Fall is officially upon us, and while we may no longer be heading back to school, some wardrobe updates are necessary as the seasons change. Whether your favorite cardigan sweater is looking a little tattered from last season, or your best pair of boots are suffering from major scuffs, you’re probably going to be heading out for some new digs.
But why go it alone? Here in Boston, we have an impressive lineup of locally spun apps that are meant to make the shopping experience easier and less stress-inducing – because no one likes to shop when they’re cranky. From apps that will send deals and promos to your phone in-store, to those that will track the Internet for coupons after you scan a barcode, these retail apps are going to come in handy.
Boutikey
If you love shopping at Boston boutiques, you’ll need Boutikey. The app’s Instagram-like feed shows off the latest styles and trends at area shops, as well as provides the only platform for rewards and promotions for shopping boutiques. Scroll through Boutikey to find out which stores near you are housing your next must-have item. Don’t feel like leaving the house? Boutikey’s e-commerce site is now live, and it brings together items from multiple boutiques online.
Date My Wardrobe
Got a big night out coming up, but don’t want to invest in a new pair of heels or a dress? Date My Wardrobe helps financially savvy shoppers rent from the closets of women in their area by creating “digital wardrobes” and facilitating exchanges. And just this month, the site’s mobile app launched, making the experience even easier. And while currently, you can only loan out or rent shoes through the app, expect to see clothing and handbags in the digital wardrobes, too.
Swirl
Boston’s beacon technology app Swirl is the best way to get exclusive deals, content and more delivered directly to your phone as you’re shopping. Participating retailers include Lord & Taylor, Alex and Ani, Kenneth Cole and more local shops. Download the app and you’ll get access to location-targeted promotions when you step inside a store.
Savione
Savione is perfect for those out and about who want the full experience: The app culls all of the boutique shops, eateries and farmers markets nearby. Users can also “window shop” for products in-store, as well as find out if a particular store is running any promotion. Savione also has a community member feature that lets insiders share their tips and experiences while shopping and dining local.
PoachIt
While PoachIt is now based in New York City, the shopping tool and app got its start here at Tufts. When you install PoachIt on your browser, you can search for existing coupons on any e-commerce site with the click of a button, or track the price of an item to see if it’s knocked down. On the app, PoachIt users can scan a barcode on any item in a store, and if it exists online, PoachIt can search for coupons or track the price. Never feel buyer’s remorse after realizing you could have waited a few days to score something on sale again.
ShopAdvisor
Similar to PoachIt, ShopAdvisor (which is a product of Boston-based company Evoqu) can find an item through search or barcode scan and give you the reviews, pricing history and availability, as well as notify you when a price drops. Think of it as a digital shopping wish list that can also save you money.
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