Shopping in Buenos Aires

Shopping in Buenos Aires
The city is a study in contrasts when it comes to shopping. Buenos Aires is at once thoroughly modern, showcasing the designs of internationally renowned clothing and accessories designers, while also staying true to the traditional arts of its native population. This dual personality is a bonus for shoppers, who can pick up the latest fashions while also eliciting envy from friends back home over their new Inca-stone jewelry.

Like many cosmopolitan cities, Buenos Aires has different areas that are known for offering different types of products. Looking for world-class clothes shopping? Haute couture is the name of the game in the stylish Recoleta neighbourhood. Full of all sorts of upscale pursuits, you can’t go wrong with the chic boutiques on Avenida Alvear and Calle Quintana. Is vintage on your list? El Centro has plenty of vintage stores, as well clothing that would be appropriate for clubs and discos.

Shopping malls, known as galerias, are thriving in the city. Not surprisingly, La Recoleta houses the most upscale galeria, Patio Bullrich, which brings together a collection of Argentina’s most famous boutiques. Perilously fashionable shoes can be found at Ricky Sarkany, Etiqueta Negra is the destination for chic menswear, and Jessica Trosman brings her signature beadwork to the mall as well. International stores like Maxmara and Lacroix also have stores inside Patio Bullrich. Galerias Pacifico in El Centro is another up-market shopping mall. The beautiful building hosts shops favouring Argentina’s great designers, as well as an art gallery that has exhibited the works of greats including Dali.

High Fashion Discoveries
Cat Ballou in La Recoleta caters to shoppers who prefer the timeless glamour of 1940s celebrities. You’ll find everything from body-hugging satin dresses to sophisticated accessories, as well as home goods such as sofas that you can utilize to make your house as sensational as your closet. Un Lugar En El Mundo is a hip, eclectic shop in San Telmo where you can pick up women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, bags, and other accessories. Humawaca is synonymous with upscale leather goods in Buenos Aires, and the new shop in Palermo brings these pricey pieces to the wealthy masses. Martín Churba is another well-known local name, the textile king who has conquered America and Japan with his eye-catching clothing. His La Recoleta boutique is a must for fashionistas. 

Artistic Finds
Braga Menendez in Palermo is the work of one woman—Florencia Braga Menendez—who has created a much-talked-about independent collection gaining popularity with buyers from around the world. Daniel Maman Fine Art is another Palermo find where you simply have to trust the man behind the seeming mish-mash of art. From erotica to extremely avant-garde works, you’ll find a little bit of everything here, but it’s achieved remarkable success. The most important modern art museums the world over have purchased pieces for their collections. An homage to native art, Arte y Diseno de la Pampa in San Telmo features the work of two artists who collaborate on a variety of home décor items (think photo frames) as well as sculptures created through a method resembling papier-mâché.

Accessory Heaven
When shopping for jewelry in Buenos Aires, make sure to spend some time browsing items that represent Argentina—most notably any kind of silver jewelry and the “rose of the Inca, a semi-precious gem that’s found in shades ranging from light pink to red. One of the best places to find unique jewelry based on native Argentine designs is Nativa Plata at the Galeria del Sol. Lots of Hollywood stars have discovered this store’s amazing silver necklaces and earrings, as well as pieces made from turquoise and other semi-precious stones. Zanotti, located in the Alvear Palace Hotel in La Recoleta, is for lovers of traditional opulence. Be prepared to part with lots of cash to collect some of their diamond and gemstone pieces, as well as some of the country’s finest silver work.

The ultimate destination for accessories fit for a king (or queen) is La Merceria in Palermo. You may not emerge for hours from this luxurious shop whose shelves are lined with everything you need to accessorize from head to toe: buttery soft leather gloves, light-as-a-feather scarves, and a variety of trimmings that you can use to dress up any piece of clothing or item of décor.

Dress Your Home
The exceptional weavings stocked at Tierra Adentro in El Centro, created by native Argentinean craftspeople for this fair-trade store, make up the bulk of the shop’s offerings, though get-noticed turquoise and silver jewelry can be found here as well. One step inside Milagros, and your inner girlie-girl will want to come out and play. The ultra-feminine designs highlighted on the huge array of cups, teapots, decorative accessories such as bedcovers and cushions, and furnishings like chandeliers will make you rethink your current décor. If Bauhaus-style furnishings are your taste, you’ll love Gropius 1920-2000 in Palermo. Mies van de Rohe would feel right at home in this unique shop, which stocks uncanny reproductions of some of last century’s most talked-about designers.

Neighbourhood Markets
There’s nothing like a local market to help you connect with a holiday destination, and Buenos Aires is teeming with great choices. As open-air markets go, the Feria de Artesanias de Belgrano is a chic one. It’s the perfect place to pick up Argentina’s must-have goods, including Alpaca items, ponchos, and leather shoes. It’s always hopping at the Feria de San Pedro Telmo, the city’s most popular market. Antiques and collectibles fill the booths, while tango dancers keep the crowds entertained. Feria Modelo de Belgrano is an indoor food market that makes gourmands drool. Pick up the ingredients for your next meal—like lamb, fish, and produce—or simply grab a delectable snack such as the gloriously diverse cheeses.