Joan Shepp Boutique

The sales associates who work here could use a crash course in customer service. I stopped in on Sunday and had a really lackluster experience. I was in the mood to shop and I love a good sale. I decided to pop into Joan Shepp and the whole experience was just meh. I don’t come here often because I have always felt unwelcome. Sunday was no different. I browsed the sale section and asked the sales associate a few questions. Her tone was a bit condescending. Maybe this is why your store was empty? She stared hard at my wedding/​engagement rings as well. It was snowing so I was wearing a parka. Maybe I didn’t look the part in her opinion. I don’t think I’ll ever step foot in this place again.

The new space is dynamite, and has a beautiful courtyard. Joan and her salesforce have «curated» the most lovely clothing, bags, shoes, jewelry from some of the finest labels in the world. It’s almost like going to an art museum just to see the lovelies… I will say that they’ve kind of «dropped» some of their mid-​ranged labels for high end stuff. So shopping here has been less frequent and more of a «splurge» for me. But that’s fine. When you go there, it’s tremendously chic, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Went this passed Sunday, basically looking for the men’s section. The selection is pretty small but has Y3 shoes and clothes, probably the only store in Philly that does, and an interesting pick of international stuff, nothing really my style though. I went looking for the Yeezy line, figured this was the only store in Philly that might have it, but no luck. The sales people were very friendly when we asked about it, I talked to a tall guy in a big black hoodie and a younger Asian woman, both dressed cool and very friendly and helpful, they let me know Y3 would be back for spring so ill check it out.
Women definitely have it better, with a much bigger variety, but it’s still a cool store to look around in otherwise, nothing really like it in Philly. I think they could do more men’s street brands (Pigalle, Supreme maybe) but I think women seem to be the focus here. Still, a cool store, very friendly staff, definitely worth a look, it’s like a museum almost.

Ellen, Joan’s daughter, is so unbelievably rude.
Everyone in the neighborhood agrees.
It’s so off putting.
Such a shame.
Every time I try to shop at the store she ignores me completely. She’s even looked me dead in the eye expressionless as I said hello. I’ve shared this experience with others in the Rittenhouse neighborhood and I’ve heard similar accounts. It’s probably the worst customer service I’ve ever experienced and for a high end boutique I expect a lot more — especially from the owners daughter (or co-​owner, whatever she is).

Joan’s new space is absolutely stunning. Huge store with a wide assortment of different fashion finds for every aesthetic. Everyone at the store was very knowledgeable of the brands and extremely welcoming.
Also– the garden in the back is breath-​taking. There are tables and chairs to sit and beautiful fresh flowers all around; unlike any other shopping experience in Philadelphia.

I had previously looked around JS and was impressed with the selection of avant-​garde designers. Recently, I purchased a pair of Margiela boots. After arriving home, I noticed they were supposed to be discounted by $ 200 but I was charged full price. I figured it was an honest mistake.
I returned to the boutique two days later and explained the situation. The manager immediately acknowledged that they were indeed supposed to be discounted. She promptly refunded the amount and apologized.
I would definitely recommend this boutique for lovers of fashion, particularly those with a more experimental taste. The employees I’ve encountered were all friendly and helpful, and even when a mistake was made it was quickly resolved without any problems. Great selection that’s carefully curated with helpful staff.

Very high end clothing in an incredible interesting new store. The people working there are nice but the owner is overly pushy and annoying

Joan Shepp is the most fashion-​forward boutique in town and a worthy successor to the long-​gone Nan Duskin and Toby Lerner shops. Still miss them after all these years, but I digress.
Joan’s well-​curated offerings span the gamut from the solidly avant garde like Rick Owens and Yohji Yamomoto to the somewhat more restrained designs of Phillip Lim to simple layering pieces. This is unmistakably a high end boutique, but one can find lovely pieces at reasonable price points, too. There is nothing wrong with being Holly Golightly at Joan Shepp, drawing inspiration from the beautiful offerings while hoping for a day when price is no object. It will come! I fondly recall enjoying my morning brew in front of the Walnut Street location’s big picture window before the store opened and having that very dream…
With a single long-​standing exception (for 15 years, I have just cut a wide path around one miserable salesperson) I have always found the sales personnel to be incredibly solicitous and pleasant.
The stunning new store fondly echoes Kirne Zabete, another one of my NY favs.
If more Philadelphians wore Joan’s clothing and fewer wore the «I have given up» offerings of Talbot’s and Chico’s, Philadelphia might someday land on a stylish city list. Let’s break up the monotony, people!

I have shopped here 5 – 6 times in the last three years, and have bought some memorable items, including a McQueen coat and a balenciaga bag. However, I was turned off during my last experience when a sales associate I don’t normally work with but am familiar with, said «wow. You’re spoiled rotten» when I responded to her comment about my purse with a simple «thank you.» Not sure if it was her way of breaking the ice, but I wasn’t in the mood to spend upwards of 500 $ after that.