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Lucky Magazine has crowned Philadelphia one of the 25 top cities for shopping in the entire country, thanks to excellent boutiques like Kimberly, located in Rittenhouse. (Photo courtesy Kimberly Boutique)

Huge news for Philadelphia’s retail scene: Lucky Magazine recently released its list of the 25 best cities for shopping in the country, and Philadelphia is included!

Check out what they had to say about Philly: “Why We Love It: Most malls and shopping centers are a highway’s drive away, making the city itself a haven for pockets of small boutique shopping. Also, there’s no sales tax on clothing.”

Specific boutiques they highlight include the venerable Joan Shepp, Arcadia Boutique, Knitwit and Kimberly Boutique, all in Rittenhouse.

We adore each of their picks, but be sure to include Old City’s 3rd Street, Northern Liberties, Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, University City and other enclaves around the city in your shopping trips.

Check out Lucky’s full guide to Philadelphia shopping here. And Visit Philly has you covered with a comprehensive shopping guide here.

Congrats to all the magnificent local shops and boutiques on much-deserved praise from one of the industry’s major authorities.

The 25 Best Cities for Shopping [Lucky]

Free People makes an excellent addition to the Walnut Street shopping stronghold in Center City. (Photo courtesy Free People)

This past Friday, January 27, marked the official opening date of the Philadelphia area’s third Free People store, after locations in King of Prussia and Ardmore.

Adding to the appeal of Walnut Street’s popular shopping corridor, the Philadelphia-based label has found a home at 1625 Walnut Street, and is just steps away from sister stores Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.

Formerly home to Newman Galleries, Free People’s new 3,956-square-foot, bi-level space has been revamped to reflect the brand’s signature bohemian-chic vibe. The walls of the loft-like space were whitewashed to emphasize the texture of their original brick and plaster construction, while the storefront’s large, floor-to-ceiling window fills the space with natural light, adding to the open, airy aesthetic.

Pops of color occupy every corner of the store, from the organic-inspired mobiles dangling from the ceiling to the dressing rooms’ painted murals, supplied by Philadelphia artists.

Store hours at Free People Walnut are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Free People
1625 Walnut Street
www.freepeople.com

Nicole Miller has two locations in Philadelphia, one in Manayunk and one in the Shops at the Bellevue, and both are holding a great winter sale. Enjoy 50-75% off select merchandise from this Sunday, January 15 through Tuesday, January 31. It’s a perfect opportunity to pick up luxe winter pieces for much less than their retail value. The versatility and ageless aesthetic of Miller’s designs have established a fan following of fashionistas worldwide. Hop on the bandwagon if you haven’t already. [Nicole Miller Winter Sale]

Philadelphia boutiques have all you need to keep warm this winter, from fuzzy scarves at Addiction Studios to Wooden Ships brand mittens convertible for using your phone, at SA VA. (Right photo courtesy Addiction Studios, left courtesy Wooden Ships)

Now that the thermometer has finally caught up with the calendar, you may need a couple of extra layers of clothing to keep you warm.

In addition, it doesn’t hurt to complement the cozy scarves and sweaters with locally made and stocked beauty products (for men and women both) that keep you hydrated this winter.

Here are our top picks for winter-perfect, locally sourced fashion and beauty necessities (including a great uwishunu-readers-only-deal!):

MOKO

• Treat yourself to an Ancient Herbal Oatmeal Marble Stone Facial at MOKO. It’s an Indian tradition that uses organic oatmeal, herbs, oil and warmed marble stones. Normally $150, Uwishunu readers who print this out and take to MOKO from January 10-24 can take advantage of it for only $125!

• MOKO also offers customized jojoba oils for your skin, hair and body. Let MOKO’s technicians blend jojoba with essential oils suited for your specific needs.

Scarlett Alley

• While the last thing you may want to do in cold weather is go barefoot, you may reconsider that once you hear about Barefoot Dreams, a line of oh-so-warm robes, throws and shawls. The long-ribbed cozy, in particular, is like the “ultimate snuggie.”

• Layering is especially important in winter and Yala Bamboo clothing — specifically the leggings and undershirts — are perfect underneath dresses, skirts, pants and itchy wool sweaters.

• Hat Attack earmuffs are knit with rabbit fur and will protect your ears from frostbite and keep you looking super cute.

• To keep your body soft, try Fresh Seaberry Restorative Body Cream, which is a great restorative winter skin remedy.

Continue reading, below.

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For the entire month of January, South Moon Under in Center City is hosting a blow-out winter sale.

You’ll receive up to 75% off in-season merchandise!

Translation: you can stock up on warm sweaters, scarves, boots, coats, gloves and the like for much less than those items’ face value.

You can also shop online with the code “EXTRA25.”

Warm up even more after you get your winter gear with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate at Di Bruno Bros. across the street, or La Colombe around the corner.

South Moon Under
1731 Chestnut Street
www.SouthMoonUnder.com

Help support the latest addition to the local fashion scene, now open on historic Fabric Row. (Photo courtesy Moon & Arrow)

Fabric Row is growing way beyond its material roots.

No longer is it only famous for being spot-on for the perfect cotton or merely a place for antique lace. These days organic salons and hip BYOBs are opening amongst the stores once solely identified with overflowing shelves of silk, tulle and damask.

The latest retailer to open on South 4th Street is Moon & Arrow, a handmade jewelry and vintage boutique.

Once only an online presence, Moon & Arrow, which opened a few weeks ago, is now a tactile store amid a sea of textile shops.

The boutique’s inventory is highly influenced by the preferences of owner Chelsea Pearce, naturally. It contains vintage apparel and housewares, locally-made terrariums and artwork.

Also available is a sizable supply of handmade jewelry, which will be one part boho and another part organic. The unusual trinkets are comprised of unique vintage pieces, rough-cut stones and crystals, reclaimed suede, naturally-shed antler and beadwork.

Hours of operation are: Monday/Wednesday/Thursday, noon-6 p.m.; Friday, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Moon & Arrow is closed on Tuesdays.

Moon & Arrow
727 S. 4th Street
www.moonandarrow.com

Philadelphia boutiques Arcadia and Bus Stop love to collaborate. Not only do they share their clientele, but they have a common mission to bring the best hard-to-find eco-chic fashions to Philly.

Tonight, Thursday, October 20, from 6-9 p.m., they’re hosting a great joint event: a launch party for their look book titled “Faces of Philly.” This combined effort, part of DesignPhiladelphia, showcases the two boutiques’ picks of the hottest apparel and shoes from both shops modeled by none other than their very own customers.

Each model in the look book shares her personal story, including her style inspiration, which helps to play an integral part in making up the city’s design as well as its diverse culture.

During the party at Arcadia’s Northern Liberties location, Bus Stop’s pop-up shop will be on-hand with the latest shoe styles. Reps from both boutiques will be available to help you create your own autumn look from head-to-toe.

With every purchase at the event, customers will receive a free copy of Faces of Philly. It’s enough to put a smile on any face.

DesignPhiladelphia Faces of Philly Launch Party with Arcadia and Bus Stop Boutiques
When: Thursday, October 20, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Arcadia Boutique, 819 N. 2nd Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.busstopboutique.com

Sansom Street shuts down for a very cool outdoor fashion event tomorrow evening.
(Photo courtesy SA VA)

On Thursday, September 15 from 6-8 p.m., local eco-friendly clothing designer and entrepreneur Sarah Van Aken will host the SA VA “Rediscovered Roots” Fall Fashion Show to debut the fall and winter 2011 lines from SA VA, her ethical line of women’s ready-to-wear apparel.

Held as part of the 13-day citywide fashion and style celebration called the Philadelphia Collection, Van Aken’s third annual fall fashion show and community street fair will once again take place outside on the 1700 block of Sansom Street (by the brand’s Center City flagship store at 1700 Sansom Street), using the middle of the street as the catwalk.

Surrounding neighbors and businesses will participate in outdoor vending and there will be a DJ, live musical performance by electric violinist Caryn Lin, and special guest speakers.

It’s a great chance to support local shopping (sustainable to boot!) and the arrival of the fresh fall season. One more reason to attend: the event will sponsor the Susan G. Komen Foundation breast cancer research organization, with all proceeds from the evening’s raffle (prizes-wise, think $50 gift certificates to Square 1682, spa pedicure packages from Tierra Mia Organic Nail Spa and more) going towards the foundation.

Note: the event’s rain date is September 16.

SA VA “Rediscovered Roots” Fall Fashion Show
When: Thursday, September 15, 6-8 p.m.
Where: 1700 block of Sansom Street
Cost: Free
More info: www.savafashion.com

Menagerie Boutique, a high-end women’s clothing and accessories boutique, opened this week at Eagle Village Shops in Wayne.

Menagerie is the brainchild of local Kate Lawson, who combined her business degree with her creative side to create what she calls a “women’s maven.”

Carried at Menagerie are labels like William Rast, Stella McCartney, Freelook Paris, Maggie Ward, Gräf & Lantz and more. Most are lines that you won’t see anywhere else on the Main Line, perhaps not even in the whole commonwealth. Of special note is a dress line by Beverly Karnell that’s specially designed for the store; Menagerie has already pre-sold six.

The jewelry collection, a mixed batch from designers in the U.S. (including Lawson herself) and overseas, is spectacular, complete with inexpensive costume pieces, as well as bejeweled pricier pieces in sterling silver with 24 karat overlay. The handbags, too, are worth the trip. Check out Torregrossa; Menagerie is one of only four stores in the country to pick them up.

Lawson purposely only orders a very limited supply of merchandise. She warns that if you wait until next week to purchase an item, you won’t see what you were eyeing today.

Menagerie is now open seven days a week and will be participating in the Eagle Village Shops sidewalk sale this Thursday through Saturday.

Menagerie
503 W. Lancaster Avenue
www.eaglevillageshops.com

Liz Scarlett’s homey Old City boutique is the soup-to-nuts of home stores, offering everything from hot pink flatware to earthy tea sets. (Photo courtesy Scarlett Alley)

If folks mistake you for a stowaway on a train because your bag looks like a rag on a stick, then get to Scarlett Alley boutique in Old City this Thursday, August 25 for a trunk show featuring the handbags of HOBO International.

Since 1993 Scarlett Alley has been bringing the “new” to Old City. And this Thursday marks the kick-off to a fall season full of events which will highlight brands that have been with them since the beginning.

Celebrate the history, evolution and partnership of both Scarlett Alley and HOBO International as you munch on yummy sides-on-a-stick (think fruit skewers, tomato and mozzarella) and, keeping with the hobo/train theme, imbibe on sidecars: a delish brandy concoction.

Favors such as reusable bags and coupons towards a future event will be given out and two door prizes (HOBO wallets) will be awarded throughout the evening.

The best part? This night only the entire stock of HOBO International handbags will be 20% off, while all summer bags, jewelry, scarves and hats will be 60% off.

Happy shopping!

Scarlett Alley
When: Thursday, August 25, 4:30-8 p.m.
Where: 241 Race Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.scarlettalley.com