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The city's true shopping experience dwells in its plethora of independently owned, unique boutiques. To get a real feel for the city, browse the funky stores along South Congress, the record shops on South First, or the vintage boutiques around North Loop. For something more upscale, visit the hip downtown storefronts of 2nd Street District and explore the high-end galleries, antiques, and home-furnishings emporia of the West 6th. Out in Northwest Austin and Round Rock, upscale shopping malls and outlet stores are plentiful.
This is not your average Austin clothing boutique. While you may find up-and-coming independent designers when perusing other store’s racks, ByGeorge’s inventory looks like a compilation of the season’s greatest high-fashion runway hits. At its two Austin locations, you’ll be smitten with extravagances like SUNO frocks, Givenchy dresses, and Helmut Lang and Derek Lam tailored trousers. Austin’s all about keeping things weird, but in this shop, chic wins every time.
Browse an excellent selection of hand-picked vintage and small-batch designer goods at this oh-so-charming East 11th Street boutique. You'll find plenty of Stevie Nicks–worthy caftans, rare couture gems, and a curio cabinet full of eccentric jewelry and statement pieces. An assortment of "apothecary" items, from face and body oils to incense and crystals, lend to its overall hippy-witchy aesthetic.
Blend in with the locals at this carefully curated boutique, featuring men's, women's, and children's vintage clothing, plus heaps of hats, sunglasses, shoes, and jewelry. The back room has full racks of unisex T-shirts, and there's a great selection of denim. Feathers, located next door, is another fun shop to pop into.
Sharp dressers take note: some of the coolest guys’ clothes and grooming products around are on display within the industrial-chic walls of Service. The open space has been designed to fit racks of tailored blue blazers, graphic tees, selvedge denim, and designer footwear and cases of rock-star Ray-Ban and Super sunglasses. If you find yourself without the right thing to wear on your travels to Austin, this is the place to fix that.
For guys who like that American-made look, search no further than this upscale boutique that's been named one of the top ten menswear stores in the country. Start with a pair of good-fitting denim—STAG stocks brands like imogene + willie and RRL—then move on to a flannel shirt, which come in endless color combinations here. Finish with a cool pair of Red Wing boots and accessorize from a selection of watches, wallets, and belts galore. Best yet? Once you’re dressed, Home Slice is next door, so you can grab some pizza on your way out.
