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If a ride on the Hy-Line is not in your future, this guide might have you hankering to make the trip across the Atlantic in your best Nantucket reds to visit the Grey Lady herself. This island, 30 miles south of the Cape, incites weekend visitors to explore the many boutiques in town, which all meld together and distinguish the rock of pristine beaches as a world-class seasonal shopping destination. Chains are shunned in the community, though permanent shops and pop-ups including Ralph Lauren, C. Wonder, and Lilly Pulitzer break the mold in serving the prepsters that subscribe to them as life philosophies. We conferred with some ACK insiders to bring you fifteen locally-loved reasons why you should take a break from boozing at Cisco Brewery to go shopping.
Serenella exports its posh Newbury Street vision to ACK for the summer, with best-selling labels including the classic Bottega Veneta, the new classic Altuzarra, editorial darling Aquazzura, French sandal line K. Jacques, and local swim designer Sinesia Karol. Throw in some Pucci for good measure.
Another ultra luxe contender is Gypsy, the decade-old brainchild of stylist Paola Gonfrade. People flock here for Balenciaga, Erdem, Isabel Marant, Rick Owens, Proenza...Wouldn't be weird to run into an off-duty fashion industry veteran here.
The crowd at Zero Main is a multi-generational bunch, which makes sense as the boutique has had a presence on the island for a quarter century. Plan a shopping date with mom for breezy shift dresses, eco-friendly fashion, and the fixings to accessorize a look.
Another Nantucket mainstay, The Lion's Paw has been doling out home goods for decades. The shop is markedly large and packed to the brim with fresh pieces fit for a shingled cottage: fine linens, hand painted furniture, and hand blown glassware. Always a treasure to uncover.
The monogram is king at Blue Beetle, where personalized jewelry, trays, frames, and signs mesh with select clothing items, scarves, Yosi Samara flats, and cashmere throws. A great spot for a souvenir, wedding gift, or little take-home from the island.
Dakota is a newbie among the seasoned retailers on the island, but its owner Laura Elkman is certainly not. Bringing experience from Crush Boutique, she opened the "beach chic" shop to stock Boston designers Michael De Paulo and Daniela Corte, as well as contemporary favorites like Vix, House of Harlow 1960, and Dolce Vita.
Part of a long-standing weaving tradition, Nantucket Looms makes luxury textiles ranging from mohair throws to upholstery fabrics. The woven goods are coupled with antique furniture and local art works.
The NRO conglomerate—consisting of the original NRO store, NRO Kids, and NRO Sport in Beacon Hill as well as Edgartown outposts—is bringing its retail operations to ACK. Clearly the edited selection of brands like Barbour, Milly, Sperry, and Vilbrequin will do fabulously here.
Vine-covered Milly & Grace is feminine and frilly, described to us as a "mini Anthropologie" with its combination of home goods and clothing from brands like Ella Moss, Parker, BB Dakota and Jack BB Dakota. You'll also find gift-ready buys like scented goods from Barr Co.
Jewelry designer Jessica Hicks moved to Nantucket after college and hasn't left. She's been sold at local stores like Vis-a-vis, but recently branded her own boutique to sell a wide variety of jewelry made right on the island.
This elegant shop has heritage-inspired decor, with vintage bric-a-brac scattered around and hardwood floors. Nanette Lepore, Linea Pelle, Tracy Reese, and Trina Turk are big sellers here as well as a bazaar of jewelry from designers including Jeanine Payer, Jamie Joseph, and island native Hannah Blount.
A trip to Nantucket should never be just cocktail hours and beach bronzing—make sure you get the outdoor gear you need for hiking, surfing, and boating from brands like Patagonia, The North Face, and Toms. Everyday wears like fancy handmade knitwear from local designer Isobel and Cleo.
Vis-a-Vis is packed tight with everything from F-Troupe jellies and Jeffrey Campbell shoes to Kai beauty products and Equipment blouses. A wide selection of glittery costume jewelry tops it all off.
The Lovely is a welcome addition to the Nantucket shopping scene, with trendy wears that won't totally break the bank. Think printed minidresses, lightweight knits, beaded accessories and more, all set against a cool mauve and white decor scheme.
Since 1945, Murray's has been dressing entire families in official Nantucket Red's. The family-run business has its own private line of sportswear mixed with Smathers & Branson embroidered belts and hats, Castaway madras shorts, and so many marine-detailed items.
Serenella exports its posh Newbury Street vision to ACK for the summer, with best-selling labels including the classic Bottega Veneta, the new classic Altuzarra, editorial darling Aquazzura, French sandal line K. Jacques, and local swim designer Sinesia Karol. Throw in some Pucci for good measure.
Another ultra luxe contender is Gypsy, the decade-old brainchild of stylist Paola Gonfrade. People flock here for Balenciaga, Erdem, Isabel Marant, Rick Owens, Proenza...Wouldn't be weird to run into an off-duty fashion industry veteran here.
The crowd at Zero Main is a multi-generational bunch, which makes sense as the boutique has had a presence on the island for a quarter century. Plan a shopping date with mom for breezy shift dresses, eco-friendly fashion, and the fixings to accessorize a look.
Another Nantucket mainstay, The Lion's Paw has been doling out home goods for decades. The shop is markedly large and packed to the brim with fresh pieces fit for a shingled cottage: fine linens, hand painted furniture, and hand blown glassware. Always a treasure to uncover.
The monogram is king at Blue Beetle, where personalized jewelry, trays, frames, and signs mesh with select clothing items, scarves, Yosi Samara flats, and cashmere throws. A great spot for a souvenir, wedding gift, or little take-home from the island.
Dakota is a newbie among the seasoned retailers on the island, but its owner Laura Elkman is certainly not. Bringing experience from Crush Boutique, she opened the "beach chic" shop to stock Boston designers Michael De Paulo and Daniela Corte, as well as contemporary favorites like Vix, House of Harlow 1960, and Dolce Vita.
Part of a long-standing weaving tradition, Nantucket Looms makes luxury textiles ranging from mohair throws to upholstery fabrics. The woven goods are coupled with antique furniture and local art works.
The NRO conglomerate—consisting of the original NRO store, NRO Kids, and NRO Sport in Beacon Hill as well as Edgartown outposts—is bringing its retail operations to ACK. Clearly the edited selection of brands like Barbour, Milly, Sperry, and Vilbrequin will do fabulously here.
Vine-covered Milly & Grace is feminine and frilly, described to us as a "mini Anthropologie" with its combination of home goods and clothing from brands like Ella Moss, Parker, BB Dakota and Jack BB Dakota. You'll also find gift-ready buys like scented goods from Barr Co.
Jewelry designer Jessica Hicks moved to Nantucket after college and hasn't left. She's been sold at local stores like Vis-a-vis, but recently branded her own boutique to sell a wide variety of jewelry made right on the island.
This elegant shop has heritage-inspired decor, with vintage bric-a-brac scattered around and hardwood floors. Nanette Lepore, Linea Pelle, Tracy Reese, and Trina Turk are big sellers here as well as a bazaar of jewelry from designers including Jeanine Payer, Jamie Joseph, and island native Hannah Blount.
A trip to Nantucket should never be just cocktail hours and beach bronzing—make sure you get the outdoor gear you need for hiking, surfing, and boating from brands like Patagonia, The North Face, and Toms. Everyday wears like fancy handmade knitwear from local designer Isobel and Cleo.
Vis-a-Vis is packed tight with everything from F-Troupe jellies and Jeffrey Campbell shoes to Kai beauty products and Equipment blouses. A wide selection of glittery costume jewelry tops it all off.
The Lovely is a welcome addition to the Nantucket shopping scene, with trendy wears that won't totally break the bank. Think printed minidresses, lightweight knits, beaded accessories and more, all set against a cool mauve and white decor scheme.
Since 1945, Murray's has been dressing entire families in official Nantucket Red's. The family-run business has its own private line of sportswear mixed with Smathers & Branson embroidered belts and hats, Castaway madras shorts, and so many marine-detailed items.
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