More often than not, you’ll encounter the word “scene” attached to a variety of terms when reading write-ups and reviews of Portland, Maine. The bar scene, the dining scene, the arts scene. And here’s another to add to the list, if you haven’t scene (sorry) it coming already: The shopping scene.
Portland’s streets—especially the cobblestoned versions running through the Old Port area—are lined with all manner of boutiques and shops, many of which are stocked with high-quality, unique apparel.
If it’s time to refresh your tired wardrobe, put on your comfy walking shoes, get out your credit card, and hit the streets of Portland for some serious clothing shopping therapy.
Map of Portland Clothing Stores
Here’s a handy map of clothing stores in and around Portland, ME.
Portland Dry Goods
I must admit—I was a little baffled upon entering this bespoke shop. The name evoked images of an old general store with bins of dried beans and shelves of nonperishable items, but what to my wondering eyes did appear but artfully-arranged, chic men’s and women’s apparel, footwear, and accessories, organized by color and style.
Laden with high-end, travel-friendly clothing and useful accompaniments—think backpacks, sunglasses, and water bottles—PDG features pretty much the best of the best when it comes to top-of-the-line, small clothing manufacturers from around the globe.
Location: 235 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Portland Dry Goods
Suger
A family-owned and -run business—Angelrox—makes all of Suger’s women’s apparel by hand, right in Biddeford, Maine. Every unique item is made from bamboo and sustainable plant materials, and the entire company is dedicated to eliminating waste by recycling and reusing as much as possible—from the production floor to the front office.
The clothing is utterly delightful; flowy, soft, drapey pieces that all seem to coordinate seamlessly and make getting dressed a pleasure. The small-batch-made dresses, ponchos, gowns, skirts, wraps, sheaths, and accessories are addictive; be sure to clear your closet before shopping at Suger.
Location: 271 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Suger
Earthbound Trading Co.
This “community of free spirits, curious souls, and adventurous nomads” opened Earthbound Trading Co. as a mineral and rock shop in 1994 and has since morphed it into the collection of boho fashion and edgy décor it is today. Featuring freewheeling, fun, and affordable apparel for men and women, the clothing here skews casual—and in the best way possible.
But don’t despair if you’re on a last-minute hunt for a dress or a button-down shirt for an unexpected event—because ETC has those, too, as well as unique jewelry and accessories to add just the right touch of glam.
Location: 22 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Earthbound Trading Co.
Expressly Trends
If you need a few pieces to spruce up your look but your wallet is a bit thin, head to Expressly Trends. Offering quality, branded apparel for less than you’d pay at the big-name stores, this little boutique is all about offering customers a more personal shopping experience.
The shop is small enough not to be overwhelming, and the stock changes with the seasons; you’ll find women’s clothing, jewelry, handbags, and other accessories all arranged in an easy-to-peruse manner.
Location: 40 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Expressly Trends
Zane Boutique
This woman-owned and -operated shop opened in 2005 with the goal of offering today’s women a carefully curated collection of apparel that fits “both their personal style and their lifestyle.” Featuring dozens of brand names—think Apotheke, Ganni, Malin + Goetz, and Simon Miller—Zane Boutique’s offerings encompass a wide variety of clothing.
Outerwear, dresses, jeans, blazers, hats, footwear, and accessories…all top-quality and made to last. You’ll also find home goods and apothecary items, perfect for last-minute hostess gifts.
Location: 41 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Zane Boutique
Bliss Boutique
Bliss Boutique was founded in 2002 by Maine College of Art students, and that creative heritage is evident in the quality and beauty of the company’s curated apparel and accessory lines. With a denim-centric focus, the buyers for Bliss have sought out collections that offer comfort, longevity, and make the wearer look and feel fabulous.
You’ll find brands like Citizens of Humanity, Mother, Edwin, and Prairie Underground here, alongside dozens more. And don’t forget to spend time browsing the footwear and accessories to round out your look.
Location: 42 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Bliss Boutiques
Cotton Garden of Portland
This bright and colorful shop offers comfortable, vacation-style clothing and accessories for women, juniors, and children. The apparel changes with the seasons; expect brands like SeaSalt, Color Me Cotton, I Can Too, Flax, and Blu Pepper.
Featuring mostly casual styles in lively prints and fabrics, the Cotton Garden stocks dresses, leggings, shorts, sweaters, tops, and skirts, along with a variety of accessories like scarves, jewelry, handbags, and hats.
Location: 55 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Cotton Garden of Portland
Jill McGowan, Inc.
Starting out with a line of simple, fine, white women’s shirts in 1994—still the most popular item in the store’s clothing line—Jill McGowan, Inc. has evolved, and while the Portland shop is the flagship store (Jill is from Maine), the collections are now known across the country.
Fabrics are curated from mills in England, Italy, Switzerland, and Belgium for the comfortable, travel-friendly clothing this company is known for, and each collection features its own aesthetic and vibe—so you can customize your own look.
Location: 107 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Jill McGowan, Inc.
Corey & Co.
With the primary focus on bespoke men’s and women’s apparel created in-house, Corey & Co. also offers a thoughtful curation of clothing and accessory lines from other high-quality makers like Mansted, Elietian, Foil, and Amici.
The store has a museum vibe to it; products are displayed like objets d’art, in a manner that allows you to really see them, rather than pulling things out of tightly-packed racks. You’ll also find unique collections of accessories and beautiful, locally-crafted jewelry.
Location: 19 Pleasant St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Corey & Co.
Judith
Another flagship shop, Judith is an upscale women and children’s concept shop offering high-end names like Black Crane, Corpus Naturals, GIU GIU, and Ursa Major, among many more.
If you subscribe to the “you get what you pay for” school of thought, chances are you aren’t going to walk out of Judith empty-handed. You’ll find undergarments, dresses, tops, outerwear, pants, footwear, swimwear, and loungewear as well as accessories and items for home and body.
Location: 131 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Judith
Siempre Mas
For those of you that didn’t take Spanish in school, “Siempre Mas” means “Always More,” which is a great name for this shop, I must say. Constantly traveling the world to track down more causes to support—such as funding cataract surgery and Cambodian education efforts—the owners believe in giving back globally, and Siempre Mas is merely a means to attain that goal.
Knowing that the purchase of every cozy hoodie, soft scarf, comfy skirt, or handcrafted jewelry item helps someone in need somewhere in the world kind of makes you want to buy more, huh? Stock up on gifts for the entire year, maybe…
Location: 377 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Siempre Mas
Portland Trading Co.
“A general store for modern times,” the buyers at Portland Trading Co. curate a balanced collection of men’s and women’s quality apparel, as well as home goods, footwear, and bath/body items.
The catchphrase here is “Beyond Retail,” and you’ll see why when you shop at PTC. Chances are you probably won’t find many of the products here anywhere else—and while clothing only makes up a portion of everything you’ll find at Portland Trading Co., the apparel here is top quality and made for longevity—wardrobe components you’ll have for years to come.
Location: 83 Market St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Portland Trading Co.
Leave A Comment