Dallas is a city brimming with stylish and trendsetting people, and thankfully, there is an array of stores to satisfy any fashion need.
Most know they can shop at NorthPark Center, but what about changing your shopping routine?
Instead of bolting to NorthPark the moment you hear about an upcoming formal, visit stores a little unknown or underrated.
After three years at SMU, I have learned the places where you can get a deal and the most unique pieces to fill your wardrobe.
Lion & Witch
Lion & Witch is a boutique on Oak Lawn Avenue 10 minutes from SMU’s campus. The store carries a unique combination of inexpensive and designer lines like Finders Keepers, Cameo and Style Stalker.
The women’s boutique was recognized as 2016’s Best Women’s Affordable Clothing Store by D Magazine.
According to its website, Lion & Witch opened on July 1, 2015 to “provide an additional shopping avenue for innovative fashionistas in Dallas.”
Twenty year olds all the way to women in their mid 60’s shop at Lion & Witch.
Demi Robertson, Lion & Witch sales associate, said, “The boutique sells distinctive, edgy and trendy clothing and embraces individuality and personality.” She said one of the boutique’s greatest attributes is its affordability and accessibility to all ages. Shoppers can get a dress there for $67.
Brittany York, founder and buyer of Lion and Witch, said on Lion & Witch’s website that she wants a woman’s experience at her boutique to be more than just an errand.
To Be Continued
To Be Continued offers highly curated consigned pieces from top designers like Hermes, Chanel and Celine. Contemporary brands are also sold at the boutique like Equipment, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Elizabeth and James.
The consignment boutique first opened in Scottsdale, Ariz. in 2014 and then expanded to Dallas in November of 2015.
TBC sells “highly coveted” pieces from women’s closets all over the world including Paris, London and New York City, according to its website.
TBC as well as other consignment boutiques provides a more budget friendly way to invest in designer pieces.You can purchase an Hermes scarf for $175 and a pair of Aquazzura pumps for $425.
Milk & Honey
Milk & Honey boutique is located on Henderson Avenue just 12 minutes from SMU’s campus.
The founder and buyer of Lion & Witch, Brittany York, is also the founder and buyer of Milk & Honey. York purchases trendy pieces for the shop, and most are under $100.
The boutique posts new arrivals almost everyday on Instagram. It has a well-stocked saleroom with pieces at great deals year-round.
D Magazine awarded the boutique Best Shop for Affordable Women’s Clothing of 2015, a year before its sister store was awarded.
Saks Off 5th
We’ve all heard of Saks Fifth Avenue and its infamous designer pieces, but have you given much thought to their outlet store at the Shops of Park Lane?
The department store carries brands like Rag and Bone, Vince, Free People but also designers like Valentino, Chloe, and Balenciaga. Shoppers can find unique pieces from previous seasons as well as pieces specifically designed for the outlet.
Outlet stores can often be overwhelming and disorganized, but the staff at Saks maintains a well-organized store easy to navigate. Both the shoes and clothing departments are constantly updated.
Bandier
Plenty of SMU students shop at Lululemon, which means many girls own the same workout pieces. Bandier, a new athleisure and exercise clothing store, opened in Highland Park Village in November of 2015.
This is the first Bandier location outside of New York State. Courtney Luth, Bandier sales associate, said, “Jennifer Bandier, owner of Bandier, noticed the fashion scene taking off in Dallas, and once she visited the retail space in Highland Park Village, she fell in love.”
Bandier offers clothing at a variety of price points. They sell bras starting at $30, leggings for $60 and coats that cost $600. Women from 20 to 60 can wear Bandier’s clothing.
The store carries brands like Adidas by Stella McCartney, APL, Beyond Yoga, P.E. Nation, Sundry, Private Party, and Vie Active. Each piece is unique with intricate detail throughout. The boutique carries 45 brands curated just for the store from all over the world, said Luth.
The different colors, patterns and textures draw customers into the store, said Luth, not to mention the lifestyle that their store supports. Bandier gets new inventory in all the time, and they offer free classes and events in and outside their store.
Bandier is a short five-minute drive from campus, closer than any Dallas area Lululemon.
The athleisure trend will continue if SMU students have anything to do with it. It’s a school uniform for many.