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Seattleites are sometimes scorned for their fashion sense (polar fleece, sport sandals, and socks—oh my!), but as the city has grown and enough money has percolated through the ranks of retail, the city's style barometer has made a steady creep upward. Bibliophiles, foodies, wine aficionados, and design-centrists will also find plenty of shopping opportunities—Seattle is a hotbed of unique, independent shops stocking one-of-a-kind treasures.
Shopping in Seattle is something best done gradually. Don't expect to find it all in one or two days worth of blitz shopping tours. Downtown is the only area that allows for easy daylong shopping excursions. Within a few blocks along 4th and 5th Avenues, you'll find the standard chains (The Gap, Urban Outfitters, H&M, Anthropologie, Sephora, Old Navy), along with Nike's flagship store, and a few more glamorous high-end stores, some featuring well-known designers like Gucci . Downtown is also where you'll find department stores like Nordstrom, Macy's, and Barneys New York. Belltown and Pioneer Square are also easy areas to patrol—most stores of note are within a few blocks.
To find many of the stores that are truly special to Seattle—such as boutiques featuring handmade frocks from local designers, independent record stores run by encyclopedic-minded music geeks, cozy used-book shops that smell of paper and worn wood shelves—you'll have to branch out to Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and northern neighborhoods like Ballard. Shopping these areas will give you a better feel for the character of the city and its quirky inhabitants, all while you score that new dress or nab gifts for your friends.
And don’t forget about Seattle’s culinary bounty, which includes the stalls at Pike Place Market; the flagship Sur La Table, which stocks every kitchen gadget known to man; and the city’s various weekly farmers' markets, where you’ll find enough locally made, artisanal offerings to fill a suitcase or two.
It seems every Seattle neighborhood has its beloved bookstore, and Queen Anne’s favorite is no exception. The selection is thoughtfully curated, blending popular titles with unexpected finds, and the well-read staff love talking books. They shine in their recommendations for kids’ titles and regional reads. Even better, the shop is attached to Queen Anne Coffee Co., so you can grab a latte, settle onto the patio, and dive right into your new purchase.
This dual-purpose shop is a gem for visitors. It doubles as a charming boutique—stocked with locally made women’s fashion, jewelry, and gifts—and a shipping store, so you can browse for souvenirs and send them home in one stop (or get a little shopping in while mailing treasures you picked up elsewhere).
Stocking cool but comfortable women's and men's shoes from Karhu, Clae, Miz Mooz, and the like, this hip space offers a small selection of crazy fashionable boots, shoes, sneaks, and high heels. In keeping with the "little bit of everything" trend popular with Seattle boutiques, re-souL also sells great jewelry pieces, accessories, and some clothes. Everything is a bit pricey, but not excessively so, and the service earns the price tag.
Nostalgia rules in this cavernous space filled with well-organized, good-quality (and sometimes pricey) vintage and new clothing. Fantasy outfits from decades past—complete with accessories—adorn the dressing rooms. It's a go-to spot for stylists and thrifters. Fun fact: this funky shop was one of the locations in Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” video.
The enormous flagship for Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) has a vast selection of outdoor gear from polar-fleece jackets, wool socks, down vests, hiking boots, to rain gear, and much more. The staff is knowledgeable and eager to help. REI also rents gear such as tents, sleeping bags, skis, snowshoes, and backpacks.
Vintage shopping meets modern style in this consignment shop. Mixing used women's clothing with a collection of jewelry and art from local designers and other miscellaneous items, the store winds up with just the kind of eclectic collection that feels curated enough not to be slogging through junk, but haphazard enough to feel like your next treasure could be right in front of you.
Whether you're a novice or expert, you'll appreciate the authentic offerings here. The shop and tasting bar, specializing in premium rice wines, is open 2–8 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Don't be shy—have a seat, try a few of the rotating samples, and ask a lot of questions. Sake can be served up in a variety of temperatures and styles.
Antique lovers should not miss this market. A funky warehouse offers everything from vintage furniture to gemstones, magazines, clothes, and bicycles, with an unmistakable charm that keeps Seattleites coming back. Parking is tricky, so if you are already shopping in Pike Place Market or visiting the Aquarium, we recommend soaking up the fresh salty breeze and walking to this hidden gem.
The experience here is as enriching as the tea itself. Helpful staff will walk you through the selection of oolong, pouchong, jasmine, and green teas. All the teas are available to try, and you can pick up a cute teapot while you're at it. They also offer bubble tea and ice cream (in tea flavors, of course).
Named after the Francis Hodgson Burnett classic, this cozy shop has delighted readers for decades. It stocks a wide array of imaginative literature and thoughtful nonfiction for all ages, but their children's section is particularly noteworthy.
If you have some serious cash to burn, the sleek, upscale Bravern might be the Eastside spot for you. With high-end shops like Moncler, Hermès, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Leica, it's tempting to empty your wallet—but save room for a spa treatment at the Gene Juarez Salon & Spa or a meal at luxury Chinese hot-pot spot the Dolar Shop. Valet and complimentary parking (with validation) are available.
If punk rock still means more to you than an anarchy patch on a Target hoodie, this place deserves a pilgrimage. The shop specializes in punk and its offshoots, everything from hardcore to ska, on both CD and vinyl, but you’ll also find a solid selection of rockabilly, indie rock, and hip-hop.
Need a brass-plated medieval French duck press? You've come to the right place. Culinary artists and foodies have flocked to this popular Pike Place Market destination since 1972. The chain's flagship shop is packed to the rafters with thousands of kitchen items, including an exclusive line of copper cookware, endless shelves of baking equipment, tabletop accessories, cookbooks, and a formidable display of knives. There's also a small selection of specialty ingredients.
When you're ready for a break from sightseeing, make a detour into this relaxing tasting room and wine store in the northern end of Post Alley. Several Washington State boutique wineries are represented; most of the bottles are handcrafted and/or reserve vintages. Taste the offerings, then buy a bottle or two—you can sit and enjoy your pick in the wine bar without paying for corkage.
First opened as "La Buona Tavola" in 2003, this family-run space grew out of a passion for truffles and adding a touch of gourmet to the everyday. As the name suggests, this Pike Place shop specializes in all things truffle: salts, oils, honey, and even truffle-infused brittle, as well as balsamics and a few other specialty food items. Truffle Queen also stocks hand-selected wines from Italy and Washington from small wineries, which are available for tastings, glass pours, and bottles to take home.
Offering an art-forward take on gems and jewelry in a spacious contemporary gallery, Turgeon Raine employs only staff with a design background—you can work with them to create a one-of-a-kind piece, or pick from house-made items on display. It's also Washington's exclusive representative for Patek Philippe watches.
It's hard to miss this excellent used-book store: simply look for the six-foot neon Cheshire cat waving his tail. Inside, you'll find lots more kitties winding their way through the maze of stacks. The specialties here are rare books and out-of-print treasures, but they've got a smattering of everything.
UW's bookstore sells the requisite textbooks in the basement, but that's just part of it's identity. Upstairs, the well-stocked general book department (run by Barnes & Noble) is the site of author events throughout the year, and there's every imaginable type of Huskies memorabilia, from sweatshirts to mouse pads to shot glasses.
One of the country's longest-running farmers' markets and Seattle's largest "farmers only" market (no crafts, imports, or flea-market finds) operates year-round on Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm in the heart of the U-District, rain or shine. With more than 50 Washington State farmers and producers participating, you'll find a great selection of produce, baked goods, preserves, flowers, cheese, soups, pies, wines, pasta, and handmade chocolates.
This upscale, open-air mall has "University" in its name because of its location, northeast of the UW campus, but you won't see a lot of students here. Clientele are mainly residents of the well-to-do surrounding neighborhoods, drawn by a long list of familiar chains (Williams-Sonoma, Banana Republic, L'Occitane, Sephora, Warby Parker, H&M, Madewell, Apple, Anthropologie, Kiehl's) mixed with some local favorites (including candy wonderland The Confectionery and artsy gift shop Fireworks). There are also good dining options, including the enormously popular international dumpling chain Din Tai Fung. Overall, it's a pleasant shopping experience, but a bit conventional by Seattle standards and a whole different world from the rest of the U-District.
Venue is the chic version of the Made In Washington stores. You won't find the usual souvenirs here, only goods made by local artists (some of whom have their studios in the sleek bilevel space). Watch the designers at work, chat with the staff (most are artists taking shifts), or just browse through artisanal chocolates, custom handbags, handmade soaps, baby wear, and colorful prints and mosaics.
If you're on the hunt for Japanese avant-rock on LP, antiwar spoken word, spiritual reggae with Afro-jazz undertones, or old screen-printed show posters, you've found the place. They carry new and used CDs and LPs of all sorts, specializing in the kinds of things you probably won't find anywhere else.
This small store in the courtyard of the Inn at the Market is worth a visit just for how heavenly it smells. With a lovely line of artisanal jewelry, luxurious bath products, and enticing—and often aromatic—gifts, it makes for a relaxing stop in the Pike Place tour. A standout favorite is Seattle-based fragrance brand Antica Farmacista—you'll want every scent of their luxury reed diffusers. Watson Kennedy's sister store ( 1022 1st Ave.) includes vintage furniture, tableware, gourmet foods, and its own line of beeswax candles.
Wonderland Gear Exchange is like REI meets that cool used records store. The outdoor clothing and equipment consignment shop aims to make it easier and more affordable to get out into the amazing nature that surrounds Seattle. They keep high standards, so everything is relatively recent, in good (and, importantly, safe) shape, and it ranges from kids' fleece booties to e-bikes and so much more. A must-stop for anyone with an outdoor adventure in their future, but also for a good deal on some snazzy rain boots when the weather turns.
Taking cues from the neighborhood's Nordic roots, this boutique embraces the minimalist mindset of modern Scandinavian design. High-quality and timeless home goods, art in mostly neutral tones, and useful gifts fill the shelves. And the staff also has a friendly (and nonaggressive) Scandinavian sensibility, making shopping a delightful and calming experience.
Many of the city's best chefs get their herbs, spices, and salts at this aromatic shop under Pike Place Market. From Middle Eastern, Asian, Italian, and Pacific Northwest–inspired blends, to cinnamon, paprika, and chilis from around the world, home chefs will be in heaven here.
Try the cupcake of the month or flavors like the peppermint patty and the tiramisu, made with Stumptown coffee.
Before you buy a teenage relative—or anyone else for that matter—an oversize T-shirt that says "Seattle!" head up to Fremont's Destee-Nation for one that's a lot more distinctive.
