Boston is shaking off its Puritan image and turning up the style quotient. Proper Boston Brahmins can still pick up classics at The Andover Shop and Shreve, Crump and Low, but these stores are now joined by funky little boutiques that would be equally at home in New York or LA.

Louis Boston

Louis Boston is the Barneys or Harvey Nicks of Boston, bringing a bit of cutting edge funk to the Bay State. This mini-department store is housed in the former Museum of Natural History building, and sells men's and women's fashions, by designers ranging from Derek Lam and Doo Ri to Koi, Tuleh and Zac Posen. There's also a homewares department, as well Restaurant L, serving lunch and dinner.

Louis Boston
234 Berkeley Street
Boston
(617) 262-6100
Opening hours:  Mon. 11-6; Tue and Wed. 11am-6pm ; Thu.-Sat.10-7; closed Sunday
View store location on Google maps
www.louisboston.com

Fresh

Cult cosmetics company Fresh was started in Boston in 1991 by husband-and-wife team Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg. Now there are over 12 Fresh stores around the world, and the original range has been extended to perfumes, skincare, and cosmetics. Our favourites are the sugarbath cubes and fig apricot perfume, but other luscious scents include pomegranate anis, and tangerine lychee.

Fresh
121 Newbury Street
Boston
Phone: (617) 421-1212
Opening hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-7; Sun.12-6
View store location on Google maps
www.fresh.com

Thos. Moser

You won't find anything trendy at Thos. Moser, and that's just they way they want it. Maine-based Thos. Moser produces quality, hand-crafted wood furniture crafted mostly from American cherry wood. The designs reference everything from the discipline of classic Japanese joinery to the Arts and Crafts movement, as well as the strict aesthetics of the American Shaker to the German Bauhaus. Best of all, every piece of furniture comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Thos. Moser
19 Arlington Street
Boston
Phone: (800) 708-9031
Opening hours: Mon.- Sat., 10-6; Sun. 11-5
View store location on Google maps
www.thomasmoser.com

Shreve, Crump and Low

Today when a proper Bostonian woman becomes engaged, the first (and only) place to select your engagement ring, china, hand-engraved invitations and stemware is Shreve, Crump and Low, America's oldest jeweller. Originally opened in 1796 across from Paul Revere's silver shop, Shreve, Crump and Low has recently moved to a larger space on Boylston Street. But Shreve doesn't only cater to the bridal market. There's also contemporary jewellery, ceramics and an extensive baby department.

Shreve, Crump and Low
440 Boylston Street
Boston
Phone: (617) 267-9100
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10-6; Thursday 10-7; closed Sunday
View store location on Google Maps
www.shrevecrumpandlow.com

Stil

Stil, one of Boston's newest boutiques, showcases clothing and accessories from young designers based in LA, London, New York and Copenhagen. Stil, which is Scandinavian for style, stocks designers Elaine Perlov, Omnia from London, Rutzou from Copenhagen, and Mel en Stel. To complete the loungy atmosphere, there's also a complimentary espresso bar, "Stil" brand of water, and a giant candy bowl.

Stil
170 Newbury Street
Boston
Phone: (617) 859-7845
View store location on Google Maps
www.stilinc.com

The Andover Shop

If you want to dress like a true New England prep, bypass J. Crew and yes, even Brooks Brothers and head straight to The Andover Shop. This is where students of Andover, Exeter and Harvard stock up on their basics in classic styles and conservative colours, such as tweed field coats, Shetland sweaters and charcoal wool trousers. Obtaining the Ivy League lockjaw, however, is solely up to you.

The Andover Shop
234 Clarendon Street
Boston
Phone: (617) 247-3344
Opening hours: Mon. ”“ Fri. 9:30am to 5:30pm, Saturday: 9:30am to 5:00pm; closed Sunday
View store location on Google Maps
www.theandovershop.com

Filene's Basement

The first place that bargain hunters should head to in Boston is Filene's Basement, opened in 1908, and the oldest “off-price” store in the U.S. Filene's is home to the Automatic Markdown, which means that the longer an item has been on the floor, the cheaper it gets (and yes, women have been known to sneakily hide items). This is also the home of the legendary bridal sale, where twice a year brides-to-be queue for hours to get their hands on deeply discounted designer gowns. Sure, it's dusty and the lighting is bad, but dig around and you'll find designer bargains galore.

Filene's Basement
426 Washington Street
Boston
Phone: (617) 348-7974
View store location on Google Maps
www.filenesbasement.com

Dress

This little boutique, which opened in July 2005, will appeal to women looking for classics with a twist, or stylish clothes that can do double duty at the office. Started by Martha Hilfinger and Jane Schlueter, Dress carries clothing by Catherine Malandrino, Eileen Shields, Vanessa Bruno, Philip Lim and Issa.

Dress
221 Newbury Street
Boston
Phone: (617) 424-7125
Opening hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri. 11-7; Thurs 11-8; Sat 10-6; Sun. 12-6
View store location on Google Maps
www.dressboston.com

Second Time Around

If you're on the hunt for designer bargains, look no further than shop Second Time Around, which sells clothing by consignment as well as new goods. You'll have to dig, but on a recent visit we spotted a Valentino dress for $450, plus plenty of items from Prada, Michael Kors, and Chanel, as well as basics from J. Crew and Banana Republic. There are two locations on Newbury Street, and some locations have menswear as well. The Cambridge locations also sells furniture shop.

Second Time Around
176 Newbury St
Boston
Phone: (617) 247-3504
View store location on Google Maps
For other locations, visit www.secondtimearound.net 

Wish

Charles Street is full of cute little boutiques, and one of the best for designer clothing is Wish. This very pink, very girlie store stocks selections from Nanette Lapore, Trina Turk, Rebecca Taylor and Shoshanna.  

Wish
49 Charles Street
Boston
Phone: (617) 227-0170
Opening hours: Mon-Wed and Fri, 10-7; Thurs 10-8; Sat. 10-6; Sun 12-6
View store location on Google Maps
www.wishstyle.com

Holiday

Holiday, which is an outpost of the original store in LA, specializes in ultra-feminine clothing. There are plenty of skirts, dresses and tops (perfect for a holiday or a weekend in Boston) from designers including Tracey Reese, Luella, Lauren Moffatt and Mimi and Coco.

Holiday
53 Charles Street
Boston
Phone: (617) 973-9730
Opening hours: Mon-Wed and Fri, 11-7; Thurs 11-8; Sat. 10-6; Sun 12-6
View store location on Google Maps
www.holidayboutique.net