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Welcome to the Racked 38, our list of the most essential stores in Dallas, Fort Worth and in between. It'd be impossible to sum up the area's entire shopping scene, but this is our rough guide—in no particular order!—for visitors or Park Cities lifers alike. We've included our favorite neighborhood gems, a few new flagships, the highest of the local high-end luxury stores and a few spots to score vintage treasures.
Got other suggestions? State your cases for (or against) stores in the comments or email the tipline at dallas@racked.com.
Since opening in 2000, Brian Bolke's boutique has become a destination for serious fashion-forward shoppers. From Jerome C. Rousseau to Kimberly McDonald, the inventory at the 8,000-square-foot store is flush with gems.
Since 1907, this Dallas institution has been a mecca for fashion. The downtown flagship, renovated and refurbished, now spans nine stories, from the lower-level shoe wonderland to CUSP on the fourth, and beyond. Even more, the staff is exceedingly lovely, attentive and knowledgeable.
This independently owned emporium features a collection of shops (The Bridal Salon, The Shak, The Home Shop and The Main Store) that cover over 65,000 square feet. Currently undergoing more refurbishment and a mini-expansion, the store pampers customers with lavish service, not to mention high-end designer clothes.
Located inside the Joule Hotel's lobby, this part-gifts, part-contemporary clothing boutique brings a Los Angeles sensibility (obvi: its owners started the Melrose Ave. original) to statement pieces. Think Robert Clergerie, Apiece Apart and lots of luscious Rachel Comey shoes.
Offering pieces by emerging and established designers from New York, London, Paris, Stockholm, Spain and Japan—as well as items by Kwon herself—the West Village store is quickly becoming a go-to stop for quirky essentials.
This relatively new entry in Dallas shopping brings a New York attitude to Knox Street, stocking Clare Vivier bags, A.P.C. tops, Band of Outsiders pants, Shinola watches and wallets, as well as the Steven Alan private label line.
Think goodyear-welt, stripes, perforations and lots of color, and you're not far off in describing designer Angela Scott's darling shoes. The Dallas transplant's AAC-adjacent showroom is oddly located but nevertheless a must-visit for footwear fanatics. And her every-so-often sample sales make the high-end shoes accessible—not just covetable.
Just next door to Angela Scott, V.O.D. complements the proceedings with fashion-forward designers such as Isabel Marant, Jerome Dreyfuss and Lizzie Fortunato.
What more can you say about a mall that was named as one of the "7 Retail Wonders of the Modern World" by Shopping Centers Today? NorthPark Center is an unparalleled luxury shopping experience with over 235 retailers, as well as a world-class collection of modern art. Add a movie theater and family friendly programming to the mix, and the mall is a must-shop for virtually any Dallas denizen.
Widely regarded as the country’s first true shopping center, the Village is internationally recognized for its architectural significance and a mix of the world’s best-known upscale retailers including Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Harry Winston and Hermès. Recent additions have included Dior, Chapter Two and, imminently, Balenciaga.
Well-known for its e-com presence, Ylang 23 opened a new store in the Plaza at Preston Center in February 2014 and hasn't looked back. The beautiful boutique stocks celebrity faves like Jennifer Meyer, gems from Fort Worth designer Megan Thorne, as well as trinkets from Irene Neuwirth and Cathy Waterman.
Based in Houston, Tootsies stocks American and European designer collections, ready to wear, shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories. The Plaza at Preston Center store also hosts a myriad of trunk shows.
Since 1999, Elements has been the gold standard store for trendy designer labels in Dallas. Think Nanette Lepore, J Brand and Rozae Nichols, plus warm customer service too.
This brand-new flagship is a retail-first for Ferrin, the Dallas designer who has made a name for herself (and her five-ways-to-wear Nikki dress). With artful touches abounding here, the West Village store is part showroom, part gallery.
Home decor and women's jewelry and clothing festoon this Knox-Henderson hippie haunt. Popular lines include Free People and Johnny Was, plus lots of cowboy boots.
This almost-year-old boutique in the Plaza at Preston Center showcases the work of Russian heiress/SMU co-ed/fashion designer Kira Plastinina. And what clothes! Full of flowy florals and vibrant prints, LUBLU is something to "love."
Just next door, Aftershock London opened its U.S. flagship last year, shortly before LUBLU launched. Chock full of party dresses, sequined tops and flashy costume jewelry, Aftershock thrills Dallas lovelies who are looking for just the perfect dress.
Founded in 1988, this Carrollton store began life as a mobile entity; now, vintage mavens flock to it. Stocked with unique finds, from Chanel to Missoni, the emporium is a true treasure trove.
This mall grants North Dallas customers a unique blend of Texas-style ambiance and world-class shopping. The center is anchored by Dillard’s, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus. Restoration Hardware, Benetton and Sephora continue the must-see motif.
This beloved vintage men's and women's clothing store features hand-selected items from 1940s through the 1980s. Expect to see a large selection of vintage cowboy boots, motorcycle and combat boots too.
Since 1982, Galleria Dallas has drawn shoppers with its iconic mix of architecture, high-end stores and its ice rink. New addition Belk is continuing the mall's trend toward more accessible merchandise.
The outlet shopping experience, equidistant from Dallas and Fort Worth, draws residents of both for its wide swath of retailers including Last Call Neiman Marcus and Saks Off 5th.
Southlake Town Square opened in March 1999, and at the time, included about 250,000 square feet of retail and office space. Ten years later, Town Square had grown to more than 1.3 million square feet of space...and it's still growing. New stores have recently been added to the mix, including True Religion, HMK and Lululemon.
Neither feminine nor masculine in feel, WRARE has equal-opportunity appeal. This home-goods boutique in the West 7th shops has everything from vintage typewriters to Nakshi Kantha quilts.
Just next door, Lane-Knight offers fashion mainstays like DVF and sells newer names, too, like Clare Vivier and Gold & Gray. The mix of lines adds up to one colorful palette of clothes.
Open three days a week, You Are Here began life as a pop-up, and now does brisk business in west Fort Worth, thanks to a well-stocked floor filled with lines such as Lemlem, Equipment and Gaia.
From Apple and Anthro to Victoria's Secret (plus Madewell, J.Crew and Banana), the outdoor complex is expanding with five more high-profile tenants this fall. Rumored to be in the mix: Sephora, Kendra Scott, J.McLaughlin, Michael by Michael Kors (and maybe) a Sprinkles Cupcakes.
Banana Republic, Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Cole Haan...you get the gist. Situated in an outdoor setting between South Dallas and Arlington, it's a good bet for great sales.
A Deep Ellum designer vintage boutique for women, this store is a wonderland of vintage Oscar De La Renta and Norma Kamali, plus artworks and other eclectic finds.
Jewelry, handbags, apothecary, floral and other unique "oddities of luxury." You may see candleholders made out of doll heads, stuffed peacocks, skull and crossbones stationery, and even paperweights with snake skeletons inside.
Neighborhood sells high-end designs but accessibly so. With a mix of home furnishings, accessories, custom art and curiosities, this Bishop Arts store is a welcome addition to chain stores aplenty.
Again & Again is a warehouse full of vintage furniture store in the Dallas Design District. The store believes in repurposing, recycling and reinventing, aiming to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture.
British-import Timothy Oulton was founded in 1976 and opened in Dallas in 2012. With bright colors, the heritage pieces are creative, daring furnishings that will add pop to any room.
This small men's and women's boutique from Abi Ferrin disciple John Piermarini has a limited size-run of clothes but a welcome breadth of brands, from Ferrin to Mila Hermanovski's lovable leggings.
This new addition to downtown's shopping scene sports Kenzo, Ann Demeulemeester and other Dallas exclusives. With a men's and mini-children's store adjacent, urban-clothes-minded folks will be satisfied with the edgy looks.
Since opening in 2000, Brian Bolke's boutique has become a destination for serious fashion-forward shoppers. From Jerome C. Rousseau to Kimberly McDonald, the inventory at the 8,000-square-foot store is flush with gems.
Since 1907, this Dallas institution has been a mecca for fashion. The downtown flagship, renovated and refurbished, now spans nine stories, from the lower-level shoe wonderland to CUSP on the fourth, and beyond. Even more, the staff is exceedingly lovely, attentive and knowledgeable.
This independently owned emporium features a collection of shops (The Bridal Salon, The Shak, The Home Shop and The Main Store) that cover over 65,000 square feet. Currently undergoing more refurbishment and a mini-expansion, the store pampers customers with lavish service, not to mention high-end designer clothes.
Located inside the Joule Hotel's lobby, this part-gifts, part-contemporary clothing boutique brings a Los Angeles sensibility (obvi: its owners started the Melrose Ave. original) to statement pieces. Think Robert Clergerie, Apiece Apart and lots of luscious Rachel Comey shoes.
Offering pieces by emerging and established designers from New York, London, Paris, Stockholm, Spain and Japan—as well as items by Kwon herself—the West Village store is quickly becoming a go-to stop for quirky essentials.
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