The Beachcomber
Whoever said you can't please all the people all the time clearly hasn't been to the Beachcomber. Awesome views and beach access? Check. Long list of cocktails and heavy-pouring bartenders? Got 'em. Live music? Yup. As far as we can tell, the only thing missing is a cot in the corner — so we never have to leave. 1120 Cahoon Hollow Rd., Wellfleet, MA 2667, thebeachcomber.com.
Ana Hernandez Bridal Salon
Ana Hernandez understands women who dream about The Dress. Princess-worthy ball gowns, simple sheaths, lace pantsuits…her line of custom options has something to bewitch almost any bride. And she lets you be as much of a bridezilla as you please, adding sleeves if you want to keep your triceps under wraps, say, or swapping out fabrics if you decide, a few fittings in, that you really do look more fetching in ivory than white. 165 Newbury St., Boston, MA anahernandezbridal.com.
Dress
Blessed with great taste and strong buying instincts, co-owners Martha Hilfinger and Jane Schlueter have stocked their airy 900-square-foot Back Bay boutique with work-to-play separates and delicious dresses from modern favorites (3.1 Phillip Lim, Vena Cava, Vanessa Bruno) and exclusive up-and-comers (Lyell, Lofli denim). The shopping experience is a joy; if you've left your best friend at home, one of the chatty girls here will be happy to dish out reliable opinions on her behalf. 221 Newbury St., Boston, MA dressboston.com.
Middlesex Lounge
The vibe, the feel—that's what you're looking for when you're with friends and dressed for a Night Out. It's also what the Middlesex does best. The intimate space is minimalist sublimity, with low-slung lights casting shadows in exactly the right way. Music is spun by DJs who bump everything from French pop to roots reggae. The signature touch: the lounge's benches on wheels, which allow you and yours to create a personal alcove. 315 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA middlesexlounge.com.
Bloomingdales
The heart of the capacious first floor at the new multimillion-dollar Bloomingdale's in Chestnut Hill is its smartly laid-out, wholly welcoming cosmetics department. Hard-to-find brands include Clé de Peau and Trish McEvoy; personable, informed, and refreshingly nonpushy salespeople make for zero-pressure lingering; and real-world lighting means it's no shock when your $23 cobalt blue Dior mascara turns out to be very blue, indeed. The Mall at Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA 2467, bloomingdales.com.
Dorfman Jewelers
Yes, there's loads of ice on hand here, in the form of Patek Philippe timepieces and Henry Dunay necklaces, but the warm and patient service at Dorfman will thaw any notion that buying big-time bling is a daunting endeavor. In business for seven decades and counting, the family-owned jeweler caters to both Beacon Hill bluebloods and a younger, funkier clientele with diamonds and pearls aplenty, vintage-inspired house lines, and New England's only Van Cleef & Arpels salon. 24 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Alan Bilzerian
Though they're usually the last thing you put on, shoes make or break your outfit—and Alan Bilzerian does his best to make sure that you come out on the right side of that equation. He's got a healthy lineup of casual, never-juvenile footwear by Marséll and Corvari, but it's his world-class dress shoes that really take things up a notch: crocodile Alberto Fasciani laceups, Carpe Diem bucks with handcut laces, and Paul Hardin handpainted shoes with stitched toecaps. 1217 Centre St., Newton Centre, MA 2459, alanbilzerian.com.
Crossing Main
Once a land overrun with whale belts, Hingham is casting off its preppy past. Leading the charge is Crossing Main, a fashion-forward boutique that sells sophisticated clothes, shoes, jewelry, and handbags. On hand are frilly Tracy Reese dresses, bright hibiscus-print shifts by Milly, Tibi tunics, and quasi-bohemian dresses from Nanette Lepore. So if you're still putting off that wardrobe overhaul: Give your surplus Lilly Pulitzer to Goodwill and embrace the new soccer mom chic. 5 Main St., Hingham, MA 2043, .
International Bicycle Center
IBC mechanics are so thorough in teaching you to fix your bike, you may never need to go back to their Boston or Newton shops. But go back you will, if not for a new ride, then for parts, accessories, and clothing by brands such as Trek, Giordana, Nike, and Pearl Izumi. The store also organizes group rides along scenic city routes, plugging new pedalers into Boston's bike-loving community. 88 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 2134, internationalbike.com.
Bambini Design
If children are the future, surely their rooms shouldn't be stuck in the past. Shop Bambini for color-saturated contemporary furnishings and gadgets such as Kaloo stuffed animals and floor mats, Vibel modular play sets, must-have Bugaboo strollers, and Sozu lighting to illuminate your bright young things. Because it's never too early to learn to appreciate good taste. 82 Boylston St. (Rte. 9), Brookline, MA 2445, bellabambinidesign.com.
Café Society
When it comes to looking good, creativity is key. Learn to express yourself, piece together original outfits, and steer away from mass-marketed merchandise by heading to Café Society. The store's well-priced mix of vintage shoes, bags, hats, and jewelry—all in good condition—calls to mind your mother's closet, circa 1960. Embracing the old never felt so cool. 131 Cypress St., Brookline, MA .
Louis Boston
Louis's unparalleled offering of women's designs by fashion darlings including Marni, Tuleh, and Zac Posen—not to mention a formidable men's collection with everything from Brioni to Trovata—makes it a legendary local house of style. The revitalized first floor now includes more bath products, linens, and vintage home goods than ever, and the salespeople remain polite, not pushy. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA louisboston.com.
Dickson Brothers
The most popular institutions in Harvard Square have a way of disappearing (can you say Tasty Diner?) but Dickson Brothers is still hawking hardware after more than 75 years. The three-story warren is full of products ranging from pretty housewares to power tools. But the little touches are what make going to Dickson Brothers a treat—like the Good Humor fridge where you can scarf down a Klondike bar in the time it takes employees to cut your keys. 26 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA dicksonbros.com.
Oona's
Given fashion's current obsession with the past, the vintage store is at the forefront of style. Oona's, just outside Harvard Square, has us swooning over vintage leather jackets, dresses from the 1960s, and unique jewelry and bags. With reasonable prices, a large men's selection, and an ample inventory, Oona's has the vintage pieces you need to create a timeless style all your own. 1210 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA oonasboston.com.
The Closet
You'll need to work to unearth the gems at this tightly packed consignment store. But it's worth the effort. The Closet has racks of cashmere sweaters, leather jackets, Lilly Pulitzer pants, and Gucci blousons, along with an excellent selection of designer shoes from Chanel, Prada, and Stuart Weitzman. That, plus the substantial men's section and well-organized collection of quality handbags and belts, make the Closet an effective nexus between the previous owners' closet and your own. 175 Newbury St., Boston, MA blog.closetboston.com.