Skip the Shein Sweaters and Shop These Local Gems for Holiday Looks

Are your favorite little treats most often wearable? Do you hesitate to repeat a look during a single party season? Never met a sequin you didn’t love? Say less.

While it’s tempting to add-to-cart from online purveyors of cheap, trendy clothes of the season, we’d argue that it can be just as convenient and affordable to fill your closet locally — but you don’t just have to take our word for it. 

With picks across the city, we’ve sourced a spot near you with perfect — and nearly perfectly-priced — holiday party looks that don’t come with the murky supply chain and giant carbon footprint. Plus, the ability to hug the person who hand-picked or hand-made what you’re wearing to share some holiday cheer with your friends, creates a warm, fuzzy feeling you’ll never get from fast fashion.

Beatnik Fine Goods
Lindsey Munchrath’s beautiful Oak Cliff boutique is a local go-to for gifts, kids and home. You can also pick up a photo-ready look, plus accessories, with cash to spare for a bottle of champs. The owner points out current items, including a vintage-inspired polka dot mini dress ($78) and a draped calf-length dress ($58), both in red. Add a pearl-studded ponytail clip ($8) or French barrette ($12) and you’re golden. Shop in-store at 837 W. 7th St., or online at beatnikfinegoods.com.

Clothes Circuit
A local resource for over four decades, this University Park resale spot adds hundreds of items to its selection daily. Designer devotees will find the likes of Emily Lovelock, Alice + Olivia, Veronica Beard, Zimmerman, Lela Rose and many more elevated contemporary brands at not-so-elevated prices. For example, an ice-blue sequined dress by cult fave Un-Nye and a black bustier top by Paola Bernardi are both spot-on for New Year’s Eve — and each is just $75. These looks are available online, but you can shop an expanded selection in-store at 6105 Sherry Lane.

Boho Market
Representing our state’s largest series of multi-vendor artisan markets, the Boho Market will host multiple events throughout the holiday season across the metro. Each will showcase dozens of unique small brands, including accessibly-priced indie designer clothing, vintage apparel and accessories, handmade jewelry and statement-making hats. Locations in December include Preston Hollow Village, Castle Hills, Klyde Warren Park and more. Check out the full schedule for more details.

MKT
When you need to make a grand entrance on a budget, MKT is always worth a stop-in. Store CEO Stephen Swetish notes his current favorite pairing: a blue sequined mini skirt ($69) with a gauzy button-down ($39). He also highlights a floor-length winter white gown ($88) that’ll get you gala-ready for less than a C-note. These items are available in-store at 3699 McKinney Ave., #316, but you can also shop an expanded selection online.

Movida
Don’t you love it when you turn over the tag, only to be pleasantly surprised? Sticker shock, but in the opposite way. Cute finds that cost less than expected are the rule, rather than the exception at Movida. Take, for example, this oversized, single-button cardigan, which looks much more expensive than its $64 price tag. Also serving luxe is a velvet-accented maxi dress with a peeking lace bralette for $68. These looks and more are available online, but if you prefer to do it the old school way, you can shop in-store at 3699 McKinney Ave., #510 in the West Village.