Shopping, Buenos Aires Style
A retail excursion through Argentina’s capital reveals upscale boutiques, cutting-edge fashion, interior design shops and those famous leather goods.
Calling Buenos Aires the “Paris of South America” is a cliché, but the city’s stylish residents know that it’s true. No other South American city lays claim to a larger number of options for those looking to shop, from hip boutiques by emerging fashion designers to posh couturier salons, interior design stores and jewellery galleries. Then there are the places specialising in shoes—tango heels, handmade leather boots and butter-soft loafers. Here are some our favourite addresses.
Start shopping: The Recoleta
Comme il Faut
Arenales 1239, Door 3, Apt. M, Rues des Artisans; 54 11/4815-5690
This tango shoe showroom, located in a picturesque shopping arcade, is a favourite of the city’s best dancers, but even someone with two left feet can appreciate owner Alicia Muñiz’s designs.
DeMaria
Libertad 1655; 54 11/4815-5001
Porteños flock to local designer María Conorti’s shoe shop on Libertad Street for well-made, stylish footwear, from demure tiger-stripe ballet flats to preppy patent leather ones that riff on saddle shoes. There’s also an impressive selection of handbags.
Pérez Sanz
Posadas 1477; 54 11/4815-9190
Julio Pérez Sanz is a noted architect, sculptor and creative jack of all trades. We’re particularly keen on his jewellery designs, well displayed at this two-storey shop. Those looking to delve further into the vida Pérez Sanz can check out the tabletop pieces at his interiors shop just down the street.
Tramando
Rodriguez Peña 1973; 54 11/4811-0465
Designer Martín Churba bridges the divide between avant-garde and wearable with sexy pieces that play around with textures and finishes. The designer put just as much panache into the design of his shop.
High fashion in Palermo Viejo
Bolivia
Gurruchaga 1581; 54 11/ 4832-6284
This hip boutique eschews the old-fashioned tweed look in favour of military-style jackets, dress shirts in fun prints and dark wash jeans.
Cora Groppo
El Salvador 4696; 54 11/4833-7474
Designer Cora Groppo’s minimalist boutique is where BA’s urban warriors shop. The garments are edgy, but Groppo’s proficiency with drapery gives them a soft, accessible feel.
Vintage finds in San Telmo
Gil Antigüedades
Humberto I 412; 54 11/4361-5019
This cosy shop overflows with crystal tumblers, old-time toys, Art Deco vases and antique jewellery. The shop’s best offering is its extensive collection of vintage clothing and Argentine textiles. For wedding dresses and accessories, pay a visit to Gil’s nearby Estados Unidos Street shop.
The goods in Microcentro
Autoría BsAs
Suipacha 1025; 54 11/5252-2474
Part boutique, part contemporary art gallery and part lifestyle shop, Autoría is creative fusion at its best, courtesy of some of BA’s top emerging designers and artists such as Vicki Otero and Min Agostini.
The best leather: Villa Crespo
Murillo 666
Murillo 666; 54 11/4856-4501
This is the largest leather emporium on Calle Murillo. Besides the seemingly endless selection of jackets for men and women, it has the largest furniture showroom in the district. The shop does excellent work, and the leather goods are of top quality.
