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Buried under its reputation for live music and food trucks, Austin quietly hosts some amazing independent shops. The Texas state capital's unsung shopping scene is as varied and adventurous as its reputation for music and food; blending high with low and vintage with modern for unexpected, but delightful, retail settings.
We shopped our way though boutiques, record shops, book stores, antique collectives, and more to bring you the 13 must-visit shopping experiences in Austin.
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So much more than books, this shop is an absolute must-visit for its rotating concept spaces. The store includes a clothing (new, indie designers and good vintage), a gallery, a coffee shop, a pop-up space, and — of course — books, most of which are of the art variety, from 'zines to coffee table tomes.
The SoCo (South Congress, for the uninitiated) location of this designer-centric boutique leans a little younger and hipper than the flagship across town, with corresponding price tags. Find Opening Ceremony dresses, Xirena swimsuits, a neat shoe selection, plus kids, mens, and home goods. While you're there, pop in to the Kendra Scott flagship in the same complex, and men's shop Stag across the street.
Browse the finds of 24 different antique sellers under one roof — everything from vintage political pins to one-of-a-kind furniture to taxidermy — at this 25-year-old emporium.
Located inside the almost too-cool South Congress Hotel is this equally impressive boutique. There's a great swimwear selection in addition to womenswear, shoes, and jewelry, all from designers you probably haven't heard of yet but will be obsessed with soon.
The luxury department store is headquartered in Texas, which is why some of its best markdowns get corralled to this particular location of Last Call. It's massive, so definitely allot a good amount of time for browsing the ever-changing, always discounted stock — it's worth it.
There is a lot of vintage to dig through in Austin. Feathers cuts out some of that work by stocking an unbelievable selection of clothing you actually want (501s, suede from the '70s, dreamy dresses) alongside a growing in-house collection of original designers worth checking out.
Designed in Austin and produced in Dallas, Esby's neutral, airy clothing will completely retool what you think about "Texan fashion." The store opens like a garage, creating a mellow, sun-soaked shopping experience. Eat at Elizabeth Street Café around the corner to continue the pleasant vibes.
Neck and neck with By George, this is where you'll find the healthiest selection of designer names in Austin, like Acne Studios, Lemaire, and MM6. The Kick Pleat edit is all neutral hues and breezy silhouettes, plus up-and-comers like Black Crane and Caron Callahan. The shoe section is small but mighty.
Fun colors and prints can be found throughout Olive's merchandise, which spans jewelry, home, and beauty in addition to womenswear, shoes, and bags. You'll find all the cool, contemporary brands (Loeffler Randall, Objects Without Meaning, Baggu, and so on) plus a solid selection of vintage. Check out neighboring Charm School Vintage while you're there.
If record shopping is your goal, beeline to End of an Ear. You'll find new releases and classics on vinyl, a selection of 45s, and a format that somehow feels more vintage than both: CDs.
This gorgeous shop is heavy on home goods including artful plant pots and colorful vintage blankets, plus a nice apothecary section as well. Stop by Spartan neighbor JM Dry Goods for even more home shopping.
Flip through racks and racks of killer designer consignment at Moss. The clothes and accessories are thoughtfully curated and the space is clean and bright, making for a seriously upgraded consignment shopping experience.
Hip activewear brand Outdoor Voices has its own boutique in Austin, tucked inside a hyper-cute bungalow (the brand's only other store is located in downtown Manhattan). Try on its famous 10 panel leggings, as well as every other piece in the OV collection, and bask in the general coolness of it all.
So much more than books, this shop is an absolute must-visit for its rotating concept spaces. The store includes a clothing (new, indie designers and good vintage), a gallery, a coffee shop, a pop-up space, and — of course — books, most of which are of the art variety, from 'zines to coffee table tomes.
The SoCo (South Congress, for the uninitiated) location of this designer-centric boutique leans a little younger and hipper than the flagship across town, with corresponding price tags. Find Opening Ceremony dresses, Xirena swimsuits, a neat shoe selection, plus kids, mens, and home goods. While you're there, pop in to the Kendra Scott flagship in the same complex, and men's shop Stag across the street.
Browse the finds of 24 different antique sellers under one roof — everything from vintage political pins to one-of-a-kind furniture to taxidermy — at this 25-year-old emporium.
Located inside the almost too-cool South Congress Hotel is this equally impressive boutique. There's a great swimwear selection in addition to womenswear, shoes, and jewelry, all from designers you probably haven't heard of yet but will be obsessed with soon.
The luxury department store is headquartered in Texas, which is why some of its best markdowns get corralled to this particular location of Last Call. It's massive, so definitely allot a good amount of time for browsing the ever-changing, always discounted stock — it's worth it.
There is a lot of vintage to dig through in Austin. Feathers cuts out some of that work by stocking an unbelievable selection of clothing you actually want (501s, suede from the '70s, dreamy dresses) alongside a growing in-house collection of original designers worth checking out.
Designed in Austin and produced in Dallas, Esby's neutral, airy clothing will completely retool what you think about "Texan fashion." The store opens like a garage, creating a mellow, sun-soaked shopping experience. Eat at Elizabeth Street Café around the corner to continue the pleasant vibes.
Neck and neck with By George, this is where you'll find the healthiest selection of designer names in Austin, like Acne Studios, Lemaire, and MM6. The Kick Pleat edit is all neutral hues and breezy silhouettes, plus up-and-comers like Black Crane and Caron Callahan. The shoe section is small but mighty.
Fun colors and prints can be found throughout Olive's merchandise, which spans jewelry, home, and beauty in addition to womenswear, shoes, and bags. You'll find all the cool, contemporary brands (Loeffler Randall, Objects Without Meaning, Baggu, and so on) plus a solid selection of vintage. Check out neighboring Charm School Vintage while you're there.
If record shopping is your goal, beeline to End of an Ear. You'll find new releases and classics on vinyl, a selection of 45s, and a format that somehow feels more vintage than both: CDs.
This gorgeous shop is heavy on home goods including artful plant pots and colorful vintage blankets, plus a nice apothecary section as well. Stop by Spartan neighbor JM Dry Goods for even more home shopping.
Flip through racks and racks of killer designer consignment at Moss. The clothes and accessories are thoughtfully curated and the space is clean and bright, making for a seriously upgraded consignment shopping experience.
Hip activewear brand Outdoor Voices has its own boutique in Austin, tucked inside a hyper-cute bungalow (the brand's only other store is located in downtown Manhattan). Try on its famous 10 panel leggings, as well as every other piece in the OV collection, and bask in the general coolness of it all.
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