Philadelphia may not be New York or L.A., but the city does have its fair share of fashion hotspots. If you’re looking for alternatives to campus-side shopping, head east across the river and check out some of Philly’s one-of-a-kind boutiques.
Sugarcube If you’re shopping on a budget, Sugarcube is not the place for you. But if you want to drool over llama wool scarves, vintage crocodile bags and splurge on something really special, well, you’ve found your spot. A boutique that belongs in trendy New York and not semi-scummy Philadelphia, Sugarcube is tiny but chock full of gems.
Their collection ranges from the best new pieces by APC and Mike and Chris to unique vintage coats, purses, shoes, dresses and more. The selection is a bit quirky — you may not find exactly what you’re looking for, but something is sure to catch your eye. Never fear: inventory turns over frequently. Owner Elisa Burrato is welcoming and always happy to help (The New York Times calls her an “official candidate for friendliest Philadelphian”) and customers rave about her “brilliant” fashion sense. She’ll put together a trendy outfit for you (that won’t go out of style next week) and might be the only person who can track down that red snakeskin vintage clutch you’ve been imagining for years. Start saving your pennies — or looking for a sugar daddy — because Sugarcube is worth it. —Grace Ambrose
Ubiq Located at the center of Philadelphia’s Center City fashion district, Ubiq sells street wear ranging from sneakers and t-shirts to watches and accessories. Inspired by the word ubiquitous, it is anything but — the shop truly caters to a crowd all its own. Their motto is, after all, “If New York fashion will not come to Philadelphia, Philadelphia fashion has to make our own way.”
Assistant manager Ryan, a Philadelphia local, has worked at Ubiq for years. He said the key to success in the fashion industry is providing customers something they can't find anywhere else. And it is their specialty items that keep the customers coming back. Designer furniture and decorations set the tone of the shop.
Each of the four rooms spanning the boutique's two floors cater to an individual theme. The front sneaker display room is particulary striking, complete with marble floors, sparkling colored lights and an impressive selection of stylized Nikes, Reeboks, Pumas, Asics and more. Vans and Converse are curated upstairs adjacent to a separate room housing the Stussy Chapter Store.
Ubiq appeals to sneaker freaks of all ages. One 13-year old patron, Andrew, says it all: “This is the big boys’ toy shop.” —Janice Shiu
Art in the Age Discover a refreshing shopping experience with Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction — Art in the Age for short. Hidden behind the buzz of Old City’s restaurant scene, this forward-thinking boutique would please Urban Outfitter fans, artists, graphic tee fanatics and environmentalists alike.
The philosophy behind this lifestyle brand has roots in its eccentric name. The store was founded on the principles of Walter Benjamin, the German cultural theorist who analyzed the forces of politics, mass production and artistic development under capitalism in his essay “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction". The founders interpreted Benjamin’s message as a plea to make art something more than just a hang-up on a wall. Thus, Art in the Age was created to reproduce art in more accessible — and wearable — forms.
What started out as a small screen-printed T-shirt store soon evolved into a holistic boutique that promotes a well-rounded, sustainable lifestyle. All pieces of clothing are designed by local artists and made with the highest-quality environmentally-friendly fabrics. T-shirts range from $15-40 while limited-line signature dresses peak at $300. The $15 screen-printed totes are also a treat that are light on the wallet.
The shop thrives on great gift-giving ideas: try a box of organic mint tea ($7), a DIY quilt-making set ($75) or an artsy coffee table book ($30). They also carry their own line of organic and natural stationary, fragrances and body products. Screen prints by local artists are also on sale at $40 each. Walter Benjamin would most certainly approve. —Michelle Lee
