THE BEST BOUTIQUES | THE VILLAGE DISTRICT
The Village District is all about shopping and dining. And when we say “shopping,” we’re basically referring to all the fantastic clothing boutiques in the area. There’s probably nowhere else in the Triangle with as many cute women’s fashion establishments per capita as these few streets in the heart of Raleigh. (No, we didn’t fact check that last sentence, but have a wander around the Village District and tell us we’re wrong!) From the latest trends and labels to vintage fashion finds, this neighborhood has it all. We’re breaking down the best boutiques in the Village District - in our opinion - in this post. But hey, you don’t have to pick just one when it’s so easy (and walkable) to shop them all in the same day!
620 Likes, 17 Comments - @uniquities on Instagram: "Green means go.🚦Make an entrance in our @amandauprichard Gunnar Jumpsuit | 📸: @threeregionnc"
UNIQUITIES
Perhaps the boutique that started it all around here, Uniquities is the go-to spot if you want to learn exactly what’s in style right now. This upscale boutique specializes in big brands, emerging labels, and designer denim, and the Village store is their biggest outpost! If you’re looking for quality jeans in Raleigh, this is the place for you - we’re talking Citizens of Humanity, Frame, Seven for all Mankind, J Brand, and more. They also carry all of the best fashion brands for women from young to old(er), so it’s the perfect place for a mother-daughter shop. Whether you need ensembles for work or play, they’ve got an array of brands like Vince, Barbour, See by Chloe, Self-Portrait, Alexis, and Michelle Mason. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a cocktail dress, jacket, shoes, swimsuit, or jewelry, Uniquities is always on trend. The best part? Their customer service is impeccable. Just tell the Uniquities staff (who are basically stylists) what you’re looking for and they’ll pull pieces to suit your every need. Honestly, you could probably trust them to curate a whole season’s wardrobe...
251 Likes, 14 Comments - Ivy & Leo (@ivyandleo) on Instagram: "Grab your besties and shop with us all the long weekend! We've got an *amazing* sale happening this..."
IVY & LEO
Another boutique where the stylists can dress you from head to toe, this trendy and colorful clothing boutique for fashionable females features tops, bottoms, shoes, dresses, and accessories that won’t destroy your wallet. Truly, this is the place to go if you need an affordable dress for any and all occasions. From casual to elegant, Ivy & Leo is all about fun fashion and capitalizing on the latest trends. They even host events, like their Fall Fashion Kickoff with giveaways, gift cards, discounts, and food. They’ve got locations all over North and South Carolina, but in Cameron Village, you’ll find them in their iconic pink brick shop!
THE LOCAL SQUIRREL
Okay, we’re taking a quick break from fashion to talk about this beautiful boutique. The Local Squirrel not only has the best name of any shop in the Village District, it’s also the best place to shop for gifts! Housewarming, birthdays, teachers, Mother’s Day, just because, you name it - this should be one of the very first places you go when you need to buy a present but you’re not quite sure what to get! They’ve got an eclectic and chic collection of home decor, jewelry, stationery, accessories, general lifestyle accouterments, and other gifts to choose from. With its selection of eye candy pieces and local artwork, it’s the kind of place that just makes you want to have a look around - and touch everything! Recently, the Local Squirrel hosted an “As Seen on HGTV” Party with local makers who supply artwork for the show Love It or List It, so you know their stuff is good. The only problem with this store? You just might want to buy everything. Try going to the Village District and not stopping in.
LORI + LULU
lori + lulu is perfect combination of luxury and leisure, and as one Yelp reviewer said, “If heaven were a clothing store, this is where I’d live.” (While we’re not totally sure what that means, we can get on board with the sentiment behind it.) With their laid back yet stylish pieces for all ages of women and a staff that can help you put together the perfect outfit, it’s a comfortable and fun place to shop. As for the clothing and accessories at lori+lulu, think boho, trendy, flowy, and beachy yet fabulous things you’ll love wearing - no surprise since most of their brands come from California. You’ll find names like Hale Bob, Alice & Trixie, Johnny Was, Young Fabulous & Broke, and Liberty Garden. Oh, and their jewelry selection is one of the best in the Village District for both casual and statement pieces with handmade gems by Bittersweet and Julio.
63 Likes, 1 Comments - MADISON (@madisonraleigh) on Instagram: "This dress makes everyone smile ☺️ *Link in bio to shop* {Bloomsbury Shift Dress, $54}⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀..."
MADISON, BELLA MAR, FRANCESCA’S, THE IMPECCABLE PIG, FAB’RIK
Bevello might have closed, but there’s no shortage of boutiques left in the Village District that cater to the young, modern (okay, we’ll say it, college-aged) woman. With the latest trends and plenty of tailgate-ready outfits that won’t break the bank, MADISON, Bella Mar, Francesca’s, The Impeccable Pig, and fab’rik are all great options if you’re looking for that perfect brightly colored cocktail dress, “going out” top, cozy sweater, or the perfect felt hat for fall. We’re not saying these shops are all the same, but if this is the sort of style and price range you’re looking for, we’d recommend just popping into all of them to see if anything catches your eye! And yes, even if you’re out of college, you can definitely still wear this stuff.
22 Likes, 2 Comments - CT Weekends (@ctweekends) on Instagram: "Introducing Yacco Maricard blouses - direct from Japan."
CT WEEKENDS
For the more refined and mature female, this ladies boutique brings fashion, jewelry, and handbags fresh from Europe to Raleigh. Brands include Didier Parakian, Lissette L, Pleats Please, Babette, Cotelac, Ribkoff, Barbara Rihl, Max Debraine, and more. They offer great service and tend to favor the right fit over trends so that clients are satisfied with their final look. They know what you’ll look good in, and that’s why we like them. CT Weekends features cocktail dresses, sweaters, geometric jewelry, and handbags. And in the fall, you just know they’ll have all the scarves and ponchos you could ever need! This shop and its owners also get involved with the local community by inviting over musicians, designers, and even restaurateurs (yes, with food!) for regular events and trunk shows in the store!
68 Likes, 9 Comments - Fifi's Durham/Raleigh/Carrboro (@fifisconsignment) on Instagram: "We LOVED having @fairlysouthern and @mickschulte visit our Cameron Village location to snap some..."
FIFI’S FINE RESALE APPAREL
For lovers of vintage fashion and classic brands, we had to include Fifi’s on this list. With locations in Durham, Carrboro, and The Village District, this isn’t your average thrifting experience. This is Raleigh’s best designer resale boutique for fans of fashion (both young and old) because they’re particular about the items they accept and resell. They specialize in couture pieces from high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, and Prada, but you’ll also find names like BCBG, Dolce and Gabbana, Coach, Lilly Pulitzer, Stuart Weitzman, Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade, and Diane von Furstenberg. We love this spot because you’re guaranteed to find something unique - perhaps a statement clutch or a retro bangle - that nobody else has (and you won’t pay retail for it). Plus, if you’ve got items you want to sell to Fifi’s, you’re always welcome to have a chat with the staff! You never know what you’ll find, and there’s no appointment needed to browse.