Necessary Secrets is the definition of boutique excellence. Their customer service is…read moreextraordinary--personal, attentive, and tailored to your needs. Whether you're being expertly fitted or selecting something special for a bride‑to‑be, the staff makes the experience feel luxurious. I return again and again because this store always delivers elegance. I love choosing unique wedding‑night gifts that brides rarely have time to pick out for themselves. And Mandi, the store manager, is a true treasure. She greets me with a smile and guides me straight to the most exquisite lingerie and robe collections--pieces that feel curated just for my brides. From everyday essentials to breathtaking bridal selections, there's something stunning for every budget. If you're at Greenspring Station, do yourself a favor and stop in. Necessary Secrets never disappoints.

Won't be returning to this shop. Went in looking for a bra to wear the next evening. Asked to be…read moremeasured. Woman told me I measured two band sizes larger than what i typically wore. She told me the brand runs small so I figured she knew best. When I wore it the next evening the hooks were on the tightest option and by half way through the event the bra was half way up my chest. Misery. Took the bra back to the store. The same two grumpy looking ladies were sitting up front. They looked at the receipt and then had the same woman who mismeasured me, measure me again. Of course she told me how many years she had been doing this and surprise, she came up with the same measurement. I told her again, it obviously did not fit if a new bra is on the tightest hook and still rides up. They had the bra band altered but of course now the cup is not right. What a $90 disaster. Never an apology for the inconvenience. I will steer everyone away from this place.

Long time readers may know how finicky I am about undergarments. I am a diva about it and I require…read morethings to be truly excellent. In the past, I've tried this place and been kind of unimpressed. But now!! They have upgraded their game in a big way. They had multiple options available in my hard-to-fit size. The person who helped me was both knowledgeable and respectful. The prices were very reasonable and they had both everyday stuff and special-occasion wear. I came away with an actual matching bra and panty set, incredibly rare in my sizes. It was the Elomi Matilda, for you connoisseurs out there. The little shop is clean, pretty, and fun. The dressing rooms were nice too. I can only offer one minor critique: there's nowhere for the sugar daddy/mommy to sit and admire the process. And frankly, that's an integral part of the journey for many of us! As with most places in Fell's Point, you must park on the street or else way around the corner at a garage on Caroline. This place is okay for handicap access, if I recall correctly. There might be one step to get inside; that's pretty common in that area. I will certainly go back!

I love this place! Emily was helpful, knowledgable, and an all-around cool person. My experience…read morewas so positive that it prompted me to unearth my Yelp account after one thousand years of inactivity in order to write this review... Highly recommend!

Awesome personal attention and a wide inventory of cute clothes. You will love this shopread more

I stopped by Octavia Boutique today, and I was so impressed that I felt compelled to write a few…read morelines about it. The store is fairly large and sits in the Village of Cross Keys in Baltimore, an upscale open‑air shopping destination near the golf course. I've been a customer there for quite some time, but lately it feels as though they've shifted gears -- in the best possible way. What stands out most is the balance in their selection. They offer an appealing mix of evening wear, casual everyday pieces, and beautifully tailored clothing in rich, flattering colors. The pants are consistently good, the jackets are glorious, and the sweaters are the kind you want to touch. Everything is thoughtfully curated and priced sensibly, which is dangerous for me because I can always find something I won't be able to resist. Their jewelry selection has also taken a noticeable leap forward. They still carry small, affordable, easy pieces, but they've also added more distinctive designer items​ lately -- bold colors, contemporary shapes, and intriguing materials. I spotted exquisite Lucite pieces, leather designs in unexpected hues, and some very fashion‑forward clip earrings from Paris that are both chic and unbelievably comfortable. ​Visiting Octavia Boutique always feels like stepping into a space where style is taken seriously without ever feeling intimidating. What makes it truly exceptional, though, is how rare it is to find a fashion boutique that excels equally in clothing and jewelry. Their recent evolution has only sharpened that distinction. The apparel is beautifully curated, but the jewelry collection is nothing short of breathtaking -- a level of creativity and quality you almost never see under the same roof. If you enjoy thoughtful fashion, distinctive accessories, and a store that consistently surprises in the best way, Octavia is well worth the stop. Just be warned: resisting temptation there is nearly impossible.

This Victoria's Secret location is newly remodled. It was clean, organized and spacious. When I…read morewalked in, I was greeted by a few sales associates. They allowed me to look around the store for a few minutes without bombarding me with questions or making me feel uncomfortable by following me around. Once I needed assistance in bra sizes, I was helped by the nicest, and most attentive manager - Mrs. Rodriguez. I was unsure of my bra size and wanted to get re-fitted so she radioed to the dressing room for assistance and made sure to see me through the process up to check-out. I felt very valued and taken care of the entire time.

As I walked in Victoria Secret in many locations, I am greeted; and of course this was the action…read moretoday. Yes this is inside the Arundel Mills Mall Being as though this is the Holiday shopping season quickly approaching in less than 2 weeks, this store was well organized, neat, clean, and stocked. The fashioned undies and secret pieces for you or your significant other are in full array and styles awaiting and luring to them. The prices of the garments can be up there but they run deals and sales all them time. Just know the PJs that are always a great gift during this time are pretty much scarce and picked over in sizes. But there were so many other options you do not have to get stuck there. I literally get lost in a store designed and organized as this one. The staff were not overly pushing to assist but there when you need them and friendly. My cashier was the closer of my visit here and made sure the time spent in the store being peaceful and harmonious continued during the purchase.

Great service; great designers. Their customer service can be overwhelming if you are used to the…read moretotal neglect of department stores. but they realized over several visits that was not something I liked. Some of their customers, clearly relish it. The owner tho has a great eye and I found her assistance in adding to an outfit v helpful.

I know this store very well. It is very high-end. I have bought some really nice pieces at this…read morestore. And it is not cheap, but most of the items are high quality; a few items are priced reasonably; and quite a few pieces are on the eclectic and artistic side. All very nice. I would easily give this store four or five stars but at times they have issues with people of color, specifically Black people, shopping there. The third time I was there the clerk followed me around that small space (it is so small she could see me by just standing in one place and pivoting). She behaved as if I was going to steal something, and it was obvious and certainly not customer friendly. Her attitude suggested that she didn't think I could afford anything in the store, and she even rattled off the prices out loud so I would know how much an item was--all for the other patrons to hear as well. She didn't know I had spent $500 during my first visit; and $300 on my second visit (these amounts are miniscule compared to what a lot of women spend in this store). Imagine her surprise and then immediate deference when I bought a $750 leather jacket and a few other items. Then when her computer found that I was a repeat customer she lavished me with false praise. However, since then I have not gone back to shop there. Life is much too precious to spend hard earned money at stores where you are treated like they don't want you there; stores that hire people with deep-seated racial biases or they simply condone such behavior among the other customers or the staff. It is a shame though, I really liked this store. But these days I only go and spend money where all people are treated with genuine respect.

My daughter used to shop at this store often because she is a dancer, and she had always had a good…read morerapport with the owners and staff. Today, she went in looking for pasties but did not find what she wanted and left without purchasing anything. Shortly afterward, a new employee came outside, took photos of my car, and falsely accused my daughter of stealing. We immediately went back into the store and told her there was no theft and that she should review the security cameras if she truly believed otherwise. Instead of handling the situation professionally, she became rude, aggressive, and threatened to call the police. I told her to go ahead, and we called as well. The police told us over the phone that proof of a theft would be needed. We waited for the officers to arrive, and after speaking with everyone and reviewing the situation, nothing happened because there was no evidence or video showing that anything had been stolen. What made the situation even more upsetting was that white men entered and left the store before and after us without making purchases, yet they were not questioned or accused of anything. Based on this experience, I would strongly caution people of color -- and honestly anyone -- before shopping at this store. False accusations and unprofessional behavior like this should never happen to any customer.

Decent selection of sexy clothes...even this voluptuous vixen found items that fit. Helpful staff…read morethat are very present as you shop- will show you how toys operate/charge. Small area of lube up by the cashier's counter. Overall decent option.

I visited this store for an updated bra fitting and to purchase an everyday bra. As I walked in, I…read morewas warmly greeted by a store associate named Ipti (apologies if I've misspelled her name). She provided white-glove service throughout the entire fitting process. She was patient, receptive to my feedback, and made me feel comfortable during the process. I especially appreciated that she always asked for permission before entering the fitting room, demonstrating a thoughtful awareness of consent in a very personal setting. Ipti provided me a wide variety of bra styles and prices. she was receptive to feedback and would pivot based off my feedback. Once I finished the fitting and wanted to browse the store on my own, she clearly explained the store layout and different sections. At checkout, she carefully wrapped my purchase and attached care and cleaning instructions to my receipt, which I thought was a thoughtful touch. Overall, the store was clean and well-organized. The prices were higher than stores like Victoria's Secret for example, but the quality of the products, brands, and personalized service make for that cost difference. It was clear that the business genuinely wanted customers to leave with products that have quality and work well. The only note really from me on the layout was a room in the back left corner of the store that looked different from the rest of the store and had its door wide open. I wasn't sure whether it was a stockroom or part of the shopping. If it is a staff-only space, some additional signage or keeping the door shut might help avoid confusion for first-time visitors. Another thing I noted was that I was able to hear the employees in the backrooms discussing another employees background check. I LOVE to gossip but having these conversations where customers can hear could be deemed unprofessional and someone could abuse this information. Overall, I enjoyed browsing the store and the service and would love to return for future fittings and purchases.

Excellent service and wonderful selection for all sizes. I'm tough to fit, and they give…read morepersonalized recommendations and make me feel comfortable each & every time I visit. I wouldn't go anywhere else!

What can I say, this experience was nothing short of amazing! I was on the hunt for a bridal dress…read moreand tried everything from a lace slip dress by Free People, to scoping out dresses amongst the masses at the scary David's Bridal, to trekking to Georgetown to the J. Crew Bridal only to be unimpressed, and finally stopping by Francesca's Bridal in Baltimore. Despite seeing several dresses I liked, I knew I wanted to have mine made. My mother is an avid reader of The Washington Post and had seen an article about Jill and her involvement with a Johns Hopkins team redesigning Ebola suits. I realized that her atelier is located in Hampden just a few minutes from where I live. I contacted her team prior to beginning my search and they let me know the price range and options. I decided to keep looking but ultimately reached out again months later and scheduled an appointment. As soon as I walked through the door I knew it would be a great endeavor. Jill is just the most lovely woman and despite creating intricate, complex, elegant, and stunning dresses was not at all snobbish or intimidating but accessible and spot on with my vision of the gown. She drew a sketch and that was that! Every little detail was incorporated, for the most part on that first day, with neat additions later on during the process. She is such a pro that she guessed by sight my measurements at my first fitting. Jill's original assistant Mia, moved out of Baltimore and was replaced by Sarah. Both women are wonderful, stylish, muses for the studio and the transition was seamless. I followed up to confirm an appointment and Sarah promptly responded. There were a few tragic, unforeseen events which meant changing appointments, but I was so impressed with Jill's utter dedication to her clients. The JAG team was always focused on the final product and their continued expert pacing. The dress creation is a process but the most fun and luxurious one a bride can imagine. If you or someone you know is tying the knot soon and wants to have a couture dress to wear and cherish for years to come, contact the Jill Andrews team. I can assure you, Jill delivers exactly what you have in mind. I've seen her creations from beach/boho to Alice in Wonderland and even Christian Dior style corset underpinnings. The best part of my dress was the Sophie Hallette lace which supplies to Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino. It really helped the whimsical Midsummer Night's Dream aesthetic I was going for. They also sell bridal mix + match separates, fascinators, and do dress alterations.

I contacted Jill after my wedding gown was badly damaged by another local seamstress. From the…read morebeginning, she was friendly, knowledgeable, and very professional. (As was Mia, Jill's assistant.) Their studio looks like something out of a movie or a fairy tale, full of beautiful fabric, dress forms modeling Jill's fantastic creations, mirrors, antique furniture (to match their wonderful historic building), and about a million sewing machines. Jill was very reassuring about repairing my dress, which was especially important to me since I'd had such a bad experience previously. I never doubted her capabilities, and was continually impressed with how meticulous she was, catching details that even I had overlooked. She treated my silk dress very gently, and did her best to undo the damage that had been done. She asked lots of questions and took notes during the initial consultation, and took even more measurements and notes at our second appointment. By the third appointment, the dress was nearly complete and everything had been done beautifully! She only had another hour of work left on it, so offered to drop it off at my home when it was finished. Above and beyond! The quality of Jill's work is amazing. She took the back of my dress, which was cut up and fraying, and put in a gorgeous corset back. She even reinforced the seams to be extra sure everything would lace evenly and hold up under stress. Jill also removed yards of unevenly sewn tulle--which I'm sure took a very gentle touch--and replaced it with properly gathered and sewn tulle. When she was done, my dress looked even better than when I'd bought it. So basically, whether you've got a damaged dress, a vintage dress in need of alterations, or an imaginary dress you've been dreaming of your whole life, Jill's your gal! Jill saved my wedding dress when I'd given up hope on it, and I am so thankful that she was a part of one of the most important days of my life.