Let's be honest: Baltimore certainly is not known for being a fashion mecca. Needless to say, our neighboring cities often overshadow Baltimore in many regards, including shopping.
However, our eclectic city has many hidden gems, enough to convince Forbes to rank Baltimore as the third best city for shopping in America. It's easy to get stuck in the rut of perpetually frequenting the same shops and wearing the same brands. There is a certain amount of security in having a go-to brand that you know will fit well and look good.
But relying too much on any particular label will lead to a homogeneous, dull wardrobe. Stepping out of your comfort zone isn't always easy, and trying out new stores can be unfruitful, even frustrating, especially to not-so-enthusiastic shopper.
Yet being bold and trying on clothing that you wouldn't typically consider "your style" can lead to great new discoveries. Why not use the quest for new clothes and shops as a means to explore Baltimore?
Many Hopkins students limit their shopping adventures to the Towson Town Center or Inner Harbor. Sure, they are relatively easy to get to, and they both provide a variety of typical mall stores. Although I could happily live in Nordstrom, there's comes a time where we must branch out into other Baltimore neighborhoods.
During your next free weekend, grab a couple friends and head over to Harbor East. A relatively new development just south of Little Italy and west of Fells Point, Harbor East has a great, although small, stretch of boutiques along Aliceanna Street.
For all you in search of high-fashion options in Baltimore, look no further than Handbags in the City. The upscale boutique hosts a collection of pieces (not just handbags!) from some of the preeminent names in fashion, including Michael Kors, Tom Ford, Dior and Gucci. Their collection of Mulberry bags is truly incredible. You can find the boutique online at handbagsinthecity.com.
A bit further down the street you'll find Urban Chic, featuring collections from Vineyard Vines, 7 for all Mankind, Joe's Jeans and many others. Make sure to check out their great collection of denim. Don't forget to bring your JHU alumni discount card—you'll score 10 percent off any full-priced item. Visit them online at urbanchiconline.com.Adjacent to Urban Chic is South Moon Under, featuring designs from Marc Jacobs, Frye, G-Star, Ray-Ban and others. Check them out at southmoonunder.com.
Charming Mount Vernon is even easier to get to than Harbor East, and also offers many great shopping opportunities.
Right around the corner from Peabody on 521 North Charles Street in the heart of Mount Vernon is Paris West—one of the most impressive eyewear shops I've ever visited.
Voted "Best Optical Shop" in Baltimore, Paris West stocks the latest trends in sunglasses and prescription glasses, while also maintaining a huge inventory of classic designs.
Here you'll find designs from Chanel, Prada, Oliver Peoples, Persol, Versace and countless other fashion houses. Additionally, they have an impressive collection of unused vintage frames from as early as the 1940s. Check them out at pariswestoptical.com.
It's easier now than ever to fall into the trap of having a go-to brand of clothes. We, as college students, can be rather lazy, and sometimes placing an online order at J. Crew is an unavoidable necessity.
Certainly, every wardrobe has a place for pieces from run-of-the-mill mall stores. However, expanding your repertoire to include some selections from local boutiques will not only up your style, but will also give you a greater appreciation of Baltimore's strengthening fashion scene.
Stumble across a cool shop in Baltimore? Let me know! E-mail suggestions or general fashion questions to fashion@jhunewsletter.com and you may be featured in a future column!
