I Know A Place: Seattle Fashion Edition

As a long-time Seattleite who loves exploring, I know many places around town that truly make this city a magical place to live. We have gorgeous bodies of water surrounding us, clear skies, clean air, and innovative ideas. My friends frequently come to me to ask for recommendations on hidden gems around town like must-visit boutiques and great places to dine with kids. I constantly find myself saying the phrase, "I Know A Place", so it's only fitting that Visit Seattle asked to highlight a few of my favorite places for a recent campaign.

For our latest collab, I explored the city through a fashion lens by visiting beloved book stores, boutiques, and specialty shops that are too good to miss. My family and I capped the day with a delicious dinner at Goldfinch Tavern before turning in for the night at the Four Seasons. Here's an overview of our itinerary filled with insider tips for safely exploring the city in style. 

I know a place....that curates a gorgeous assortment of global fashion brands. 

Flora & Henri has been locally owned and operated since 1998. The Seattle concept shop located on the corner of First and Jackson in Pioneer Square is visually stunning and perfectly curated with beautiful products for the entire family. At Flora & Henri, you'll find a mix of local favorites like handbags from Ampersand as Apostrophe merchandised next to dreamy, global favorites like dresses from Italian brand Loretta Caponi.

I know a place...where you can shop local for ethically made clothing and shoes.

Clementine's in Pioneer Square offers fashion fans a unique place to shop from small brands that value slow fashion. Owner Linda Walsh is passionate about providing an inclusive space for people to make conscious fashion choices. Featured brands include Paloma Wool, People Tree, and Prairie Underground.

I know a place...where you can shop an amazing selection of local authors. 

If the pandemic was good for anything, it was simply to remind us that we're always just one book away from a great escape. Elliott Bay Book Co. on Capitol Hill is a full-service, locally owned bookstore home to over 150,000 titles. As a lifelong bookworm and #ShopLocal fan, I love the fact that they give valuable shelf space to local authors including astrologer Stephanie Gailing, who released not one, but TWO books during quarantine. Stephanie's latest books, The Complete Book of Dreams and The Complete Guide to Astrological Self-Care offer readers a holistic approach to everyday wellness. As a Virgo, I'm a big fan of astrological insight and after devouring Stephanie's dream book, I'm really excited to dive into her self-care guide that features sections for each of the twelve zodiac signs. 

* Elliott Bay Book Co. also carries the Seattle Style: Fashion/Function book by MOHAI curator Clara Berg, which originally accompanied the 2019 Seattle fashion exhibit.  I was honored to be part of the advisory committee for that exhibit and it remains one of my favorite MOHAI exhibits of all time because of the unique way it told Seattle’s style story.

I know a place...where you can shop one of Seattle's best heritage brands. 

Filson has been around since 1897, originally outfitting prospectors passing through the city on their way to the Klondike gold rush. The Seattle flagship is a fun place to experience the roots of the brand and witness its evolution. In addition to shopping in person, customers can opt for curbside pick-up for orders made over the phone. Same-day delivery services are also being offered from the flagship store within a specific radius.

I know a place...where you can shop an incredible selection of international fashion magazines.

Big Little News is a hidden gem on Capitol Hill brimming with specialty magazines like British Vogue, Elle UK, Paris Vogue, and more. In addition, you'll find indie magazines that cover a variety of interests and must-have items to accompany your reading material, like bottles of champagne and giant boxes of candy. This is a great place to shop for gifts, too.

I know a place...where you can shop a great mix of local designers that handmake their goods in Seattle.

Located in Belltown, Sassafras is a retail shop and fashion studio home to a variety of local brands including Stone Crow Designs, Bartle B., and La Macón by Shari Noble. The shop is a hub for independent fashion designers from around the city and offers a great way for fashion fans to shop a selection of local brands all under one roof. Personal shopping appointments are available and can easily be booked online.  

I know a place...where you can enjoy an amazing dinner complete with sweeping views of the Puget Sound. 

Goldfinch Tavern, located at the Four Seasons, serves up Pacific Northwest-inspired cuisine featuring locally-sourced ingredients. From the drinks menu, start with the Smoked Manhattan and then move on to my favorite main course: Cedar Plank King Salmon served with vegetables from Pike Place Market. As a side dish, you have to try the Goldfinch Lobster Mashers. I'm still dreaming about the decadence of this acclaimed side dish.  Insider tip: Flat rate parking is available when dining at the restaurant. 

I know a place...where you can escape the ordinary and enjoy a staycation in the heart of the city. 

Four Seasons Seattle is the perfect place to visit when you need to recharge but want to stay in the city. We loved the views from our room of the Washington State Ferries and of the iconic Seattle Great Wheel. Room service is a must for breakfast (my daughter London highly recommends the blueberry pancakes) and if you have time, the spa is a magically rejuvenating place that is good for both the body and soul. The Infinity Pool overlooking Puget Sound is also open daily for guests from 6  a.m. to 9 p.m. and features sweeping views of Elliott Bay.

What are your favorite places to shop around town? I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email or leave me a comment on this post and tell me your favorite shops to explore around town. 

* This post was written in partnership with Visit Seattle.