect in Queen Village. From the sunglasses and other accessories in the front of the store to the wide selection of frilly dresses, T-shirts, vintage denim, and other men’s and women’s clothes throughout the huge shop, there are plenty of treasure waiting to be found here — including antique home goods and vintage Playboy magazines.
Joan Shepp’s concept store houses multiple winding rooms stocked with modern apparel, shoes, and accessories from high fashion labels like Margiela and Issey Miyake as well as lesser-known (but equally chic) designers like Porto. There’s also an outpost of Urban Zen, Donna Karan’s altruistic lifestyle brand, upstairs; a small selection of hard-to-find perfumes; and unique jewelry from under-the-radar makers, including local artists like Douglass Randall. Keep an eye out for the shop’s twice-yearly basement sales, where you can snag amazing pieces for 70% off. On your way out, stop in Knit Wit next door for another OG member of the Philly fashion scene.
Straddling homewares, apparel, and well-designed knick-knacks, Omoi Zakka Shop is a perfect place to look for gifts — especially if your giftee is a Japanophile. (There’s a much bigger sister store stocked with similar gifts and home wares called Select Shop 215 in Old Town, should your shopping take you that way.)
If you only have time to visit a few stores in the city, definitely make Moon + Arrow one of them. The huge space houses clothes, home goods, jewelry (much of it made by owner Chelsea Pearce), and apothecary items from all kinds of makers, with an emphasis on ethical sourcing. Aside from the vintage pieces, which feature lots of bright colors and styles from the '70s to the '90s, almost everything in the shop is made in the US.
Pearce also sells refinished antique furniture, and there's a section dedicated to kids' apparel and toys. Check out the shop's expanding series of workshops and events while you’re at it, too.
Ps & Qs (aka "Premium Quality") has been a favorite source for well-designed home goods and gifts, artsy magazines, and preppy-leaning men's high streetwear since the brand opened up shop on South Street in the mid aughts. The new-ish women's Ps & Qs a few streets over (aka "Peace & Quiet) is stocked with a similar selection of goods for ladies and kids, plus a huge selection of Pendleton blankets, towels, and apparel.
Ritual Ritual is one of the best boutiques in Philly. Owner Angela Monaco is a jewelry designer, and her line Concrete Polish is among the shop's many highlights. You’ll find lots of local labels here — from kimonos and leather goods by Adorn Lex to pretty dresses by Naveda Couture — as well as a surprisingly affordable selection of vintage pieces (and this is the kind of stuff you’d comb eBay for and never find). The shop recently expanded to make room for Reiki healing services, which you can book through its website.
Ubiq treats the clothes and sneakers housed in its Rittenhouse shop like artwork, with framed pieces lit dramatically on the walls and in glass cubes throughout the richly decorated space. The selection features fashion-y streetwear staples like Stussy, Vault by Vans, Raised by Wolves, Yeezy Season 2, and Stone Island, but there are also some unexpected finds like Hans Kjøbenhavn denim and eyewear and I Love Ugly apparel.
The women’s selection is small but mighty with items that are just as hard to find, like Rihanna’s Fenty Puma trainers and creepers. High-profile releases are sold by lottery, so you have to plan ahead.
From Pamela Love to Ulla Johnson and Freda Salvador, Third Street Habit supports indie designers from all over. The casually put-together spot is one of the best destinations in the city for shopping denim (also check out Knit Wit in Rittenhouse if that's what you're after) and one of the first boutiques to open up in the Old City a dozen years ago.
Racks of gauzy linens and funky-printed dresses line the walls at this bright, homey Old Town boutique — a great place to start if you want to browse the many shops on North Third Street (walk north towards Erdon). Interspersed throughout Vagabond, you’ll find modern ceramics from Japan, basket bags from Kenya, and apothecary goods from Brooklyn (with labels pretty enough to buy for display alone). A certain type of Rachel Comey-loving cool girl will want to buy out the whole shop — if that’s you, consider yourself warned. If you want a one-of-a-kind souvenir, ask if any of shop owner Megan Murphy's knits or reworked vintage pieces are available (they sell out fast); for a more affordable range, check out her vintage selection in the back of the shop.
Whether you're looking for an engagement ring, a special pair of earrings, or just another piece of jewelry, Philly's Barrio Neal is the place to find it. The brand has an outpost in NYC too, but everything is handmade in Philadelphia in a studio above this retail shop. The environmentally-minded brand uses recycled materials and ethically-sourced stones to make its modern but classic designs, often featuring colorful gems in slightly unexpected settings. and arrangements.
Another great men’s destination, Lapstone & Hammer gets new products in daily, so if you’re really vibing the selection (featuring brands like Decades, Schott, Momotaro Jeans, Billionaire Boys Club, and Nike) it might be worth checking back more than once during your visit. Head to the smartly-designed wood-and-marble boutique for everything from cult-favorite sneakers and boots to selvedge denim to men’s apothecary products and other giftables.
Part gift store, part clothing boutique, Art in the Age (which is named after a Walter Benjamin essay, by the way) is difficult to pin down — but that’s a big part of its charm. A fabulous place to look for gifts, this Old Town shop stocks everything from $6 enamel pins to cool rain jackets to affordable (and well-selected!) vintage, plus locally-made artisanal spicy pickles.
There’s a pop-up that changes monthly in the back; past installations have included local artist Eric Kenney and large-scale vintage furniture. The owners are also behind artisanal spirits company Root, and the boutique doubles as a tasting room — good to know in case all that shopping has you thirsty.
Run by a mom-and-daughter team, Erdon is a great complement to the other avant-garde–leaning shops in the city. According to Carli, the younger half of the buying duo, they like to show full collections by designers (which currently includes labels like Ivan Grundhal, Maison Margiela MM6, and local designer Heyne Bogut) to give shoppers the “full story.”
One of few local designers producing at a high fashion level, Bela Shehu of Ninobrand shows her collection by appointment only, but it’s well worth the advance planning. The designer and her staff will only pull pieces they think will work for your body and style, but they’ll keep you playing dress-up until you find you something you love — whether it’s a perfect T-shirt or convertible off-shoulder dress that doubles as a blousy skirt or drop crotch basketball shorts. Don’t forget to ask about the hammered silver jewelry and artist collaborations.
Another designer you can see by appointment, Commonwealth Proper makes custom suits and sportswear for Philly's best-dressed gentlemen. Founder (and former lawyer) Craig Arthur von Schroeder recently launched a members-only expression of house whiskey, which you can sip while you relax for your fitting.
You’ll definitely find something that catches your eye at this jam-packed vintage home and accessories shop, which stocks everything from art to mid-century modern furniture to cheeky faux prayer candles. Jinxed has four locations scattered around Philly, but head to the Fishtown store for the biggest selection, which also includes some clothing. When you're done, pop your head into Toile next door for a look at some local Philly clothing designers.
An outdoor brand with a great in-store coffee shop and studio upstairs might seem more at home in Portland, Oregon, rather than Old City, Philadelphia, but United By Blue is Philly through-and-through. Founded in 2013, the company's goal is conservation of our waterways; for every item sold, the brand removes one pound of trash from the ocean.
The B-Corp–certified brand also frequently hosts cleanups and educational workshops, and uses renewable and recycled materials to make their wares. Altruism aside, UBB makes amazingly soft T-shirts, dresses, flannels, and more clothing for men and women in addition to camping and other outdoor gear that's as stylish as it is functional.
Even if you’re not crazy for vintage, you can appreciate the variety of wares and affordable prices at Retrospect in Queen Village. From the sunglasses and other accessories in the front of the store to the wide selection of frilly dresses, T-shirts, vintage denim, and other men’s and women’s clothes throughout the huge shop, there are plenty of treasure waiting to be found here — including antique home goods and vintage Playboy magazines.
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