Isn’t it nice when you want to do some shopping in a new city and instead of spending days trying to find places that fit your vibe you can pull up a list curated from a trusted expert. I do! My time is important. Shopping guides are the best!! So I asked my friend Whitley Adkins Hamlin, who is one of the most in-demand wardrobe stylists and personal shoppers here in Charlotte, to help me compile a list of must-shop storefronts. Whitley has amassed experience in editorial and television styling as well as brand collaborations. So the boutiques on this list were chosen not only for their gorgeous, unique product assortments but also the actual shopping experience that she’s had. We also included a list of lunch & dinner spots in case you get famished from shopping.
Please keep in mind that some of the boutiques’ websites listed below may not be as put-together as their brick-and-mortar locations and probably won’t list their total product offerings. I linked their websites so you can quickly find their addresses to plot out your shopping strategy.
Whitley Adkins Hamlin
Whitley and I brainstorming to make sure your shopping list is ON POINT!
Charlotte Shopping Guide Curated by Whitley Adkins Hamlin (peppered with a couple of my favorite places)
For Women
Capitol (Think Isabel Marant, Acne, Christopher Kane, Jason Wu). Just visiting this space is an experience. It features a 750 sq foot courtyard with vegetal wall by famed French botanist Patrick Blanc.
Summer Bird (for couture consignment)
ChezElle (Top pick for accessories. Think fun and casual like Finders Keepers, Ripley Rader, The Odells)
JT Posh (for on trend consignment)
Denim House (for edgy street style and everyday wearable pieces)
Sloan (Whitley’s other top pick for accessories. Huge shoe selection.)
Poole Shop (Offers a variety of unique and socially responsible designers. Located above Capitol.)
Coral (Chelsea’s pick. Think Rachel Comey, Marissa Webb, House of Holland)
Belk Southpark (Free People Section)
Scout & Molly’s (For cool, unique jewelry like designer Kathleen Murphy)
Cusp (upstairs at Neiman Marcus)
KK Bloom (Think BB Dakota, Wildfox Couture, Greylin)
Capitol Boutique
Denim House
Coral Boutique
Poole Shop
For Men
Taylor, Richards & Conger (A gentlemen’s store with a European edge.)
Abbeydale (Sophisticated, custom suiting. Think modernism with a dash of nostalgia. Great website too.)
Tabor (New, on-trend. Shown in 1st photo.)
The Sporting Gent (A gentleman’s clothier and outfitter displaying a great selection of outdoor and casual brands).
SILVERFLY (Think Vince, Scotch & Soda, Ben Sherman)
Revolve (Upscale men’s consignment)
Fairclough & Co. (The epitome of “Southern Gentleman”)
Gifts/Specialty Items
John Dabbs, LTD (For the quintessential southern elegant gift)
Paper Skyscraper (Chelsea’s pick: prepare to spend hours perusing a fantastic assortment of books, cards, candles and tasteful, Charlotte themed art)
The Boulevard at South End (Accessories and really unique gift ideas from local artisans. Love their hand-poured candles, home decor and jewelry)
Reid’s Fine Foods (a beautiful selection of gourmet finds for gifting)
Black Hawk Hardware (this is like a neighborhood hardware store with style! You can find anything here. Fun shopping experience).
Slate Interiors (daily-changing collection of original art, furniture and lighting)
Earl’s Grocery (local gourmet)
Bridal
Ladies of Lineage
And when you get hungry…
Lunch and Dinner Spots
The King’s Kitchen (Chelsea’s Pick)
Luna’s Living Kitchen (raw, vegan)
300 East (Chelsea’s Pick)
I thought this guide would be a nice addition to the #DesignCharlotte campaign created by Marriott to highlight all of the amazing things Charlotte, NC has to offer (I am collaborating on this project with them). To learn more about it and for a chance to win a trip anywhere in the country, click here for details. When shopping, make sure to photo your finds for Instagram and use hashtag #DesignCharlotte. Are there any boutiques I need to add to the list? Let me know. xx Chelsea
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of #DesignCharlotte. The opinions and text are all mine.
I love walking down East Blvd, exploring the shops and city living feel. Vestique is my favorite clothing boutique in East. Trendy clothing at a little more affordable price. I have to pay a visit to Pour Olive next door. Great olive oils and vinagers that I live off of! Makes my dinners taste like I know what I’m doing. Mayobird across the street is one of my favorite lunch spots. All kinds of fresh chicken salads, some with no mayo! Try on a salad or croissant, maybe pressed with some melted cheese!
I also love shopping at Cheeky Bean boutique. I read on line that it’s all USA made, and the girls working there were the most helpful at helping me find the perfect dress for a wedding. Along with their great style, they had a great sale, and I walked out with three dresses! I have a hard time finding flattering dresses, and they made it easy and fun. When I was there last it was in South Park near “Another Broken Egg Cafe,” but it looks like it is now located in Balyntyne. Charlotte is a great city to explore! Happy shopping and eating!
Jackie these are fantastic suggestions. I’ve never heard of Cheeky Bean so I will for sure visit next time I’m near East Blvd. Thanks so much. CC
I work in Uptown and enjoy grabbing lunch at Dandelion Market and then shopping at Ivy and Leo in Founders Hall. Both places are conveniently located in the center of Uptown. Dandelion market makes great homemade tomato soup and accepts reservations, which is a must during the busy work week.
Kristi I love these suggestions and I’m for sure going to have to give Dandelion Market a try! Thanks. CC
Great blog!!! I love Cotswold market place for beautiful decoration inspiration and gifts, the mint musume gift shop uptown actually has some gorgeous unique gifts too if you work up town and need something quick and I love scout and Molly’s! It is is my go to for boho chic!
Thanks so much Kathleen. Love these suggestions. I think your jewelry is so so incredible. C
These are all such great suggestions! I agree with the dandelion market… It’s one of my favorite places to eat uptown. I love The Boulevard at South End as well as Paper Sky Scraper on East Blvd for gifts. I really like Julie’s and Ivy and Leo for clothes.
Hi Dana. Thanks. I will need to check out Julie’s and Ivy and Leo! CC
I love Ivy & Leo in South Park – I’ll have to check out the one uptown! I consider the clothes to be “Lillyesque” without the high cost. But nothing screams The South more than a monogram!! The best place for such cute things such as wine glasses, stationary, baby gifts, bags and more, is in Ballantyne at Mud Pie (Blakney). Sure other stores do it but you will not get the service, conversation or consult anywhere else. Afterwards you can jump next door to Zoe’s Kitchen for a Spinach roll up with chicken (the absolute best). There is a Zoe’s Kitchen uptown in the Metropolitan and in South Park as well. And I’d like to endorse the ACE hardware store at Park Road Shopping Center. Park Road Books is a book store a few doors down and is the best in Charlotte. It is “the shop around the corner” and brings a small town feel to this fabulous city! You really cannot go wrong with any of the places listed above – I could go on for days about all the great local stores in Charlotte.
Gigi! I love these suggestions. I need to go shopping with you:)! You are the second person to mention Ivy & Leo so I will for sure need to check this out. Thanks!
P.S. The ACE hardware store at Park Road shopping center is Black Hawk Hardware. A definite must-see especially during the holidays! Plus, complimentary popcorn upon entering:)
I’m sold on the complimentary popcorn:)
I lived uptown for 10 years and it just keeps getting better! Love that there’s always a new restaurant, shop etc. to try out!
I love Coral! So fun for home decor and unique gifts, same with Paper Skyskraper…such a fun place to shop! I also LOVE Petal! The prices are reasonableans they always have a unique selection of clothes to choose from!
Jill…Petal is SUCH a good suggestion. Thanks for this. Cc