The Ultimate Guide to Shopping in St. Louis

A neighborhood-by-neighborhood look at clothing boutiques.

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DOWNTOWN & MIDTOWN

Park near 14th and Washington and start at DNA, which carries premium brands such as Nike and Adidas alongside graphic tees and custom flat-brims. For more headgear, the century-old Levine Hat Co. boasts fine fedoras, caps, and sun hats. Le Divine Collection owner Ashley Puryea offers affordable jumpers, flashy floral crop tops, and platforms galore, and Bolt Boutique offers preppy and trendy pastels. On Tucker, visit Fresh Images for a selection of urban street wear items, shoes and hats. In Grand Center, Epiphany Boutique showcases classic dresses and heels alongside floral short suits. And recently relocated Golden Gems in Midtown stocks memorable apparel, home decor, and accessories.

CLAYTON

Where Clayton meets Ladue, Colonial Marketplace has quickly become a one-stop shopping center. City Sprouts offers stylish children’s apparel, gear, and toys. Splash owners Joni Ridgway and Kyrle Boldt draw inspiration from California and Australia, stocking fashionable swimwear and warm-weather clothing. Nonprofit The Woman’s Exchange offers both a tearoom and a plethora of pastel outfits, children’s clothes, and handmade jewelry. Byrd Designer Consignment Boutique stocks a selection of upscale secondhand pieces. Striking a middle ground between funky and preppy styles, Hillary Dutcher’s Ivy Hill Boutique features GiGi New York personalized clutches and a create-your-own jewelry stand. Paperdolls Boutique has expanded to Clayton, offering dresses, handbags and jewelry, as well as styling 1-on-1's and styling parties. In downtown Clayton, menswear store St. Louis Suit Co. boasts a table of ties for $5 apiece. Savile Row Custom Clothier & Shirtmaker offers alterations, wardrobe consultation, and dry cleaning. Lusso still carries great clothes, but now you can find even more furniture, pillows, and Kate Spade lamps. Look for new arrivals at Dos Resale Boutique. At Clayton’s southern edge, The Fur and Leather Centre sells all varieties of furs in the onetime Byron Cade location. And in DeMun, dotdotdash has evolved from children’s clothing to women’s fashion—and a larger space.

NORTH CITY & COUNTY

In Old North’s Crown Square, designers Kurt Brady and William Morris’ The Gallery lives up to its name, displaying ornate T-shirts (brands like N3VRMND the BRAND and William Morris Fashion) in gold frames. At nearby Le’Fit, women can get a custom fitting for bras and shapewear. Near Forest Park, Bonobos carries fashionable menswear, including a specialized golf section. STL Style House allows you to peruse bags and totes, housewares, and accessories while taking a look at room decor. At Found by the Pound, neatly organized and decorated with graffiti and funky lighting, clothes are just $3 per pound. And in Ferguson, Juanita Morris reopened Juanita's Fashions R Boutique, with the location being larger than the original and accommodating an expansive selection of clothing and hats.

CENTRAL WEST END

At Pass the Past, a resale shop selling clothing, handbangs, accessories, and housewares, customers can peruse a collection of curated antiques and vintage items from St. Louis and even sell their own. National eyewear chain Warby Parker's first St. Louis location, located along Euclid Avenue, has a library-inspired interior with colorful books that complement the various brands and an eye-catching mural created by local artist William LaChance. A historic building on McPherson houses Enchanting Embellishments (think feather shawls and sequined gowns), as well as a greenhouse-turned-tearoom. Fashion–meets–art space projects+gallery sells stunning accessories from its projects+impulse line. Farther east, you can snag a bodycon maxi dress or LBD at A Taste of Luxurie. And, in Maryland Plaza, Suitsupply offers a variety of menswear including knits, suits, and coats to pair with their corduroy collection. For home decor and trinkets, customers can sift through collections of home goods, "necessary luxuries," and art books and accessories at Provisions.

UNIVERSITY CITY

One of U. City’s most modern stores is OSO: a style lab, where co-owners Chris Rubin de la Borbolla and Jen Rieger curate styles as if in a modern art gallery, with pop art–inspired products from St. Louis and abroad. Nearby, longtime Loop boutique Pitaya is organized by color, offering statement jewelry and affordable prices. Since a recent makeover, the interior at Avalon Exchange provides a clean backdrop for funky finds and fall staples. Just east of Skinker, the pink-and-black Parisian interior at Calla Lily Formals holds formal dresses for all ages. Rich Rags on Delmar has a selection of fashionable fringe jackets, denim with sheer sleeves, and slim-fitting dresses. At Flutter City Boutique, a trendy and classic store "full of surprises," customers can shop apparel, accessories, and jewelry, including a number of fun dangling earrings. Finally, on display at Ivy Hill Boutique includes fun, floral wrap skirts, scented candles, and maxi dresses.

ST. CHARLES COUNTY

The cobblestones and streetlamps of historic South Main Street pay homage to a quaint past—and another time-honored St. Charles tradition is shopping at longtime stores Thro’s and Michelle’s. Thro’s offers suits and sportcoats for men; Michelle’s stocks casual frocks, formal dresses, and more for ladies. Ooh La La! stocks affordable, comfortable women’s clothing. MOss Boutique carries trendy accessory brands such as Lenny and Eva and Alex and Ani bracelets. Joys by Austin Warren Design expanded its flagship store to a collective market of 50 local artisans. The rustic-chic market is known for its printed art and floor-length lace dresses; the original store is notable for pocketwatch necklaces. Jake’s on Main sells Life Is Good casual outdoor wear and gifts exclusively. Farther south, at the new Streets of St. Charles development, shoppers can find Leopard Boutique. And in O’Fallon, Two Pink Elephants updates its inventory every few days with such items as chevron dresses, leggings, and tunic tops. Ginsey Rose Boutique carries elegant apparel in sizes small through 3X large, as well as shoes, jewelry, and accessories, and stores like U Defined Boutique and Lucie and Willow sell similar apparel, with drops for every season.

CHESTERFIELD & FAR WEST COUNTY

Chesterfield offers far more than just outlet malls. For a pampered retail experience, visit boutique-meets-salon Ju Ju B’s. Nearby is Rachel’s Grove, which carries casual dresses. A beagle mix named Bailey often greets patrons at Jeans, Jackets & Jewels, which has an athleisure section and top denim brands. Breaking out of the traditional brick-and-mortar format, Pulse Boutique has a strong online presence and notifies email list subscribers about occasional warehouse sales. In Town & Country, Klutch Boutique carries such lines as Show Me Your Mumu and GRLFRND jeans, and Laurie Solet stocks ever-popular Rebecca Minkoff purses. Farther west, in Ellisville, Marta Gaska and daughters Lauren Gaska and Tania Rakel run MOD and longtime retail staple Marta’s Boutique. The former emphasizes affordable options, and both emphasize service. Across the street, La Ville is filled with contemporary womenswear for special occasions. And in Wildwood, Pure by Jen offers women’s clothing and monogramming services, while Heels Boutique stocks shoes and more.

KIRKWOOD & WEBSTER GROVES

Paperdolls has expanded beyond Kirkwood, with locations in Ballwin, University City, and Des Peres. Bohemian pieces fill the rustic-chic interior at Blush Boutique. For the little ones, Lass and Laddie stocks locally designed children’s clothing, and finders keepers sells both new and used fashions. Modern men’s store East+West emphasizes unique fabrics and patterns.

In Webster Groves, both Paisley Boutique and Leopard Boutique offer stylish looks for ladies. The Initial Design, offers children's clothing, women's clothing, custom monograms, and home decor. At Never Enough Boutique, shoppers can find casual yet trendy sweaters with unique patterns, as well as a variety of dresses for any occasion. Those looking for a minimalistic wardrobe can visit Descendant, a store with casual to classy clothes in neutral and muted colors. And Civil Alchemy, located in the Old Orchard business district, sells everything from kitchen tools to gin and maple syrup.

MAPLEWOOD, BRENTWOOD & RICHMOND HEIGHTS

In Maplewood, skilled leather craftsmen create leather belts, purses, and wallets at Sole Survivor. In nearby Brentwood, the family behind the now-shuttered Women’s Closet Exchange operates The Vault Luxury Resale, which carries high-end resale from the likes of Jimmy Choo, David Yurman, and Kate Spade. Urban Matter, a local women owned business, provides a curated selection with an emphasis on independent design, locally, and regionally handcrafted goods. In Richmond Heights, The Boulevard–St. Louis offers retail options across from the Saint Louis Galleria. Laurie Solet stocks ever-popular Rebecca Minkoff purses and makes frequent visits to New York to find comfortable, stylish clothing. Next door, Soft Surroundings emphasizes comfort, with racks of items in stretch jersey and breathable cotton. The pieces epitomize resortwear and transition easily from day to night—ideal for waterfront dining or a sunset stroll on the beach. And, at Zee Bee Market, shoppers can peruse a gift guide full of home decor and kitchenware while shopping for fashionable apparel and jewelry. And Honey’s Child Boutique owner Letitia Young offers plus-size fashions, including such brands as Liv & Kiss, Zellie for She, and Kiyonna.

LADUE, FRONTENAC & CREVE COEUR

Boutiques line a short stretch of Clayton Road in Ladue. Head east to Mister Guy Clothiers. In addition to stocking men’s apparel, it has a women’s branch that employs well-informed stylists. Fronted by a bright-pink door, Pink Magnolia offers Lilly Pulitzer’s classically colorful Palm Beach prints. The racks at Giddyup Jane are filled with classic Western pieces such as flannel shirts and turquoise necklaces, as well as fringed, embroidered, and rusty-red cowgirl boots. Next door, Cha stocks a range of women’s apparel, shoes, and accessories. The staff at Vie can help customers find looks that are “understated but sexy,” as owner Melodie Tauben puts it. And across the street, Lu Lu Belle, a recent addition to the Midwest after a decade in Naples, Florida, carries ultra-cute children’s styles. In Frontenac, Woody’s Men’s Shop offers quality brands like Eton and Baroni, as well as such services as the Made-to-Measure program. On Lindbergh, Sam Cavato Men’s Wear offers fine suits for dapper gentlemen. For fun prints and patterns for children, visit Lu Lu Belle on Clayton, which provides clothes for newborns through a children's size 7/8. And finally, the National Council of Jewish Women’s Resale Shop donates its proceeds to various community programs, including a one-day event during which 1,400 area children receive much-needed clothes for school. And at Dapper Gents Grooming Lounge, men can get a trim, browse sportcoats and leather soles, and get a fresh shoeshine.

SOUTH CITY & SOUTH COUNTY

South City is full of unexpected surprises. Need proof? Head to Cherokee Street’s Antique Row, where you’ll find heirloom shops and furniture stops. You might pick up 1940s nightgown from Retro 101/Cherry Bomb Vintage. At STyLehouse, twin brothers Jeff and Randy Vines specialize in St. Louis–centric shirts.Profield Reserve, a "one-stop-shop" for basic clothing staples like T-shirts, socks, and gym bags, provides casual wear for everyday activities. U. City native and fashion designer Brandin Vaughn runs Brandin Vaughn Collection on Cherokee Street.

Farther north, on South Grand, Parsimonia specializes in “vintage for the modern world,” with old-fashioned items that seamlessly blend into everyday wardrobes. Vintage Haberdashery also offers nostalgic fashion, as well as costumes. The nearby Revive Thrift Shop redefines thrift with a well-curated selection whose proceeds support Mission: St. Louis. In Botanical Heights, Mary Beth Bussen’s Union Studio is full of hand-sewn bowties, turquoise jewelry, and handcrafted clutches. And in the Shaw neighborhood, Mix & Match offers styling services and trunk shows.

METRO EAST

Though MOD has since expanded across the Mississippi, with locations in O’Fallon and St. Charles, it started in Edwardsville. With an emphasis on hot trends at affordable prices, the popular store boasts monthly shopping events and a must-hit annual tent sale. Circa Boutique & Gifts, a clothing and jewelry store that Belleville native Andria Powell opened more than a decade ago in her hometown to sell her custom line of Mellow Mountain jewelry, added a second location, in Edwardsville, last year. The Clothes Line, in Waterloo, carries flirty, fun trends. In Belleville, Peace by Piece stocks its shelves with almost exclusively American-made products, including jewelry from Belleville artisans. At Circa Boutique & Gifts, with locations in Belleville and Edwardsville, Andria Powell sells her custom line of Mellow Mountain jewelry. Don Rodger’s Ltd. carries carefully chosen men’s and women’s fashion and has seamstresses who can help with alterations. On the resale end, Karma on Main, in Glen Carbon, offers designer purses, cowboy boots, and more. Finally, whether you're looking for a comfortable swing dress, a North Face hoodie, or a classic pair of Top-Siders for half price, consider Glik's.

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