POSTED: Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 3:00 PM
Neighborhood Watch looks for Philly's most fashionable. This week: Kala roamed one of Philly's chicest neighborhoods to talk to a few girls who work and shop there.
Rittenhouse Square is known for its shopping. From nationwide chain stores to cozy boutiques and vintage shops, any fashionable Philadelphian is guaranteed to be tempted to blow next month's rent on clothing, shoes, and accessories. One such patron,
Hannah Elliott (21, above) studies at the Art Institute of Philadelphia and works at
Arden B. but she says her favorite stores have to fall more within her price range.
"
H&M and
Forever 21 really have my heart," she says. "They fit my budget." So many Philly shoppers tend to frequent those two stores in particular, which seem to carry pieces that translate seamlessly into anyone's style. Elliott's pants and tee are from Forever 21 and her jacket and bag are from H&M. Her black leather ankle boots are from
Aldo, and her oversized gold earrings are from
The Hair Store. She also enjoys British retail chain,
Topshop.
Elliott, who is a fashion student and hopes to work for the offbeat pop culture and fashion magazine
Nylon, says that layers are "on trend" this winter, but she finds her own personal style is best reflected in spring and summer, when she can wear her favorite cutoff jeans and graphic tees in bright colors.
Alexandra Fishoff (21, left) and
Dana Pershyn (29, right) both work and shop at Rittenhouse's
Arcadia Boutique.
Hailing from West Philly, Fishoff covets some of the unique designers the boutique features. One of her style rules is that she has to be comfy, and says that her long, hooded
Prairie Underground coat fits the bill. Her brown leather boots with brass buttons are from
Steve Madden, and her red chain link bag is from Arcadia.
"They make really feminine stuff," she says. "They make great hoodies and use organic cotton." She also shops at nearby
Anthropologie and
Vagabond Boutique, and shared her knowledge of the
Feral Childe fashion at Arcadia, which features hand-painted designs and intricate pleats on many of its dresses. She mentioned that Arcadia's Northern Liberties location often features local artist showcases. "You would see some characters there," she says.
Northern Liberties' Pershyn says she's "not really a shopper," but her put-together and quirky look would indicate otherwise. Her two most standout pieces, her tie-dyed (ish) graphic-print blouse and huge amethyst ring, are both from Arcadia, and her jeans are simple
Levi's. She says she bought her black leather and wooden-heel wedges at a shop in Las Vegas, and her necklace at a vintage flea market. Her favorite Arcadia lines are
Lauren Moffatt and
Melissa shoes. As far as online shopping, she loves
Singer22.com and
Shopbop.com. "It's like Mecca for shopping," she says of the latter. Good to know...
