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Put your ear to the shop window-Baltimore’s fashion vibe is buzzing. While the diehard preppy may never die out, there’s an electric fashion forward movement underway.These stores have appeared on the scene in the last five years, dressing up the retail landscape and proving that Baltimore shopping is not an oxymoron.
The Ivy Bookshop - Mt. Washington
A mere 1,200 square feet, the Ivy topples corporate bookstore giants in selection, service, and ambience. Best-selling touches: The knowledgeable sales staff, a stellar selection of current fiction, like E.L. Doctorow’s new novel “The March,” and non-fiction, and an array of beautiful art and design coffee table books, like “Dreaming of Africa,” a collection of watercolors of the African landscape and “Cabinet of Natural Curiosities,” a full-color collection of 18th century plates depicting plants and animals from around the world. The store’s petite size is to the shopper’s advantage—it makes perusing the aisles manageable. We could stand a few more of these around town. Is owner Darielle Linehan (Ruxton) game? Just don’t make the Bibelot mistake. Size matters—stay small! 6080 Falls Road, Lake Falls Village.
Oh! Said Rose - Hampden
Oh! Said Rose is a quirky place to score cool clothes for a coffee-house poetry slam or a jaunt to the art museum. The funky T-shirts—Hampden Charm School is a favorite—are irresistible. And west coast designers like Sue Wong sew up an evening look that’s easy-breezy San Francisco (owner Susannah Siger’s previous home turf, now she’s Hampden). The most idiosyncratic of the stores on our screen, it’s an outside-the-box shopping experience. The accessories, especially the affordable jewelry and bags, are standout. Be sure to also check out the Siger owned hip shoe store Ma Petite Shoe, a few doors down. 840 West 36th Street.
Classic Serendipity - Pikesville
Baltimore frock-stars love Classic Serendipity’s sophisticated fashion forward lines—most priced under $500. It is the only Baltimore boutique to carry Anna Sui designs and this fall, Habitual Jeans, to name-drop a few. Owner Emily Klawans (Homeland) has an impeccable eye and an enviable knack for staying one step ahead of the hottest trend. Update your wardrobe with a few key pieces. Don’t overlook Rafé bags and accessories. And be sure to scope out: Hudson cords, True Religion jeans, Bettye Muller shoes, metallic belts and bags. 1809 Reisterstown Road, Festival at Woodholme.
Baltimore Cupcake Company - Locust Point
It’s received major press for good-tasting reason. The sumptuous cupcakes and cakes, adorned with your choice of Swarovski crystals, edible flowers or painted chocolate, are a welcome change from the predictable grocery store bakery cake. And the shop’s sexy aprons are reason enough to stop in (yes, aprons—v. Desperate Housewives). Spoil yourself with chocolate dipped Oreos, homemade snowballs (like the ones made famous by Hostess that you loved as a kid), delectable shortbread and icebox cookies, whimsical original cake stands, and decadent candies and gifts. 1433 E. Fort Avenue.
Yoicks! - Butler
Despite its funny name—a hunting exclamation to encourage the hounds—Yoicks is on the scent when it comes to showcasing clothes that will sport your valleys’ lineage. The largest dealer in Maryland of the popular Barbour line of English field wear, the shop carries the best collection of waxed coats, tweeds, quilted vests and jackets for the ultimate country look (and we don’t mean Billy Ray Cyrus…). Owner Michael Finney (Sparks), a former polo player and rider, has also put together an important collection of animalier bronzes and sporting art, his true love, that make you feel like you’re in the home of a well-heeled country squire. Get in touch with your inner anglophile and check out Lock & Co. tweed caps (a favorite of every King of England since 1676), tweed overcoats, jackets and vests by PJ Haggart of Scotland and beautiful art. 15003 Falls Road.
J. McLaughlin - Ruxton
New York, Palm Beach, the Hamptons, Nantucket and…Baltimore? What’s wrong with this picture? Nothing. J.McLaughlin has made homes in each chic locale, serving up classic clothes with an original twist. The clothes are stylish and functional but with a nip at the waist or a slit in the skirt so you don’t feel like you’re sacrificing sex appeal for practicality. These clothes have a much more au courant feel than basic preppy. Look for cable knit sweaters in hot bold colors, quilted barn jackets in gorgeous silk prints, fabric belts and handsome totes. 7623 Bellona Avenue.
Box of Rain - Pikesville and Hunt Valley
The first store to supply rocker chic to Baltimore, Box of Rain offers an impressive array of men’s and women’s “it” jeans, thin bias-cut T-shirts and the latest in hip. Maybe more enticing to the 35 and younger set, it carries the best selection of James Perse T-shirts, Joie hippie tops, BCBG dresses, C&C California and Mimi and Coco T-shirts and the classic Juicy sweatsuit (great for lounging and long flights). Box is also one of few stores to showcase the Penguin line, which is making a Hush Puppy Shoes-like comeback. The new Hunt Valley store’s on our screen. 1496 Reisterstown Road, Club Centre and 118U Shawan Road, Hunt Valley Towne Centre.
The Corduroy Button - Fells Point
Warning: This children’s boutique might turn your toddler into a pre-K clotheshorse. With sizes ranging from newborn to 7, the store houses an oh-so-cute array of baby wear and big kids’ clothes. Snag extra-special baby gifts in any price range: Onesies by Keeka for $24; coo-inducing Ralph Lauren baby moccasins in pink suede for $50. Owner Ali Schuch (Fells Point) acquires striking items from U.S. and Euro designers, Jean Bourget, Gordonsbury, Lilypod and more. Her vision: Grown-up clothing scaled down, like little Eliza B. sandals to match mom’s and Wry Baby T-shirts for twins that read, “Stop copying me.” She also stocks ultra-traditional, durable kids’ stuff by Le Tigre and One Kid for a first day of school done strictly by the book. 1628 Thames Street.
L’ Apparenza - Mt. Washington
They have raised the bar for women’s retail in Baltimore by bringing under one roof lines like Tocca, Cynthia Steffe, Milly and Theory—lines we’ve only seen together on the fifth floor at Bergdorf’s. With her thirty years of retail experience, owner Nancy Lattman knows the biz, while daughter Nancy, junior has the keen eye to spot hip, youthful designs (daughter Barbie is the latest Lattman to join the ranks). We love the much anticipated store renovation by Miami interior designer Joseph Fava. Make it your first stop for retail therapy or a need-it-tonight dress to impress. 6080 Falls Road, Lake Falls Village.
Patrick Sutton Home - Federal Hill
Walking into Patrick Sutton Home is like stepping into the pages of House Beautiful. Chic and elegant, the home accessories, furniture and gifts are a sophisticated addition to the home interiors retail scene. The rich merchandise, from Indian-inspired cashmere throws, silk pillows and animal skin rugs, to oversized vases and candlesticks, offers a not-too-modern, not-too-staid contemporary selection exclusive to this Baltimore store. Smaller items, like room sprays, scented candles and soaps bring luxury home to the budget-minded. 1000 Light Street.
Also Noteworthy: Blu Vintage - trendy, fashionable women’s clothing, 823 N. Charles Street, Mt. Vernon; The Doll House - high fashion, local designers, 525 Charles Street, Mt. Vernon; Gotta Have Bags - designer bags, 846 West 36th Street, Hampden; Hometown Girl – fun, original gifts, 1001 West 36th Street, Hampden; In Watermelon Sugar - home accessories, 3555 Chestnut Avenue, Hampden; Lord and Lady Bug - designer kids’ clothes, Green Spring Station, 10751 Falls Road, Lutherville; The Purse Store - designer bags, belts, 25 Hooks Lane, Pikesville; Samuel Parker Clothier - distinctive menswear, 1340 Smith Avenue, Mt.Washington; Shine – T-shirts, jeans and accessories, 1007A 36th Street, Hampden; Treasure House - women’s jewelry and accessories, 1401 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills; Trixie’s Palace – quirky, cute women’s clothing and accessories, 1704 Thames Street, Fells Pt.