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Boston's Best Local Boutiques For Back To School Clothes Shopping

It might seem like summer is just getting started but the time to start back-to-school shopping is fast approaching. We're not talking about pencils and book bags, though. Ask most students and they'll tell you that back-to-school shopping is more about what they'll wear than what they'll use. If you're looking for local stores to create a unique look, check out some of these shops.
Lipstick
(Photo from Facebook)

Lipstick
293 Newbury St
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 267-6900
www.facebook.com/Lipstickbos

If your taste runs towards the girly and trendy, you'll find a lot to love at Lipstick. While the store carries a decent selection of clothing, what it has really become known for is its awesome selection of dresses. Another great plus at Lipstick? The accessories. It is the perfect place to grab a trendy little dress, a belt to wear it with and a little cardigan to toss over the whole thing when the weather starts to turn cooler. Even better? You'll get all three pieces for a great price.

Related: Boston's Best Places for Discounted Designer Purses

LIT Boutique
(Photo from LIT Boutique)

LIT Boutique
236 Hanover St.
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 421-8637
www.litboutique.com

LIT Boutique is one of Boston's hidden gems. The shop carries everything from sweaters to summer dresses. It offers a great mix of well-known designer labels to smaller indie designers to local names. Unlike many boutiques, you'll find the prices at LIT are much easier on your budget. And if you are somewhat shopping inept, the very friendly staff can easily help you put together some great outfits that are on trend but still very much your unique style.

Motley
(Photo Credit: Motley)

Motley
623 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 247-6969
www.shopmotley.com

Guys and girls will find back-to-school shopping to be a breeze at Motley. The store carries an awesome selection of t-shirts and hoodies for both sexes. In fact, the only down side to shopping at Motley is its awesomeness. Go in for one t-shirt for the first day of school and, more than likely, you'll walk out with five and also a second bag filled with eccentric little oddball items you've never seen before but just had to have once you saw them sitting on the Motley shelves.

Related: Boston's Best Shopping Malls

Crush Boutique
(Photo credit: Crush Boutique)

Crush Boutique
131 Charles St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 720-0010
www.shopcrushboutique.com

Crush Boutique might hit your wallet a little harder than some of the other stores on your list but, as the saying goes, sometimes you get what you pay for. The selection at Crush is totally unique. If you're looking to make your mark as a style maven, with a closet full of clothes no one else at school can duplicate, you must head directly to Crush Boutique. On top of its great selection, you'll also find the quality to be top notch.

AWOL
(Photo credit: AWOL)

AWOL
190 Harvard Ave.
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 787-0600
www.awolboston.com

If you're looking for something a little edgy with an urban touch, head over to AWOL. Its inventory runs from well-known brand names to emerging designers you just can't find anywhere else in Boston. The shop carries clothing for men and women but it is really known for its selection of guys clothing. AWOL has a full sneaker boutique and also carries accessories for guys and girls.

Renee Mallett is the author of several books about art, culture, and New England. She was the owner and director of an art gallery and has written about arts and entertainment on a national level for several print and online journals. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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