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.
Blades Board and Skate
Tired of being left in the dust on the Esplanade? Replace your outdated ski-boots-on-wheels with a pair of the newest in light, breathable, vibration-damping models. Whether you're going for speed or fun, entry-level or advanced, Blades's knowledgeable staff will guide you to the perfect pair. And though you may shun safety gear, the folks at Blades don't, with their large selection of helmets, pads, and other accessories. You can always compensate with hip, urban skating ensembles, also in ample supply here. 349A Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Q Optical
Finally, a designer frame shop that knows the meaning of the word "designer." Wares blend form and function, from cunning little rimless specs to out-and-out statement shades by the likes of Oliver Peoples, OGI, and Armani in a variety of colors. The personable staff will walk you through the pros and cons of current trends until you feel comfortable finding the right fit for your face. 287 Newbury St., Boston, MA qoptical.com.
Bonpoint
When the nanny complains that little Madison has outgrown her pinafores, get yourself (or send your personal assistant) to Bonpoint. The French clothier's exclusive pastel sweaters, jumpers, pants, and dresses are acclaimed by fashion editors and parents alike for their high quality and adorable designs. This cuteness costs, though—upwards of $100 for simple overalls, $230 for silk dresses, and $280 for cashmere baby one-pieces. Baby Gap, it isn't. 18 Arlington St., Boston, MA bonpoint.com.
Royal Jewelers
Chances are the jewelry you saw on the pages of a national fashion magazine is under the glass at Royals. Penny Preville, Kisselstein-Cord, SeidenGang, Doris Panos, TechnoMarine, and Philippe Chariol are just some of the designers represented at this family-run business, which has catered to the North Shore area for 50 years. Look for a store face-lift this fall that will add an in-house David Yurman boutique. 58 Main Street, Andover, MA royaljewelers.com.
Isis Parenting
Yes, we know the cultlike following can be a turnoff. But no other store has a more-comprehensive selection of products or better-educated employees, eager to help locate the ideal solution for your particular nursing/sleeping/strolling/fill-in-the-blank dilemma. Even if you don't enroll in one of the informative prenatal classes or organized playgroups, you'll still walk out feeling like an empowered mom or dad. Prudential Center, Boston, MA isisparenting.com.
Uniform
A small but well-thought-out selection of hats, bags, bathing suits, shirts, and pants from brands both familiar (Levi's) and niche (the U.K.-bred collection Brixton) means that even if you don't know your way around a dressing room, you'll walk out of here looking like you do. 511 Tremont St., Boston, MA uniformboston.com.
Audio Concepts
Put down the Consumer Reports and delete the electronics in your Amazon cart. No one's going to be impressed by the shoddy home-theater system you're trying to jury-rig. Instead, go to the Audio Concepts near BU, a playground for audio- and cinephiles alike. The top-notch systems here are custom-designed to fit each home—and, mercifully, don't resemble the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. 870 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, audioconcepts.com.
Lush
Here's where you'll find the perfect impromptu pick-me-up between spa visits. All of Lush's products are handmade with earth-friendly ingredients—think: organic bananas, avocados, and ground almonds—so you can fully relax in a Bath Bomb'd tub, knowing that you're doing your body and the environment good. 166 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, lush.com.
Ferris Wheels
Roll your bike into a fix-it shop with a flat, and within seconds, some sneering mechanic is bound to make you feel hopelessly stupid. Fortunately, there are no snobby gearheads at Ferris Wheels, just honest staffers with a genuine love for bicycles. Though the J.P. fixture may not have the largest selection of wheels around, it stocks everything a city rider needs: lights, messenger bags, helmets, and tools. And if you ask nicely, they might even teach you to fix that flat yourself. 66 South St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, ferriswheelsbikeshop.com.
Neiman Marcus
The biggest names in the perfume biz (Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel) are fully represented on these gleaming counters, as are scores of cult lines (Creed, Jo Malone). But the fun of buying here is chatting with the helpful salespeople, who will happily point you toward the first lady's favorite bottle or come up with a scent even your perfume-averse S.O. will find irresistible. Copley Place, Natick Collection, Boston, Natick, MA 02116, 01760, neimanmarcus.com.
Landry & Arcari
What kind of broadloom carpeting does Jerry Arcari carry? "I know what everyone else has," he says, "and that's what I ;don't have." Indeed, his showroom is piled high with selections like jute-backed wool, flat-weave alpaca, even a carpet made of wood pulp. Some of it's from Germany, some comes from as close as Fall River. And all of it's worlds apart from your typical wall-to-wall. 333 Stuart St., Boston, MA 2116, landryandarcari.com.
Magic Beans
When it comes to guiding you through the bewildering array of diaper bags, baby carriers, and car seats out there, none of the other tot emporiums in town compares to Magic Beans. Exhibit A: the store's carriage questionnaire, which gets reviewed by one of Magic Beans' "stroller experts." From there, they can help you match the correct model to your needs—and for anxious new parents, that kind of coddling is always welcome. 312 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2446, mbeans.com.
Nordstrom
Now with four locations in Greater Boston—Natick, Burlington, Peabody, and a new outpost in Braintree—Nordstrom has the area's most exhaustive supply of dress shoes, boots, sneakers, and sandals. If this sounds overwhelming, know that staffers here are adept at recognizing the clueless shopper. These special agents can solve nearly any footwear dilemma and help you navigate brand names like Converse, John Varvatos, Ferragamo, and Santoni. 290 Speen St., Natick, MA 1760, nordstrom.com.