Alexis + Bolt
From a revamped home in Germantown, Alexis + Bolt offers a fresh take on apparel, accessories, and home goods for guys and girls, alike. Owner Kate Sbarra merchandised each room of the Monroe Street space with a specific retail focus in mind: There's menswear up front, barware in the kitchen, a dedicated denim lounge, and women's apparel, shoes, and accessories in back. (The bathroom is stocked with men's grooming goods, too.)
In addition to brands like Rails, Naked & Famous, and DL1961, Sbarra also took care to incorporate the wares of local makers, like leather goods from Hunker Bag Co., reclaimed woodwork from 1767 Designs, and artwork by Brian Wooden and Lizzy Love.
'A lot of the couches, pillows, and wall art you see is for sale,” Sbarra adds. 'Even lighting and rugs I can order.”
What's more, the dog- and drink-friendly shop doubles as an event space. Keep an eye out for regular blogger brunches, brush lettering workshops, and yoga classes to come. 506 Monroe St, 615-578-8257; alexisandbolt.com
Dress Up
Since its inception in 2009, Georgia-based boutique Dress Up has been opening retail locations all over the Southeast, with its 16th outpost landing in Nashville's Hillsboro Village this winter.
The walkability, close-knit community, and proximity to local universities made Hillsboro Village an easy choice for Dress Up's first Nashville locale. The space is bright, light, and airy, with tall ceilings, spacious fitting rooms, and windows that span the length of the store.
Here, you'll find top-notch customer service paired with styles that are both affordable and on-trend. From denim, dresses, and tops to jewelry and shoes, no item is more than $48. When you find something you love, don't hesitate: Dress Up's inventory is ever-changing, with 65-plus new arrivals debuting on a weekly basis and only three of each size run readily in stock. 1704 21st Ave S, 615-739-5863; shopdressup.com
Parish
Parish offers upscale women's clothing and accessories from its corner spot in the Gulch's swanky new Thompson Nashville hotel. The third concept in celebrity stylist Claudia Robertson Fowler's trio of successful Nashville-area shops, Parish houses a more carefully curated selection than sister stores Haven in Franklin and Hero in 12 South.
'It's a much smaller space, so it's a little more individual,” Fowler shares. 'I'm trying to pick out really special, dramatic piecesnot so much collections, but interesting key pieces.”
Those pieces include one-of-a-kind jewelry, statement-making outerwear and footwear, and lingerie from lesser-known designers, like Fleur du Mal and Love Stories Intimates, plus gift-able items, like candles and coffee-table books. It's a romantic and eclectic mixperfect pick-me-ups for hotel guests and locals alike. 411 11th Ave S, 615-928-7770; parishnashville.com
Rural Route Bus
Longtime friends Leslie Belt and Janna Sullivan are hitting the road with the Rural Route Bus, spreading their shared love of fashion with small towns that lack specialty retail options across Kentucky and Tennessee.
'Janna and I both had an interest in starting a boutique together,” Belt explains, 'but we wanted something that could reach more rural communities.”
And, so, the idea for the Rural Route Bus took shape. Belt and Sullivan converted an old yellow school bus into their shabby chic mobile boutique, which they've stocked with clothing, jewelry, and season-specific accessories.
'It's a unique shopping experience with a little Southern flair,” Sullivan adds.
Want to see the Rural Route Bus in action? Stay up to speed on its whereabouts by following along on social media. facebook.com/theruralroutebus; instagram.com/theruralroutebus