I’ll be honest: shopping in Philadelphia can be a bit of a mixed bag. It’s not that we don’t have a lot of stores — we do, and at lots of price points! — but it used to be a struggle to find something a little more unique while sticking to a tight budget. I love Old Navy, LOFT and H&M as much as the next girl, but some variety is nice! And some of the more popular accessories-oriented stores tend be out in the suburbs. Luckily for us (and my fellow bargain hunters), a lou lou boutiques store opened up right in Center City earlier this year. It has changed my shopping game.

lou lou is a family-owned boutique chain based out of Virginia, and their whole aesthetic is fun, trendy, colorful and yes, affordable. Their main thing is accessories, from scarves and ponchos, to handbags and wallets, and of course, fashion jewelry. lou lou also carries several awesome independent brands, including Dogeared and Pura Vida Bracelets. Whether your style is more preppy or bohemian or somewhere in the middle like myself, you’ll be able to find something that calls to you. (I’m just waiting for an excuse to pick up some star studs. Star accessories are my favorite.)

And if you want to share the love, lou lou is also a great stop if you’re buying a gift for a girlfriend or mom (sorry for the belated Mother’s Day tip!). Not only is there something for everyone, but it’ll stand out a little more than something picked up at a bigger store. I don’t think I’ve found anything over $100, and most stuff is between $15 and $50 I would guess. The shop girls have also been really sweet and helpful during all of my visits.

There are also lots of cute tech accessories and housewear items, including candles, so it’s a great one-stop shop in an awesome neighborhood. They even have really awesome cards, which is one of my favorite categories of things to browse through (hint: greeting cards make great prints for a gallery wall too). Definitely worth a visit if  you’re in the neighborhood! (You can also see if there’s a location near you here.)

~ Sarah

Lou Lou Boutiques
143 S. 13th St.
(13th between Sansom and Walnut)

See other Philly Picks here.