Magpie Boutique

Always feel like a million dollars when I wear my finds I’ve purchased at Magpie. No need to travel to NYC to shop y’all!

Many days of the week I’ve got Magpie on my bod. Some days it’s only a scarf or handbag, but many days it’s more. I will confess that I’ve been banned from buying the jewelry because … I own a jewelry store (yes, Hamilton Hill at Brightleaf), but i really admire the Magpie jewelry style and am often tempted. Thanks Po-​Ming and crew for clothes and, recently, for the personal shopping. See you again soon I’m sure.

I had a big event for which I wanted to buy a special dress, but was dreading the process of trying to find something. I love to wear nice clothes but fashion is not necessarily my strong suit and I’m awful about accessorizing. I had a brief period of time on my way home from work so thought I’d swing into Magpie. In less than 30 minutes, Po-​Ming helped me find the perfect dress paired with a belt and earrings that in this case, absolutely make the outfit. While I was there, I also discovered a bright colored tunic (it, like the other dress, was reasonably priced) that I purchased and wore recently, and received a flurry of complements on it. This is the sort of experience one doesn’t get at the mall. Thanks, Magpie!

Magpie is a really, really cute little shop. You will love going in there! First of all, it’s full of adorable, super fashionable clothing and accessories hand-​picked and displayed nicely by folks with very good taste. And the clothes aren’t over-​the-​top expensive! Even «normal» people can afford to add Magpie to their wardrobe. One of my favorite things is being able to walk in and ask for help! And the people who work there will bend over backwards to find you something (with their amazing good taste and fashion sense) that you will actually like! Hands down one of the best clothing boutiques in Durham.

UPDATE: Since my first review, Magpie has gotten even better. Po-​Ming is stocking more gorgeous and unique clothing alongside the old-​faithfuls, and she knows and remembers her customers’ preferences, styles, and budgets. The accessories are still wonderful, and lovely KOBO candles and Libellule perfume sticks make great add-​ons.
I have never experienced the rigidity some other posters mentioned around exchanges, repairs, or returns. The entire staff has been exceedingly understanding and responsive in helping me find a solution to a *reasonable* situation.

If I could give this establishment no stars, I would. This used to be my go-​to place for accessories, but after my last experience I have discovered that their customer service is truly horrible.
I’ve bought several things from Magpie before and was always satisfied with the merchandise. On Wednesday July 11, 2012, I went into the boutique and bought a pair of earrings and a necklace. When I bought them, the salesclerk did not go over their return policy with me (no salesclerk ever has). I got home and tried on the earrings with the dress I wanted to wear them with and noticed that the posts on the earrings were placed differently, causing the earrings to hang unevenly. I took the earrings back on Friday July 13, 2012 and was told by a salesclerk that I would not receive my money back, they could only offer me store credit. She said it was store policy and someone should have told me about it when I bought the earrings. She then told me I would need to speak to the owner as she was the only one who could refund money. I left my name and number so that they owner could call me. The owner never contacted me. On Tuesday July 17, 2012 I called Magpie Boutique again and was told the owner was coming in that day. I went over to Magpie so that I could talk with her in person. The owner, Po-​Ming Wong, did not greet me or ask what was wrong. She simply said, «This is our return policy.» I told her that because I was not satisfied with the product that I wanted my money back, not store credit. She laughed at me and said again, «This is our return policy.» She asked me if I had asked about the return policy before I bought the earrings. I told her that I never ask about the return policy because I assume that the seller will treat me fairly. I asked her why she thought it was right to keep my money if I was not satisfied with her product. She laughed again and said «This is our return policy. I can offer you store credit.» I told her that she was not listening or answering my question and she told me that it did not matter how I explained it, she was not going to refund my money. She said that all the other boutiques in Durham have the same return policy (which is not true) and that she and her business partner had agreed to not make any exceptions. She said that she had made exceptions before, but that she would not make an exception with me. She never once asked me what was wrong with the earrings or apologized.
I have never experienced that level of disrespect or unprofessionalism in any kind of business establishment. I like to go to smaller stores and boutiques because the customer service is usually impeccable. Unfortunately, Po-​Ming Wong represents Magpie Boutique in a way that is unprofessional and repellant to customers. I will never shop there again and really encourage everyone to stay away.

I LOVE Magpie! This is a great, locally-​owned boutique with something for everyone– fantastic clothing, jewelry, bags, and shoes at a range of price points. The lines are all great quality, some familiar lines and some great ones that are new to me. All gorgeous! One of my favorite things about Magpie is the friendliness and expertise of the staff. They in no way pressure you to buy, they are so helpful giving fashion advice and honest opinions. You won’t have to worry about purchasing an ill-​fitting dress here– they won’t let you! I recommend this shop to all of my friends because it is always a fun place to shop and I always find something I love. If you haven’t visited yet, you definitely should!

I swear, I now buy all of my clothes at Magpie! The staff really know how to pick out clothes that work for me, and I love the selection and the prices (there are plenty of clothes in the $ 40-​$ 70 range). But the jewelry selection really sets Magpie apart from other stores. Crazy beautiful and unique pieces (and affordable!). One stop shopping in downtown Durham– sign me up!

Unique, well made, couture-​ish pieces and jewelry to boot. For a mid-​sized place they have a wide range from basics to more intricate statements. Lovely fine jewelry and then some funky less expensive pieces as well. Combining affordable trinkets with more high end tops and dresses is a great idea. Each item seems chosen with care and a stylish eye. Something for everyone.

Magpie is where to get that key accessory that will make any outfit pop. They have a wide selection of necklaces and the like, most for under $ 100 (and if they are more, there is an obvious reason why). The craftsmanship of their jewelry is at least of the same quality as those sold by J. Crew and in some cases higher. I particularly liked their selection of brass jewelry, which is a great way to get pieces that are gold-​toned without a) breaking the bank on real gold or b) wearing something that looks cheap (ahem, Anthro).
Their selection of dresses is similarly impressive. There were a number of things that would work wonderfully in a fancy office on someone closer to 30 than 20, all for well under $ 200. The fabric quality was somewhat mixed but the gems were real gems.
I wanted all of the shoes but had already done enough damage to my wallet that I needed to pretend that they were not there.
I give Magpie 5 stars because in addition to having a solid selection at good prices, the staff is patient and helpful. I asked «how should I accessorize this» and they spent a bunch of time helping me try on different things and talking through options. They suggested many things yet seemed to get when to back off and let me think. I will definitely go back.

Cute dresses and shoes at fair prices. Beautiful jewelry. Very helpful staff. Love it!

If my husband knew this had opened in Durham, he probably wouldn’t let me within a 5-​mi radius of downtown. It’s dangerous, people. Racks full of beautiful Italian scarves (I got one priced at $ 50); dresses that say «I’m sophisticated, but still hip» (I scored one on the sale rack marked down to $ 70!); beautiful blouses that could go from the office to dinner & drinks at Revolution (I bought one such blouse); and a section of Durham-​branded awesomeness including tee-​shirts emblazoned with a ham hock (you know, Dur-​ham; get it?) and our beloved bull (naturally, I had to have one). And that’s not even stopping to rave about their gorgeous jewelry, posh handbags or divine-​smelling candles. Me likey!

Starving at 3 p.m., I headed from my office in Brightleaf toward Five Points and, on Main St. — finally open! — saw this delightfully curious shop window. Lovely dresses in the window. Adorable logo. Magpie, it said. Beneath it: NOW OPEN in bright, bold letters.
‘What the what??’ I thought, Liz Lemon spit take style, but begrudgingly resisted its gravitational pull, my rumbling tummy urging me onward to Toast. Once there, I inhaled my portobello panini and quickly marched back down Main St., back to Magpie.
They’ve been open since December 2009 but, since that portion of Main St. has been closed for what feels like a freakin’ decade, I had no idea — nor did Unilocal,apparently — that this place existed. Inside, it’s tidy, inviting, and chalk full of beautiful clothes and perfect gifts and various and sundry objets d’art.
As aforementioned, there are the beautiful dresses — light, flowing, sleeveless, strapless: so perfect for summer! — t-​shirts, high-​end denim, shoes, jewelry, some perfumes and lotions and things, a smattering of home goods, and a ton of really cool scarves. I noticed BCBG, Alternative Apparel (my second favorite tees next to American Apparel), and Akiko clothing, shoes from Cavage and Re-​Mix, Earnest Sewn jeans, and Beautea skincare products.
I asked if they had pillboxes or business card holders (really specific requests because I’m a weirdo), neither of which they did, but the shopkeeper referred me to Cozy on Ninth — which I also need to visit — which I found incredibly helpful. I told her I’d be back after I told everyone on Unilocal about this place, and I will. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because, as much as I love the clothing and shoes here, I can’t wear any of it. And that’s not even Magpie’s fault: it’s the K. Family Curse: size eleven feet and size fourteen hips, not to mention the fact that I’m a few inches taller than the average man. Le sigh. But, dear scarves, I’ll be back for you; I promise I will.