chapel hill shopping guide

Fleur

We could not give a bigger thumbs-up to the smart mix of lines—Mayle, M Missoni, Robert Rodriguez, Tocca—at this chic shop owned by high school friends Eliza Stoecker and Christina Cerwin.
In Meadowmont Village, 702 Meadowmont Village Cir., 919-933-3026, fleur-boutique.com for more information

Products: Denim, Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags
Type of Store: Boutique

Monkee's

There's no shortage of dainty shoes with details like bows, kitten heels, and buckles at this ladylike North Carolina footwear chainlet.
In Meadowmont Village, 108 Meadowmont Village Cir., 919-967-6830

Products: Shoes
Type of Store: Boutique

Moshi Moshi

An unusual hybrid of hair salon and Japanese tchotchke shop, this spot has wonderfully idiosyncratic items like hedgehog-print makeup bags and lychee-scented lipsticks.
416 W. Franklin St., 919-933-1272

Products: Jewelry, bEAUTYbr />Type of Store: Boutique

Nested

Located in an old five-and-dime, this crafty store is one of those places you'll remember long after you leave. It's full of affordable, functional one-offs by artists, like collaged passport covers and handpainted decks of cards.
118B E. Main St., 919-338-8023, nestedhome.com for more information

Products: Furniture, Linens, Tabletop, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

Roulette

As with Time After Time, we were pleasantly surprised by this second-floor vintage spot. It's less picked-over, and especially good for tastefully glam '50s and '60s pieces.
108 E. Main St., Ste. 6, 919-933-8836, roulettevintage.com for more information

Products: Denim, Women's Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Bags, Jewelry, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

Scout — Molly's

The ability to constantly surprise is what makes this colorful, antique-decorated boutique so great: Half the stock is feminine and pretty, while the other 50 percent has a citified edge.
In Meadowmont Village, 105 Meadowmont Village Cir., 919-969-8886, scoutandmollys.com for more information

Products: Denim, Women's Clothing, Vintage, Bags
Type of Store: Boutique

Shoes at the Square

A 2001: A Space Odyssey spareness makes it easy to concentrate on the Repetto ballet flats and Vin Baker embossed-croc hobos found at this winning accessory store.
In University Mall, 201 S. Estes Dr., 919-942-2044; second location: 416 Whitehead Cir., Chapel Hill

Products: Shoes
Type of Store: Boutique

Time After Time

Good vintage stores are an anomaly in the area, so when we came across this one on Chapel Hill's main drag, we figured its prime location equaled a lame selection. And yet: The first-rate medley of denim vests and plaid skirts quickly proved us absolutely wrong.
414 W. Franklin St., 919-942-2304

Products: Denim, Women's Clothing, Vintage
Type of Store: Boutique

Uniquities

This is Chapel Hill's longest-running supplier of the latest jeans, T-shirts, and newest small-designer labels. It's been in the same high-visibility location for the past 13 years, and owner Julie Jennings knows exactly how to keep her clientele happy.
452 W. Franklin St., 919-933-4007 (plus other locations in Raleigh), uniquities.com for more information

Products: Denim, Lingerie, Loungewear, Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique