Consider Boyds something of an alternate reality: inside the 45,000-square-foot space, there is no recession. The space is palatial, with opulent columns, mahogany floors and marble staircases. The offerings are extravagant, with three floors of fashion’s finest. And, of course, the price tags are staggering. Boyds prides itself on its long tradition of quality — the store has been Philadelphia’s curator of luxury for 70 years.
Boyds is probably best-known for its men’s offerings, and for good reason. It features both a floor of casual clothing and outerwear as well as a full floor of formal apparel and shoes. While helpful sales associates can be found at every turn, the men’s apparel employees possess an impressively encyclopedic knowledge of the store’s wares. Men’s brands include Brioni, Zegna and Etro, along with accessories from Tom Ford, Prada and Gucci. For the trust fund boys among us, Boyds also offers made-to-measure shirts, suits and formal wear. Get the most out of their expert tailors by taking advantage of their free alteration service.
The ground floor of Boyds is equally impressive — and expensive. Govberg Jewelers has taken over, with an extensive watch selection featuring brands like Cartier, Chopard and Rolex. Diamonds abound in the other jewelry cases. It’s certainly fun to look, but employees on this floor won’t take you seriously unless you’re with an elder… or a Black Card.
Boyds third floor women’s selection is, well, getting there. Recently renamed B3, the space feels like a wannabe 5F, Bergdorf Goodman’s legendary women’s contemporary floor. The addition of contemporary pieces from lines such as M Missoni and Alice + Olivia to staid collections from Escada and Armani helps lend the selection some relevance (and a bit of price consciousness).
The women’s shoe salon, however, is the floor’s best feature. Creations from Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Miu Miu and the like can turn a quick visit into an extended stay. If you’re looking for a cute downtown outfit, you might get lucky once in a blue moon, as B3 is best-suited to finding OCR getups.
Spending an afternoon at Boyds is truly an experience, whether you make a purchase or not. The customer service is exemplary and harkens back to a time before online shopping and pretentious boutiques. The steep prices make a shopping spree here nearly impossible, but the store is peppered with truly beautiful investment pieces that are worth the cost.
Boyds
1818 Chestnut Street
(215) 564-9000
The Goods: Zegna, Brioni, M Missoni, Manolo Blahnik
The Bottom Line: Treat it like a museum… or go with your parents.
