Cover photo courtesy of Just the Thing
Whether your summer dreams have you wrapped in a floral patio dress sipping a crisp white in front of Lula Drake on Main Street or geared up in surf-inspired swimwear and a hip cover-up with your feet dangling off the back of a boat on Lake Murray, Columbia SC boutiques are bursting with options to help you beat the heat while flaunting some serious Southern style. Here’s where to go for what:
M Boutique at Cross Hill Market offers an array of Wilt tees in a candy-coated variety of colors and styles and a generous selection of denim from Principle Denim and Joe’s Jeans. Also find a fun top or romper for a night on the town, and statement earrings (from leather to feathers!) and clutch bags to complete the look.
Just the Thing delivers with two boutiques on Devine Street. One storefront showcases a legion of dresses, whether you want to make an entrance with pop of color for a party or find an understated classic piece for wedding or big meeting. Coveted pieces from Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James line mix in with flirty styles from up-and-coming designers like Anna Victoria along with an assortment of sandals and wedges. A second storefront houses oodles of jewelry, including on-trend tassel earrings and bold necklaces.
It’s not summer in the South without a little Lilly Pulitzer, and you will be overwhelmed in the best way with shorts, dresses, tops and swimwear in all the watercolor hues at Pink Sorbet on Devine Street, a woman-owned and locally operated Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store. They have styles for kids, too, so you can outfit your mini-me with some collar-poppin’ prep as well. The Elsa silk top paired with white jeans? Yes, please.
Funky Five Points is a must-stop for several overstock and gently used clothing shops with brand names at affordable prices. Don’t miss Oops, Sid & Nancy, 2 G’s Clothing Company and Revente Consignment. While there, stop in Loose Lucy’s for the perfect ensemble for that upcoming outdoor concert or festival.
With three rivers and Lake Murray woven into most any Columbia SC weekend, stock up on swimwear at Salty’s Board Shop or Half Moon Outfitters on Devine Street. And at Mast General Store on Main Street we are loving the embroidered tunics from Andree by Unit to toss over a swimsuit.
While on Main Street, check out newcomer Sugar Belle for keep-you-cool asymmetrical hemlines and off-the-shoulder trends. There’s enough on Main Street to keep you for the day, and locals know that Granger Owings is a go-to for quality men’s and women’s brands and impeccable customer service. And just across the street, their Circa 1332 offers menswear with an updated slant.
We’re all about one-piece dressing in the summer, and Scout and Molly’s at Trenholm Plaza in Forest Acres offers a multitude of maxi dresses (the Tropez maxi by Show Me Your MuMu is a one-shoulder number with a fun palm print) for instant elegance in one swoop. Shoes optional. Fab’rik Columbia and Fab’rik Lexington also offer tunics and maxis in cheeky prints (Pineapples? Cacti?) from brands like Asher Collection.
Want to take home something locally made? A chic handbag made with love from Nana by Sally (at Soda City Market on Saturdays) or Carolina Clutches (keep an eye out for pop-up shops or shop online at carolinaclutches.com), a top by Columbia designer Annabelle LaRoque (at LaRoque) and locally made jewelry from Hidden Truth Jewelry (at Just the Thing), Jenna Burke Designs (at M Boutique) will have your friends back home asking just where you found such unique items.
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This list is far from complete, but visit ExperienceColumbiaSC.com for even more fun places to shop (and a list of places to see and be seen in your new finds) in Columbia SC. Or better yet, come see for yourself. We’ll save you a glass of Frosé as a post-shopping treat.
Cover photo courtesy of Just The Thing