Shopping - Boston 2009 - page 206

Back Bay store is many things the original isn't (well lit and scrubbed clean, just to
name two), but I find the merchandise roughly equivalent to the stock at other
branches. Still, in this neighborhood, any store that acknowledges the concept of dis-
counts is definitely worth a look. 497 Boylston St. & 800/843-8474 or 617/424-5520. www.
filenesbasement.com. T: Green Line to Copley.
FASHION
In addition, see “Shoes & Boots” and “Vintage & Secondhand Clothing” later in this
chapter.
ADULTS
The Back Bay is New England's top destination for swanky boutiques and if-you-have-
to-ask-you-can't-afford-it designer shops. Definitely check out the second level of Cop-
ley Place, but don't go anywhere until you've explored the retail fantasyland that is
Newbury Street. Bring your platinum card to (take a deep breath) Chanel, 15 Arling-
ton St., in the Taj Boston ( & 617/859-0055); Ermenegildo Zegna, 39 Newbury St.
( & 617/424-6657); Hermès of Paris, 22 Arlington St. ( & 617/482-8707); kate spade,
117 Newbury St. ( & 617/262-2632); La Perla, 250 Boylston St. ( & 617/423-5709);
and Nanette Lepore, 119 Newbury St. ( & 617/421-9200).
American Apparel A leading light of the anti-sweatshop movement, Ameri-
can Apparel is so sincere that you might expect the clothes to be the fabric equivalent
of Brussels sprouts. But the women's and men's T-shirts, underwear, and other fash-
ionable knits—all manufactured in downtown L.A.—are fun, gorgeous, or both.
www.americanapparel.net. 138 Newbury St. & 617/536-4768. T: Green Line to Arlington. 47 Brattle St.
& 617/661-2770. T: Red Line to Harvard.
Anne Fontaine This was the first U.S. outlet for the designer's “perfect white
blouse collection from Paris.” I wanted to laugh, but then I saw for myself—almost
every item is a perfect (for one reason or another) white blouse. Prices start at $80.
Closed Sunday. Heritage on the Garden, 318 Boylston St. (at Arlington St.) & 617/423-0366.
www.annefontaine.com. T: Green Line to Arlington.
Brooks Brothers Would-be “proper Bostonians” head here for blue blazers, gray
flannels, seersucker suits, and less conservative business and casual wear for men and
women. Brooks is the only place for exactly the right preppy shade of pink button-
down oxford shirts—something I've never seen at the outlet stores. 46 Newbury St.
& 617/267-2600. www.brooksbrothers.com. T: Green Line to Arlington. 75 State St. & 617/261-9990.
T: Orange or Blue Line to State.
Dress Think of the verb, not the noun. This airy boutique stocks women's fashion
(including dresses), jeans, shoes, and jewelry. Many pieces are the work of designers
whose creations aren't available elsewhere in Boston—always the goal on Newbury
Street. 221 Newbury St. & 617/424-7125. www.dressboston.com. T: Green Line to Copley.
Envi “Eco-conscious” doesn't have to mean “lumpy sweatshirt and shapeless jeans,”
and the stylish merchandise here proves it. Envi carries sweatshop-free, sustainably
manufactured women's clothing that's more comfortable than corporate—but never
dowdy. 164 Newbury St. & 617/267-3684. www.shopenvi.com. T: Green Line to Copley.
H&M The Swedish discount-fashion juggernaut is a terrific place to look for
cheap, stylish clothing and accessories. The Downtown Crossing store outfits women,
men, and kids; the Cambridge branch concentrates on fashions for women (including
underwear) and teens of both sexes. 350 Washington St. & 617/482-7001. www.hm.com. T: Red