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Where to Shop in Washington, DC

By Adele Chapin Jun 16, 2016, 5:03pm EDT

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By Adele Chapin Jun 16, 2016, 5:03pm EDT

Photo: R. Lopez

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

The DC shopping scene is better than ever. Over the past few years, the nation's capital has seen a steady influx of "cool" brands like Steven Alan, Warby Parker, Shinola, and Filson; meanwhile CityCenterDC is turning downtown Washington into a mini Rodeo Drive with new boutiques from Gucci, Dior, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton.

While the arrival of big names is proof that this city loves to shop, the best items — the things you can't get other places — are found in DC's many independent boutiques. To help you get straight to the diamonds in the rough (and dispel any assumptions about style, or lack thereof, in this Federal town), we rounded up 15 of our favorite vintage shops, designer boutiques, furniture stores, gift shops, and more.

Make sure to check them out for a taste of DC's fashionable and creative side — in between all those monuments and museums, of course.

This map was fact-checked and updated with relevant info on January 18, 2017.

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Salt & Sundry

14th Street’s dreamy Salt & Sundry is the place to go for elegant gifts and goods for entertaining, from marble cake plates to Turkish towels to locally made baby bibs. The original location is inside food hall Union Market in Northeast DC, another excellent spot to visit; both outposts have a whimsical, slightly southern vibe.

Open in Google Maps

1625 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Visit Website

Redeem

Redeem is the opposite of stereotypical Washington fashion, with an austere interior and a focus on edgy clothing in mostly black and neutral tones. The shop carries brands you can’t find everywhere, including Just Female, Collina Strada, Le Specs, and Won Hundred.

Open in Google Maps

1810 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Current Boutique

This consignment shop is where DC’s stylish residents drop their discards after Marie Kondo-ing their closets, which means you’ll find some designer gems. There’s an emphasis on office friendly clothes (this is Washington DC after all) with lots of options from DVF, Kate Spade, and Lilly Pullitzer.

Open in Google Maps

1809 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.

Visit Website

Meeps/Treasury

The owners of Meeps/Treasury know vintage, and this past year, they combined their two vintage shops under one roof in Adams Morgan. Shop everything from stone-washed jeans and Dolly Parton t-shirts to fascinators and vintage bathing suits. Also fun to dig through: the store’s collection of inexpensive vintage earrings and sunglasses.

Open in Google Maps

2104 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

GoodWood

Antique and vintage furniture are styled with knick knacks and curios at GoodWood on U Street, so you can imagine how they might look in your living room. You’ll also find vintage-inspired women’s clothing and beauty and apothecary products in the store’s vignettes.

Open in Google Maps

1428 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Miss Pixie's

Miss Pixie's on 14th Street in Logan Circle is an institution, and a jumble of funky, affordable furniture and ephemera. Head here if you happen to be in the market for vintage Boy Scout badges or a mid-century modern chest; even if you're just window-shopping, you can grab a free chocolate chip cookie.

Open in Google Maps

1626 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Hu's Shoes

Make two stops on M Street in Georgetown, first at Hu’s Shoes and then across the street at Hu’s Wear. The sister shops specialize in statement shoes, purses, accessories, and apparel from Balenciaga, Fendi, Valentino, Isabel Marant, Saint Laurent and more. Each store’s stock is artfully displayed and the sale sections are definitely worth perusing.

Open in Google Maps

3005 M St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Visit Website

Maketto

One of Washington’s hippest restaurants also happens to be a menswear boutique. The store’s stunning architecture really shows off its collection of streetwear, sneakers, and hats, including some from DC’s own brand Durkl. Don’t miss the coffee shop upstairs, which carries art books and fashion magazines.

1351 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Relish

Relish is a temple for high-end design. The airy Georgetown shop has stocked modern brands like Acne, Sacai, Dries Van Noten, and Jil Sander, plus other covetable items like fancy French candles.

Open in Google Maps

3312 Cady's Alley NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Visit Website

Violet Boutique

Violet Boutique has long been a DC go-to for on-trend, affordable womenswear, with most pieces ringing in under $100. The shop moved from Adams Morgan to spiffy new digs in Georgetown, complete with all-important neon signage, in 2016.

Open in Google Maps

3289 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Visit Website

Lynn Louisa

Womenswear boutique Lynn Louisa opened last year in Georgetown, and has become a fast favorite for easy basics like Ganni dresses, Anine Bing bralettes, and Frame denim. Bonus this week, there are plenty of winter gems in the sale section, from coats to sweaters.

Open in Google Maps

1631 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Visit Website

Tabletop

Dupont Circle's Tabletop stocks only the most fun gift-worthy item, from tattoo markers to panda-shaped pillows. It goes without saying that this is a great place for souvenirs. (The owners recently opened a second location in Takoma Park, too.)

Open in Google Maps

1608 20th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe

If you're an indie bookstore person, don't miss Dupont Circle institution Kramerbooks. Choose from political tomes and novels alike, then take your purchases to the adjoining cafe. If that’s not enough to satisfy your inner bookworm, Politics & Prose is another great stop.

1517 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Bishop Boutique

In charming Old Town Alexandria, duck into Bishop Boutique to add to your accessories collection. Shoes and purses are the main focus at this King Street store, which carries plenty of options from Loeffler Randall, Shutz, Rebecca Minkoff, and Kate Middleton favorite LK Bennett.

Open in Google Maps

815B King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Website

Bellacara

Bellacara has been keeping DC beautiful for over 15 years. The shop carries makeup and skincare products from brands like Kiehl’s, Bumble & Bumble, Dermalogica, Kevyn Aucoin, Vincent Longo, and many more.

Open in Google Maps

1000 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Website

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Salt & Sundry

1625 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

14th Street’s dreamy Salt & Sundry is the place to go for elegant gifts and goods for entertaining, from marble cake plates to Turkish towels to locally made baby bibs. The original location is inside food hall Union Market in Northeast DC, another excellent spot to visit; both outposts have a whimsical, slightly southern vibe.

Open in Google Maps

1625 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Visit Website

Redeem

1810 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Redeem is the opposite of stereotypical Washington fashion, with an austere interior and a focus on edgy clothing in mostly black and neutral tones. The shop carries brands you can’t find everywhere, including Just Female, Collina Strada, Le Specs, and Won Hundred.

Open in Google Maps

1810 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Current Boutique

1809 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.

This consignment shop is where DC’s stylish residents drop their discards after Marie Kondo-ing their closets, which means you’ll find some designer gems. There’s an emphasis on office friendly clothes (this is Washington DC after all) with lots of options from DVF, Kate Spade, and Lilly Pullitzer.

Open in Google Maps

1809 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.

Visit Website

Meeps/Treasury

2104 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

The owners of Meeps/Treasury know vintage, and this past year, they combined their two vintage shops under one roof in Adams Morgan. Shop everything from stone-washed jeans and Dolly Parton t-shirts to fascinators and vintage bathing suits. Also fun to dig through: the store’s collection of inexpensive vintage earrings and sunglasses.

Open in Google Maps

2104 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

GoodWood

1428 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Antique and vintage furniture are styled with knick knacks and curios at GoodWood on U Street, so you can imagine how they might look in your living room. You’ll also find vintage-inspired women’s clothing and beauty and apothecary products in the store’s vignettes.

Open in Google Maps

1428 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Miss Pixie's

1626 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Miss Pixie's on 14th Street in Logan Circle is an institution, and a jumble of funky, affordable furniture and ephemera. Head here if you happen to be in the market for vintage Boy Scout badges or a mid-century modern chest; even if you're just window-shopping, you can grab a free chocolate chip cookie.

Open in Google Maps

1626 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Hu's Shoes

3005 M St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Make two stops on M Street in Georgetown, first at Hu’s Shoes and then across the street at Hu’s Wear. The sister shops specialize in statement shoes, purses, accessories, and apparel from Balenciaga, Fendi, Valentino, Isabel Marant, Saint Laurent and more. Each store’s stock is artfully displayed and the sale sections are definitely worth perusing.

Open in Google Maps

3005 M St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Visit Website

Maketto

1351 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

One of Washington’s hippest restaurants also happens to be a menswear boutique. The store’s stunning architecture really shows off its collection of streetwear, sneakers, and hats, including some from DC’s own brand Durkl. Don’t miss the coffee shop upstairs, which carries art books and fashion magazines.

1351 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Relish

3312 Cady's Alley NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Relish is a temple for high-end design. The airy Georgetown shop has stocked modern brands like Acne, Sacai, Dries Van Noten, and Jil Sander, plus other covetable items like fancy French candles.

Open in Google Maps

3312 Cady's Alley NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Visit Website

Violet Boutique

3289 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Violet Boutique has long been a DC go-to for on-trend, affordable womenswear, with most pieces ringing in under $100. The shop moved from Adams Morgan to spiffy new digs in Georgetown, complete with all-important neon signage, in 2016.

Open in Google Maps

3289 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Visit Website

Lynn Louisa

1631 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Womenswear boutique Lynn Louisa opened last year in Georgetown, and has become a fast favorite for easy basics like Ganni dresses, Anine Bing bralettes, and Frame denim. Bonus this week, there are plenty of winter gems in the sale section, from coats to sweaters.

Open in Google Maps

1631 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Visit Website

Tabletop

1608 20th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Dupont Circle's Tabletop stocks only the most fun gift-worthy item, from tattoo markers to panda-shaped pillows. It goes without saying that this is a great place for souvenirs. (The owners recently opened a second location in Takoma Park, too.)

Open in Google Maps

1608 20th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe

1517 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

If you're an indie bookstore person, don't miss Dupont Circle institution Kramerbooks. Choose from political tomes and novels alike, then take your purchases to the adjoining cafe. If that’s not enough to satisfy your inner bookworm, Politics & Prose is another great stop.

1517 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Visit Website

Bishop Boutique

815B King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

In charming Old Town Alexandria, duck into Bishop Boutique to add to your accessories collection. Shoes and purses are the main focus at this King Street store, which carries plenty of options from Loeffler Randall, Shutz, Rebecca Minkoff, and Kate Middleton favorite LK Bennett.

Open in Google Maps

815B King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Website

Bellacara

1000 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Bellacara has been keeping DC beautiful for over 15 years. The shop carries makeup and skincare products from brands like Kiehl’s, Bumble & Bumble, Dermalogica, Kevyn Aucoin, Vincent Longo, and many more.

Open in Google Maps

1000 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit Website