This weekend, my friends and I stumbled into Georgetown for some much needed retail therapy after a long week of exams. Walking down M Street, we did our due diligence and browsed through Urban Outfitters, Aritizia, and the like. After no luck, it was time to move onto the big guns: the side streets.
Tucked away on P Street was a tiny boutique boasting a beautiful pink tulle dress in the display case. Intrigued, we decided to check it out. What we found was way beyond the charming, innocent exterior; this was a designer-ridden hideout. Mackage, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton – you name it, they had it. As we later learned, this was a consignment shop called Ella-Rue that featured high-end women’s designer clothes, shoes and bags. Highly frequented by locals, this hidden gem was a breath of fresh air in comparison to the mainstream styles sold on M Street.
Next stop was L’enfant gallery. Art hung along the exterior and bright red stools were aimlessly left along the perimeter. This charismatic storefront looked as if it was pulled straight from the streets of Paris. Inside, broad chandeliers hung from the ceiling, a gentle musty scent lingered, and every square inch was filled with paintings and photographs. After browsing for quite some time, we decided to return when in the market for investment art pieces. Next time you’re in the area and want to try out antiquing, make your way to this historic gallery for a sea of options to browse through.
Continuing down our Parisian-themed path, we decided to stop at Boulangerie Kristophe for a quick cappuccino and croissant. This lowkey spot is located off the main streets and sports a casual back patio that’s perfect for catching up with friends while enjoying the afternoon sun. The large display case of pastries and sandwiches upon entry offers something for every taste. Choose between endless sweet and savory tarts, delectable pastries, and a wide array of warm drinks for the perfect mid-afternoon lunch. There’s also a second floor dining area which offers more of a sit-down restaurant experience.
The final stop on our tour-de-Georgetown was Lou Lou Boutiques. This adorable shop offered endless accessories to choose from: hats, necklaces, little chachkies, you name it. With the holidays just around the corner, consider dropping by to find gifts for your accessory-obsessed friends and family.
Evidently, there is so much more to Georgetown than the stores on M Street. Next time you have the opportunity to aimlessly wander, veer off onto the side streets and explore the charming hidden boutiques; you never know what you’ll find.