It is one of the best boutique stores in Old Town. They…read morehave good selection of clothing, shoes and accessories. It is on the expensive side, but the shoes I got here get compliments every time I wear it. I like the store clerks do not bother you when you look around. I hate it when someone is on my back nonstop. That may be my favorite part.

Me and my girlfriends Usually love this store- however, it is definitely more on the expensive…read moreside! As someone who works in a customer facing role dealing with marketing- just experienced horrible customer service and left. They sent out an email blast to all clients stating summer sale and An EXTRA 40% off in store only. Went in to purchase a dress and the girl had no idea of what email i was mentioning. I pulled it up and she proceeded to say "oh sorry I've been gone for two weeks"... again terrible service to not have employees in the know. And would not honor the email THEY sent out. I also planned to purchase other things as well but I was so turned off by this. They lost a purchase and a customer- will not be purchasing from here again as good customer service would be to honor the email mistake they had seem to make. Plus the dress is still more expensive than other places - give business to those that value customers and are willing to own up to their mistakes!

This was my second time visiting The Phoenix. Very cute shop with a unique inventory. I was able to…read morefind a cute gift for my brother. I do agree with other reviews, the employees watch you as a hawk, but I just ignore them. The cashier was very nice and even offered to pack the gift, free of charge! I will the wrapping paper would have been Christmas colors instead of a bright yellow. Most items are on the expensive side. Still, I'll be returning... probably for Mother's Day.

Update, Aug. 27: The owner responded publicly here saying she had "looked into" the incident and…read morewould be happy to speak privately. Yet no one from The Phoenix has actually contacted me by email or social media, despite the store continuing to view my posts about what happened. Several brands carried by The Phoenix, meanwhile, have reached out to me directly because they do not want their names associated with this kind of customer experience. What is most troubling is that reviews describing racial profiling and discriminatory treatment at this store go back to 2016. That is a decade. At that point, this cannot reasonably be treated as an isolated misunderstanding or simply a customer "feeling this way." If The Phoenix has been aware of complaints like mine for years, what action has actually been taken? Were those customers contacted? Was the conduct investigated? Were policies changed? Was anyone held accountable? A public Yelp response offering to speak "if I'd like" is not initiative. After ten years of similar complaints, the burden should not be on customers who felt profiled or humiliated to pursue the business for a conversation. If these concerns are genuinely being taken seriously, that should be visible in the behavior of the business, not just in the wording of its review responses. -------- At 44, I have never experienced treatment like this in a retail store and I've never written a review, but this warranted one. Following a conference in Washington, D.C., I stopped into The Phoenix and asked to try on a ring. An associate was helping me when the manager, Bonnie, followed us over. When I reached toward the open case to indicate the ring I wanted to see, she reprimanded the associate in front of me, instructed her to lock the case, and made the interaction feel as though I were being treated as a theft risk rather than a customer. Being Latina, the experience felt like racial profiling. I cannot speak to intent, only to the effect: feeling watched, suspect, and unwelcome. Founder to founder, I also found the judgment behind the interaction striking. Much of my own work centers on brand, customer experience, and how businesses earn trust. In a multi-brand store, where customers can easily buy directly from the designers or elsewhere, this kind of treatment is especially short-sighted. Even before that interaction, the atmosphere felt unusual. Bonnie was having staff stand by while she tried on clothing, creating an environment that seemed centered more on the manager than the customer. On Women's Equality Day, the irony was difficult to miss. Women are not exempt from treating other women badly. We should expect better.

Rude owner. I paid extra for the customizable box that came with three items I would even consider…read morewearing. A sweater as part of a summer box. Crop tops when asked not to send crop. Nothing that is on website. Cheap junk sent instead.

Box looked like it had fallen off the truck. The items inside were nice but one sweater seemed to…read morebe a irregular as only one seam was inside out and it ran down the front of the sweater. I wear a 3X and these items were running really small so I couldn't wear them but my size 2X cousin was happy with them. Overall I would recommend just size up if plus size. I would have but 3X was the highest.

Friendly service overcomes my own shyness about shopping. Super comfortable. She much fun.read more

Betsy Fisher offers interesting takes on classic clothes as well as a team that gives superb,…read moreforthright advice. The result? You feel especially attractive, even as you are approaching 80. Two examples: The other day, mask on, I was walking down the street and a masked woman in medical scrubs turned around and said, "That's a great dress!" Last December, I spent two weeks in a surprisingly affordable hotel in the fanciest neighborhood in Buenos Aires. I had packed my tech stuff and clothes in two, 14x14 bags. When I checked out, the clerk said, "You are the most chic dresser."

It is a fun place to shop. Always feel welcome. They offer a combination of consignment and new…read moremerchandise from Italy

Unprofessional, unresponsive, and condescending -- take your luxury bags elsewhere…read more I consigned a like-new $5,000+ tote with Ella Rue in February 2026. The owner listed it at $2,300 with a 55% payout and claimed it would sell within weeks. Instead, I spent six months chasing updates through texts, calls, emails, and website tickets. By summer, they stopped responding entirely. When I visited on September 2, they refused to answer a basic question without an appointment and made me wait until September 11. At that appointment, the owner repeatedly disparaged my bag as outdated, then told me it had sold for $1,875. She initially tried to pay me only 50%. Only after I produced the contract did she apologize and acknowledge the agreed 55%. Even then, my final payment was less than 55% because they deducted an undisclosed "processing fee" of several dozen dollars--something never mentioned throughout the entire process. Six months of silence, condescension, attempted underpayment, and a surprise fee. I'll take my other luxury bags to New York. Avoid this store.

Lovely staff here, everyone I encountered was really nice and they went out of their way to welcome…read moreme and explain how their markdowns worked. There was a waiting line for the fitting rooms but since I only had one item they let me go in the express room near the dresses. Ended up picking up a denim skirt and although I wouldn't say they're priced cheap, it was fair considering the item has its original tag. I also appreciated that at checkout they checked my ID to make sure it matched the payment method so there is no fraud. Overall. I would come here again if I lived in the area!

I've had mixed experiences as a consigner here--I'd say probably 80% neutral to good. Overall, I…read morebring clothes that I think are excellent quality/good brands, but understand that Secondi might just donate them outright. When I first started consigning, I was told that if there was something I *really* didn't want donated, I could let them know. If they decided not to sell that item, I was obligated to come back immediately to get it. I thought that was a nice thing to do, especially since it creates good will with their consigners. One of the last times that I consigned, I explained to the shop-person that there was a piece I wanted to hold onto if they didn't want to sell it, and I was given some eyerolls and told that this is not something Secondi does. They did complete a quick assessment for me, which I appreciated, but the attitude around it made me feel very uncomfortable. It might be helpful if all the shop folks were on the same page about guidelines! Otherwise, Secondi has been around since I was in high school (and probably even before that), so it's a real DC institution. It's one of the most well known consignment shops in DC, and I do think they do a great job curating their wares and they do not sell mass-market/lower quality items.

People use the word "hidden gem" all too often. However in the case of Willow, an unexpected…read moreboutique in Petworth on a street more known for restaurants and bars (Petworth citizen and Domku) this word is absolutely fitting. This store has been open for more than a year and I can't believe me and my credit card haven't found this place earlier.This store is the cutest boutique I have been to in DC! Whether you're looking for a gift for a young women in your life, or looking to expand your wardrobe, a trip to Petworth will definitely pay off!! If you like brands like YA and Tulle, this is the place to go. There are no shortages of cute dresses and tops, with affordable prices (it's also the least expensive boutique I have been to). They also have one rack of vintage clothing, that's all in good shape and look repurposed. I tend to not wear vintage clothes, not cause I am a snob, only because people from the past were really really thin and my modern day thighs won't fit a thing here, but if you're lucky and thin, don't pass this rack by. I nearly dragged in half a rack of clothing into the dressing room with me, and thanks to Lia who reminded me of exactly how many striped dresses I own I walked away with only a cute peplum top for $26( https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=529507513830592&set=a.150739758374038.31207.127311010716913&type=1&theater) which looks like nothing I own and perfect for going out. Lia however did not remind me of my polka dot addiction, and I also walked away with a set of four tiny vintage cute ceramic bowls in red and white polka dot pattern. I know this is a clothing boutique mainly, but definitely if you find yourself in here do not overlook the vintage homewares. Cute plate sets (4 for $19), ring holders and ceramic casserole dishes are everywhere. It's like cute Anthropologie stuff without the inflated nonsense prices. The owner who was completely delightful invited us back for a 30% off event party, which is timed perfectly with my next payday. Coincidence? I think not.

Willow is a SUPER cute women's clothing and accessory boutique in Petworth. Check back frequently…read morefor items on sale (I've got my eye on a few summer dresses). It's also one of my go-to places for cute and unique cards and gifts (jewelry and a few household goods like DC themed glassware!). Have a friend expecting a baby? Pick up a DC flag onesie. This is a wonderful part of the Upshur retail area and definitely worth a trip if you don't live in Petworth. (The owner, Julie, also owns the delectable Lulabelle's Sweet Shop on the block!)

This is a great little shop in Lee Heights that offers high quality (though not outrageously…read morepriced) Women's fashion and accessories as well as adorable high end baby and toddler clothing. They also offer a great selection of unique gifts and other special items that you can't find at the countless big box stores that have taken over almost everywhere else here now. It's like visiting...Etsy...in person. If such a store existed of course. Obviously only a very very small, and very highly curated BIT of Etsy, but still...it's etsy-esque. In a good way. Well worth a visit. Especially for those "extra hard to shop for" and "already have everything" types. They're also great for the many miscellaneous gift needs that pop up throughout the year for coworkers and teachers and other people you might not know very well and whose gift options fall uncomfortably in between even the classiest target dollar bin options your best friends might love, and the fancier more expensive fare reserved for one's own children, close relatives, spouses... The "I don't really know what, but ideally something special and memorable and cool" gifts for all sorts of things like secret Santas, teacher appreciation, miscellaneous baby/bridal showers, office party exchanges, attempts to gain favor or acceptance from cringey or critical or perfectly lovely mother in laws...etc. This place is perfect for all of those and more. I've found awesome Christmas presents for my mother here two years in a row now, and many fun things for myself as well. Best boutique baby clothes section I've seen in the Arlington area, actually. Oh! And Scout bags galore!

Lovely, high quality, unique selection. The staff is…read morepleasant, classy and always helpful. I return every time I pass through Arlington.