Independent Fashion Boutiques - do they exist where you live and do you shop in them? - YouLookFab Forum

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Independent Fashion Boutiques - do they exist where you live and do you shop in them?

Sal

Veteran

Hi All

By independent boutiques I mean shops stocking a variety of labels - either local or international.

I don't mean mall/chain stores (such as J Crew), department stores (such as Nordstrom or Macy), or designer stores (stocking only one label whether it is Chanel or local - such as Kilt or Ruby or Annah S here.)

In general I think for boutiques:

Prices are on the high side but there are sales
The quality is normally good-excellent.
Usually they are owner operated with a handful of experienced retail assistants.
Service is usually strong (some people like this and others don't)
Return and sales policies are not as generous as with chain stores.
You are not anonymous - some shops buy with customers in mind or email pics of new pieces etc... Certainly the ones I follow use instagram to promote their new ranges.
Often are involved in local events or host wine nights etc

I live in a provincial city with about 120000 people with small commuting towns nearby (about 4). In our city there are 8-10 independent boutiques specialising in apparel. There is a range - some are high end, some also have men's clothes, some also stock footwear and accessories and gifts (eg candles).....Three of these are firm favourites for me - one or two are not quite my style. They range from edgy to more conservative in their offerings.

I rarely hear people on the forum that shop at these sorts of places- and I wondered if they were not a feature where you live. They are my favourite place to shop and often my best pieces come from these retailers. I do buy online as well and patronise chain stores and thrift/consignment stores.....I have added six items from boutiques this year - two pairs of footwear, two dresses, a jacket, a sweater. Five of the six are instant success stories - one is a bit more marginal.

Do independent fashion boutiques exist in your town/area/city and if so do you like shopping there?

What do you like?

What don't you like?

Thanks in advance.

Shopping

52 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Jane

Veteran

I love the independent boutiques in my home town and I’m so grateful for the personal help and knowledge that the sales assistants / owners have to offer. BUT I do need to recognise that I find it very difficult to say no when shopping in them. So I only go in a very few times each year and make sure that I have lots of time!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Since I'm not sure yet what my new city offers, I'll answer about my former city, which is similar in size to yours, Sally.

The downtown area where I lived was home to roughly the same number of independent "boutique" type shops for women's clothing as you mentioned. The number does go up or down from time to time.

Several serve a younger clientele (we are a university town); several serve a less fashion forward clientele. There are really only two or three that stock lines of interest to me -- but they're difficult places for me to shop for several reasons.

Shop #1 carries some designers/ manufacturers whose clothing appeals to me -- but they favour black items so heavily that there is almost nothing else on the racks! They are also extremely expensive. Really beyond my price range except for the rare item.

Shop #2 also carries a couple of lines that I like but they don't often have items in my size. The return policies are tight, and I don't trust the judgement of the sales associates.

Shop #3 also carries a few lines I like -- but again, it is rare for me to find something in my size.

In boutiques I often feel overly observed or pressured to buy. My worst "mistakes' have been purchased under that kind of pressure. I like time to deliberate on my own. I'm not against shopping in an independent store on principle; but I'd really need a good relationship with the owner or buyer or sales associate.

We do have an independent shoe store in that city that I love -- I regularly buy my footwear there.

rachylou

Veteran

Yes, my town has boutiques and my neighborhood has 3-4. There used to be 5 - but one closed down, my favorite of course. Actually, my town pretty much doesn’t allow chains, except for pharmacies and a couple of McDonalds.Neighboring towns do tho.

The thing is, I was born in this town. These shops have been here almost my whole life and the style is set and the quality is high. One really does not need to visit often. My shopping has dropped off dramatically since moving back.

Staysfit

Veteran

Yes, my area has boutiques. There are a fair number of them. When Toban was here I took her to a shoe boutique. Across the street were two clothing boutiques. Down the road are more. I have no idea of the numbers. The area is made up of a conglomeration of small towns and cities, each with its own set of boutiques.

I either shop online or in boutiques. I avoid our mall.

Mainelady

Veteran

We have several boutique shops here. Some cater primarily to the tourists with lots of themed items boasting the area. Others are what I consider to be true boutiques. Lovely merchandise, usually higher priced, but of excellent quality. Those boutiques appeal to the locals and the tourists. Most of the boutiques are only open seasonally ( May - the end of Oct). Some stay open through the holiday shopping season and offer Midnight Madness sales. One boutique does stay open on Thursdays, or by appointment in the winter months. DH usually gets me a gift certificate for my favorite boutique and I know to go as soon as it is open for the season, to get the best choices in my size.

Style Fan

Veteran

I prefer to shop at Independent boutiques and rarely go to malls. I do a tiny bit of online shopping. I don't go to a place where the SAs are overly friendly but I do go to places where they know the product. I don't need a lot of clothing but I expect my clothing to last awhile. I am willing to pay for quality.
The city where I lived for most of my working career had several independent boutiques. Some were very successful and are still open decades later. I have a favourite one in a town near where I use to live. They know me. They also have a generous return policy. I bought a pair of jeans in May or June of this year and returned them. Bought another pair. Then returned those ones. Came back and bought another pair. Returned those ones. Finally bought a pair that I kept. No problem. Everyone was super friendly and said they wanted to make sure I got the right ones. I probably bought a large portion of my working wardrobe there.
For a short period of time, Mr SF and I lived in a small town that had some great indie boutiques. One carried Sarah Pacini and Sandwich. I was a frequent customer there. I still have some of the pieces I bought from her.
In the town I live now there are a few indie boutiques. The clothing ones don't interest me but the shoe one is great. I buy lots from them. They also have a decent return policy. I have gone into boutiques that have signs that say no exchanges or returns. I leave. I refuse to buy clothes from places like that.

Anonymous

Yes, we have a few in the various towns. They generally cater to the wealthy retirees and tourists, and offerings tend to skew nautical/casual (its a water oriented area), but i have found a few gems among the dressy things. I pop in pretty often so the salespeople know me so they're not pushy. I definitely prefer that experience to department stores, but wish they'd carry my colors more!

Anonymous

There are a few boutiques, but I only window-shopped those boutiques. I have never entered.

kkards

Veteran

my smallish city (300K) has many, and there are 10 or so in my neighborhood....a couple that offer true designer wear, i shop these once a year at the neighborhood side walk sale where they heavly discount last season merchandise...4 offer higher end brands, and i do shop these more often, but for me, they are often hit or miss with product and sizes. in addition, they tend to be more pushy and try to talk me into things i know aren't right, either fit is off or doesn't fit my life. in addition they make me feel guilty if i try something on, it fits, but then i dont buy it...sometimes it looks good on the hanger, might even look good on me, but something just feels "not right" to me...
anyway, yes, i do shop at the local independent boutiques, but i wonder what will happen to them in the future as, at least in my neighborhood, only 2 new ones have openned in the last 20 year, and 1 of them only lasted 1.5 years and i'm not sure the other will last thru the end of this year.

LaPed

Veteran

I live in a rural area with a fairly strong local economy. Shopping is dispersed between a number of small towns. The one that is home to a college campus has a couple of locally-owned women's boutiques and a men's boutique, in addition to a number of fashion chains such as JCrew and Talbots. The shopping plaza in the next town over has a boutique that skews very boho, plus an LLBean and a locally-owned kids clothing store. There are also a handful of consignment shops scattered throughout the area; one caters to the hipster/vintage crowd; one is largely high-end/designer pieces; the others mostly stock stuff from our large number of preppy brands (JCrew, Talbots, LL Bean).

ETA: I buy almost everything online these days, unless I get lucky and find something perfect at a thrift store (I consign a fair amount of my unwanted clothing, but any store credit I earn usually goes towards purchasing clothes for DS, not me -- love the mom&kids consignment model!).

Molly Mac

Veteran

I live in a big city and we have a bit of everything including many lovely boutiques. I tend to window shop but rarely buy anything. I find that they carry limited sizes which leads to shopping frustration. I also find the return policy is frequently store credit which means that I end up buying something that I don't need/want just so I don't have to keep going back. We do have some wonderful shoe boutiques that I frequent.

Toban

Veteran

The shoe boutique that Staysfit took me to is fantastic! The purple Noat sandals I got there were worn very frequently this summer. The perfect outfit completer.

I tend to shop at boutiques when travelling and generally in smaller communities. I find it difficult to find boutiques that suit me in larger cities unless I simply stumble across them. A great window display will pull me in. My success rate isn’t awesome, though, because I prefer petite cuts which I’ve seen only at larger chain stores.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I live in the suburbs with access to lots of malls, and few independent stores/boutiques. This upcoming weekend I am going away for a few days to a location that only has boutiques in its Main Street/shopping area so I am planning to look around for sure.

Anonymous

I live in a much bigger city than yours, Sally, and also live in an area where there are a wealth of indie boutiques of all kinds. I know almost all of the store owners (through my work as a sales rep) and do like shopping in the handful that cater to my preferences. There are boutiques covering all price points, and although I'd love to browse and shop in all of them, I don't go to the higher-end ones anymore. Just too tempting . I've learned to hold my ground when shopping and to feel confident and welcome even when I'm not buying anything . I like to chat a little bit to the shop owner or the staff on the floor even when I'm in a new place - I feel it's polite and I like hearing about the store at the same time. The only thing that bugs me about many of these shops is the return policy (usually lack thereof). I know why those policies are the way they are, but to get stuck with a credit note is reason enough not to buy something. My favourite shop - which sells Part One and Sandwich - has this policy and I absolutely hate it . I can't afford to have my money tied up in miscellaneous places . All this said, many of my best pieces of clothing come from indie boutiques - they inject the bits of uniqueness and interest into a wardrobe.

abc

Veteran

I think this is what's lacking in my small-ish town. There are a ton of boutiques carrying cheap, poor quality clothes and accessories. There is not one of them that carries a good range of items and sizes. The shoe situation is even worse. Too bad I'm not up for opening a store

The store in town with the best quality IMHO is a local "chain" (I think there may be 5-6 stores across the country). They design and manufacture their own items, all with Mexican motifs. They retain a boutique feel because the store is small and their offering is narrow and focused. High quality fabrics, good construction and amazing designs keep me going back for "niche" products. This was my latest - a hoodie with an exaggerated hood with Coco fabric.

There must be boutiques in the large city an hour away, but I haven't discovered any.

Then there's San Miguel de Allende, about 1.5 hours away with a ton of boutiques. Maybe I should plan a girls' weekend there just to check them out!

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Bijou

Veteran

Yes there are a number of independent boutiques in my city and I shop in a number of them. They don't allow for returns, which is very disappointing. My favourite independent boutique did allow you to take things home to check and you could return - no problem. However the owner has changed and I imagine that the policy has as well.

My feelings towards independent boutiques are probably the same as Lisa P's - some of my best purchases have come from them, but alas also some of my orphans that just recently have been edited out of my wardrobe.

My two favourite shoe stores, where I purchase 80% of my shoes are independent boutiques. Most shoe stores in my city do not allow returns, so I tend to stick to tried and true shoe labels that I know have worked for my feet previously.

Sara L.

Veteran

Yes, there are a few around here. I never shop in them though - like Suz says I feel overly observed and pressured. Plus, I rarely shop anymore and usually only somewhere like Target when I'm already there for some other reason.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes, lots of those in Seattle (which is one of the biggest and main cities in the US). I never shop in them.

Christina F.

Veteran

I'm in NYC, and boutiques are easy to find, but I avoid them for a number of highly personal reasons. I feel bad about it, though, because small businesses in this city badly need business. On the other hand, I feel that most of the ones ion the UWS, where I live, are on the pricey side for me.

I don't like going into a place and not knowing how the pricing is, and sizing will work on items. This can be a barrier to me trying new chain stores, even, but usually I can at least consult others on fit before trying those places. Price is obviously easy to scope out for chains.

Also, I really like to be left alone when I shop, and I hate feeling like I need to buy.

I also really need a generous return policy. I sometimes need some time with an item at home before I truly decide to keep it.

That said, I should at least check out some of the boutiques in my area for accessories and jewelry. I often buy that kind of thing from boutiques when I travel.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Interesting that you Angie ,who after all does fashion for a living ,never shops in independent boutiques,l wonder what your reasons are ?I don’t either ,too expensive on the whole but I do love a poke around as they can have more individuality than the high street.l agree that shopping in them isn’t always a comfortable experience as they lack the anonymity of the large high street shop .I tend to scuttle in when someone else has engaged the shop assistants attention then scuttle quickly back out again.

Kathie

Veteran

We have a couple cute boutiques in the “downtown” of my suburb, and lots of boutiques in the city, which is only a mile away (over a million population.) I bought a necklace at the boutique, and and have contemplated a number of scarves, but no clothing yet. Much of what the boutique closest to me carries is interesting prints and embroidered items, so doesn’t lend itself to my more uniform style.

anne

Veteran

Same city as Bijou, so see above! However I rarely go to them as I am easily intimidated and they are often over my budget.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I occasionally enter them to see what is being carried, styling ideas, accessories, etc. Boutiques rarely carry my size.

Jules

Veteran

I had one I loved. The owner knew her neighbourhood clientele and our lifestyles and price point well. She acted like a personal stylist, pulling things I wouldn't have considered otherwise. She'd also be honest about what wasn't working. Eventually, she would order stuff from suppliers for me, and tried to track down old stock on a dress my DD wanted for grade 6 grad (we'd seen it in the window the year before but didn't know what size she would need when the time came). I only made a few mistakes shopping there and loved the experience - she became a sort of friend and I bought her champagne when she closed the business on New Year's eve last winter. For several seasons I got my best jeans and statement pieces there.

She did not accept returns, only exchanges on full price items. But again, once we had an established relationship, I made very few mistakes there. I don't believe I actually have the right to hang onto clothes for weeks for free while I make up my mind, and I don't expect small local business to be able to provide the same return policies as multinationals. So if I wasn't 100% I didn't buy. I don't think I ever went back for something come to think of it... so it is possible to be decisive in store, for me. I would prefer my neighbourhood keep its small business character as well. We are in fact being taken over by boring chain outlets in all categories (not just clothing but food and housewares as well), making me head to other areas that are just starting the gentrification process instead.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I love indie boutiques, but I generally don't shop for clothing there. Most don't carry my size, and looking for it makes me feel bad about myself, so I don't. I'll look there for jewelry, accessories, and home goods, though.

Anonymous

There are a few boutiques in my city. One carries a lot of Smythe Les Vestes so I go in fairly often to check out their wares. But I don’t buy much from them. Usually about one piece a year.

There is also a boutique that carries Saint James and Sarah Pacini. I like to go in but don’t buy much either.

Gretchen

Veteran

I tend to shop indie boutiques when I'm vacationing out of town. I like getting the sense of what's trendy in that location. It's also been a fun way to find new brands (for example, I discovered Brighton jewelry in Vail, CO, not through their mall shop.)

But I don't tend to shop the boutiques in my home town unless I've got a specific thing to look for, or a time sensitive need.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all for your comments.

There are a few themes coming though:

On the negative side-

1) Fashion boutiques can be expensive.
2) Return policies are not as generous as department or chain stores.
3) Size and colour range is more limited precluding some shoppers.
4) Some managers/staff can be too invasive.
5) It is too personal a relationship for people who like to be left alone whilst shopping.

On the positive side -

1) Some find individual or unique pieces that add to their closet.
2) Popular whilst on holiday and people have more time.
3) Some managers or owners do a great job of cultivating relationships and stock with clients in mind.
4) Can be good end of season sales.

We are all different with varying needs - and priorities - with different budgets too. And personality plays a large part - if you don't want advice in store boutiques can be frustrating.

Almost 100% of the time I shop alone - about once a year I will shop with a friend. I shop in person three ways - sometimes popping into a boutique when I am in the area, dedicated search of shops in an area, or whilst on holiday, day trip. The return policy does not worry me if I am trying on in store - and I have mostly had good experiences with service both with quality issues and in store - I find staff point me in directions that I might not have thought of myself. And I do love to support NZ labels and independant retailers - and the memory of the shopping leaves me feeling very fond of the garment right from the start.

I will come back to this later and have another read and see what other conclusions I come to.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Cardiff Girl, many reasons:

I hardly ever like the merchandise and the colour palette
When I do, they never have my size! And can't ship it to me.
Not the best return policies
Don't like SA's hovering over me

I am a department store gal, through and through.

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