Most of you reading this probably don't care about Boston. (I know I didn't before moving here.) But, in the short time I've lived here, I've fallen in love with it's old-world charm and modern sensibilities. Seriously. So, when I recently read that it was rated GQ magazine's "Worst-Dressed City in America," Diet Coke went flying out my nostrils. Sure, you've got crazed college students running around in Uggs and sweatpants. But that's what happens when casual sex and keg parties take priority over organic chemistry homework. Believe it or not, Boston has a ton of style to offer, and it doesn't just come from amazing suspended bridges and underground freeways. (#teamBigDig) There is a wealth of fashion to be found, and in large doses to boot. (And according to this CBS article, Boston is America's trendiest new city. Woot!)
Here are just a select handful of the fashionable things Boston has to offer:
Image: http://blog.styleboston.tv
1. Fashion's Night Out, Boston: A night of extended shopping, when thousands of retailers stay open late to woo customers with music, food, parties, sales and VIP events. Started by Vogue in 2009, this multi-city event gets people pulling out the plastic. But more than just economic stimulation for local communities, it's a perfect excuse for getting dolled up and going on a mad dash with fashionable friends.
2. Boston Fashion Week: Founded in 1995, this collaboration of the city's most skilled and talented local designers, entrepreneurs, students and artists brings the city of Boston a series of fashion shows, classes, films, panel discussions, parties and more. This annual celebration of Boston style featuring a great wealth of local talent, is unique in that it is designed to engage the community directly, at the grassroots level -- cultivating fashion as an integral part of the Boston lifestyle.
3. Fashionable Reads: In addition to local talent on the fashion front, Boston is home to some stylish reads including Boston Common Magazine, Scene Boston, Style Boston, Stylephile @ The Boston Globe, The Bostonista @ Boston Magazine, and In the Bag @ Improper Bostonian.
4. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: The MFA's textiles collection was started when Boston was the center of the US textile industry, currently boasting ownership of more than 27,000 objects ranging from American needlepoint to haute couture fashions. They're also home to The Fashion Council, a unique group for MFA members interested in the latest in Paris couture, New York style, and London counter-culture, as well as the cultural and historical factors that influence them.
5. Designer Education: Not only is Beantown home to several of the countries top academic institutions (viva la Harvard and MIT!) it's also home to leading fashion design schools including The New England Institute of Art, The School of Fashion Design, and Massachusetts College of Art & Design. Carry on!
6. Fashionable Natives: Boston is home to some of fashion's best kept secrets including Marilyn Riseman (grand duchess of Boston’s haute couture scene), Priscilla of Boston, Louis Boston, and Omaskas Designs by Sheela Mehrotra. It's also home to my favorite (and still the best!) fashion private sale site, Ruelala.com.
7. Newbury Street: Eight blocks filled with salons, boutiques, and fabulous dining, Boston's Newbury Street has something for everyone. Touted as one the most expensive streets in the world, it's high-end stores include Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Armani, Nanette Lepore, Ted Baker, Ben Sherman, Donna Karan, Burberry, Cartier, Loro Piana, Kate Spade, Bang & Olufsen, Valentino, Marc Jacobs and Ermenegildo Zegna.
8. Fashion-loving bloggers: There are seriously too many to list, but here are the Twitter accounts of some of my faves. (Be sure to follow them!) @punkystyle @goodgrlgoneblog @savvybostonian @lingermagazine @thetrendydwarf @kaitkylejohn @bostonshopdrop @jetcomx @lmmshops @michellemima @goodygumdrops @rabbitholerhi @beyondboschic @thebostonista @styleboston @TheBostonBazaar @mpchouchou @agirlinboston @craveboston @_najeema @BosFashionista @laviejaime @Katy_rose1 @missneira @StyleNNaina @stylishyear @TangerineHearts @TripleMaxTons @WellAppCatwalk @wileywears @SandraVee01 @Mellie102 @wishfulnals @shannonkmurphy @NewBrahmin @jenloveskev @bostoncommag
Have any additions you'd like me to add? Email me at jill [at] trenddelacreme [dot] com!
