Savvy Shopper

There are several things that make Savvy uncomfortable: Men who leave the bathroom door open, plates being scraped at the table (why, Ugg-wearing girl at Vino Rosina, why?!) and people over a certain age describing anything as “dope.” And that was exactly the predicament Savvy found herself in while shopping at PEDX. While she’s old enough to remember Insane Clown Posse before YouTube, she’s fairly sure she doesn’t totally get skate-meets-urban labels like Mishka and RockSmith. That said, she was intrigued by their modern takes on classics (heart the cool toggle jacket and the modern puffy vest). If your teen/significant-other-in-a-midlife crisis knows Actual Pain, Krink and Married to the Mob are brands and not bands, this is their dope hang. Word to your mother. Don’t miss: The collection of vintage team hats. 1715/1707 Aliceanna St., 410-276-0038

Savvy always loves those pages in magazines where they challenge someone like Rachel Zoe to put together a smashing outfit, pulling only pieces under $100 (you can practically hear the stylist sighing in your head, like someone just asked them to scale Everest in Atwoods). Yes, the look ends up somewhat cute (and inevitably “perfect for a Saturday of running errands”) but nothing you immediately want to jump online and snag. But now imagine that page is a whole store. And the whole outfit is under $100. And you actually want it. Welcome to Hanger Alley. Have you heard of the lines? Not really. Is the jewelry from some emerging designer? No. But Savvy found a perfect, all-season belted dress that seamlessly goes from work to cocktails, then paired it with a chain and stone necklace, all for $75. Really— she could have added earrings and still been under budget. Hanger Alley feels like that store in Queens where every editorial assistant at Lucky can afford to pay retail (yes, even fashionista twentysomethings max out on sample sale insanity). To borrow a Rachel phrase, “Loves it!”  Don’t miss: The travel candles and triple-milled vegetable soaps from TokyoMilk.  2007 Fleet St., 301-485-9544

Here’s Savvy’s favorite cautionary Valentine’s Day lingerie tale: She was in Victoria’s Secret and noticed a very prominent Baltimore businessman picking up a sassy little bra and panty present. How sweet, she thought. Then she saw him pick up a second set in another size. That naughty rascal had figured out that if you get your wife and your mistress the same thing, you can’t get snagged by being spotted in a store you shouldn’t be in or confronted with a receipt you can’t cough up the goods for. Oh how clever! It was then that Savvy realized that having a taste for very special, very limited lingerie might have advantages she hadn’t considered. Polina’s Prive stocks exclusive lines like Mimi Holiday (love the retro designs and pure silk) from England, Blush from France (such great prices, even with the Euro bounding back) and Nikol Djumon (with pretty, supportive styles up to a 38E, not that Savvy has such concerns) from Latvia, none of which can be found at the mall and all guaranteed to keep your favorite CEO happy at home. Take that, tarts! Don’t miss: The pieces from Body Wrap, the sexiest shapewear Sav has ever seen. No more having to duck into the ladies room to shove your Spanx in your purse, girls! 1706 Aliceanna St., 410-276-0205