Boston's Best Stops For Back-To-School Clothes & Accessories

Inside the Fashion Truck (Image: fashiontruck.com)

Summer is wrapping up and it's time to be thinking about getting back to school. But who cares about books, and folders and pens? We all know that back-to-school shopping means time for new clothes, shoes and accessories. Wondering where in Boston to start shopping? Look no further than these great back-to-school retailers.

Lipstick is a sweet little boutique on Newbury Street. Now before you start thinking that a little boutique on Newbury must mean big bucks at the register, give the shop a try. You'll be amazed at just how affordable Lipstick is. Even more surprising is the selection. It's fun, hip, trendy and, most importantly, a little different than everything else you'll see people wearing when you get back to school. Lipstick carries a fine selection of all sorts of clothing but the dress department is where this shop really shines. And don't forget to take a look through the accessories, you'll find a ton of great jewelry to complete the perfect outfit.

LIT is exactly what you have in mind when you think of a great Boston boutique. This little gem of a shop is bright, clean, filled with down-to-earth salespeople and has a fine selection of just about everything you could want to get your wardrobe ready for back to school. The real finds are in the accessory department though. It has fashion-forward, surprisingly high-quality jewelry at a price that you have to see to believe. And the purses will make you forget about spending big bucks at a high-end department store ever again.

Yes, it's a skate shop. But it's also a great place for back-to-school shopping. This skate shop packs a big punch when it comes to shoes and clothing, particularly for young men. When it comes to shoes, you can expect a great selection of every brand name sneaker you can possibly want. When it comes to clothing, head to the back and check out the awesome sales racks. Most of the time you'll be able to fill a bag for less than a shirt or two at the mall would cost you.

Related: Boston's Best Men's Boutiques

Food trucks might be all the rage these days in Boston, but intermixed with all of the traveling tacos and crepe trucks, you'll find a handful of traveling fashion pop-up shops. One of the best of these is The Fashion Truck. For The Fashion Truck, it's not just about the novelty of shopping in a boutique on wheels. This truck has an awesome selection and manages to pack quite a bit into that small space. The truck can be found every Wednesday in Dewey Square, at some SOWA Market Sundays and at other scheduled events in the city. You can also visit its flagship store in Westford.

Related: Ask a Boston Expert: How to Find The Best Jeans For Your Body Type

If you march to the beat of your own drum, want something unique, something vintage or simply want the best deal to be found, head for the Garment District. That is, head for the Garment District and get ready to dig. If you've got the time and patience to look through the racks, you can find some real second treasures in this shop. And if you're a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to fashion, head downstairs where you can find clothes for just a dollar a pound that are perfect for getting turned into a fabulous creation.

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.