Shopping in Recoleta

If you are based in Recoleta when visiting Buenos Aires---either in one of the big Hotels or in a rented apartment--- there are plenty of stores in the area. A bit more upscale than their Palermo Viejo counterparts, stores here are usually expensive ---location is everything: Hermes and Louis Vuitton are found in the area so you know what to expect. For our well heeled readers, some tips below:

Tramando

Rodríguez Peña 1973 - phone 4811-0465

Owned by Martin Churba---a multitalented textile designer---the avant-garde clothes here are multicoloured and extremely cleverly designed. You will be amused by the intricately woven fabrics and the variety of materials used in the striking pieces on display.


Breeders

Posadas 1269 - phone 4815-6326

This small store is a good place if you are into some serious mink, fox and chinchilla furs. They can customized all their pieces for mena and women. Spectacular crocodile and lizard bags.


Evangelina Bomparola

Avenida Presidente Quintana 20 - phone 4814-2553

A small Recoleta shop that is full of cocktail dresses and unique evening gowns ---everything here is made of pure silk, wool, cashmere ---so you know you are getting just the best.


Arandu

Ayacucho 1924 - phone 4800-1575
A two-story shop selling all things Argentinian. From housewares---alpaca silver trays and mates--- to sporting goods made by artisans from the argentinian Northwest, the store definitely caters to aficionados of country style. Bags and boots are of very good quality, as well as the selction of hunting and polo gear displayed on the second floor. Amazing saddles.

Rapsodia

Patio Bullrich Shopping Mall - phone 4814-7458
The store showcases a feminine and romantic line of clothing: sweaters, sundresses and boots and a vast selection of jeans.

De Maria

Libertad 1655 - phone 4815-5001
Interesting shoe store displaying unique and creative numbers.


Celedonio
Castex 3225 - phone 4803-7598

A few minutes taxi ride from Recoleta, this great store--- where architect turned jewelry designer Celedonio Lohidoy sells ornate pieces made of moonstone, labradorite,baroque pearls and coral, along with some featuring feathers and wire--- is a haven in the chaos of the city. Take your time when choosing one of his designs. The intricate pieces are really magnificent. (Lohidoy also created the brand of toiletries found at the Duhau Hotel.)

After all this shopping we are sure your energy level already dropped, so head over to La Rambla---corner of Posadas and Ayacucho---for one of their famous lomitos completos (a sandwich you will never forget...). If the weather is nice, sit outside and relax... You know, sometimes life is so good!

Keep shopping in Buenos Aires...

After our first post about interesting shops in Buenos Aires, we have been contacted by several readers asking the same question: "Why didn't you write about my favorite shop...?" or "We found this place and is sooooo good..."

Therefore, we added these stores to the list:

For Women:

Santesteban

Galeria Promenade - Alvear Palace Hotel

First class shoes and bags in a small shop inside the Hotel Alvear (the most classic of all hotels in South America). Everybody who is somebody shops here (we wrote about this place here).We spotted their shoes at the last Fashion Week in New York.

Min Agostini

Libertad 1532 - phone 4813 0805

An Architect turned Fashion Designer, her clothes are extremely interesting in texture and shape. High quality and unbelievable craftsmanship. Her clothes sell in Buenos Aires, Europe and New York. She is one of the Designers showing her talent in Bryant Park for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2009 (read more here).

Pablo Ramirez

Peru 587 - phone 4342 7154

Elegant and timeless, mostly in black so new yorkers can shop with confidence: clothes will always be in style.

Juan Perez

Marcelo T. de Alvear 1441 - phone 4815 8442

Vintage at its best. A perfect place to get lost for hours, knowing you will fond something truly amazing. Convenient downtown location (clothes for men and women).

For men:

La Dolfina

Avenida Alvear 1315 - phone 4815 2698

This is a true polo lifestyle brand, discreet and high quality. Expensive. Another store in Galerias Pacifico Shopping Mall.

Guido

Avenida Quintana 333

Handmade and very conservative shoes of extremely good quality. Great gifts for dad (or grandpa).

More to come...Wait until our next post, because in Buenos Aires shopping never ends.

Shopping in Buenos Aires, Part 1

Shopping in Buenos Aires can be an intense experience. The city is big and there are thousands of stores spread out all over.

There are first class antiques and art shops, traditional silversmiths with Old World craftsmanship, polo clothing stores... You will find also design objects, avant-garde fashion and great shopping malls like in New York (Patio Bullrich, Paseo Alcorta, Galerias Pacifico...).
Wine stores, books and of course sweaters and leather goods are everywhere.

From knick-knacks to luxury, it could be an intense but also a fascinating experience. Casual and at the same time sophisticated.

For Women

Jessica Trosman

Avenida Libertador 750 (Recoleta) phone 4814 7411

The queen of fashion in Argentina is called Jessica Trosman. Young and very talented, a mix between a stylist and an intellectual, her place is the only way to go if you want to get a new look that marries tradition and innovation.

Aristocracia
Avenida Arguibel 2867 (Palermo) phone 4772 1144
Accessories, bags and clothes.
An elegant shop with impeccable service. Most of the objects of desire here are designed by Lucrecia Gamundi.

Bakú
Avenida Arguibel 2890 (Palermo) phone 4775 5570
Handbags, belts and leather goods along very particular jewelry made by local artisans. Everything here is reasonably priced.

Mandarine
Libertad 1146 (Recoleta) phone 4811 9840
Get ready for shopping, because this place has an almost infinite array of bags, belts, sandals, and leather boots in every possible shape and color. Everything is made by local artisans. They have two other stores in the city.

Del Buen Ayre
Bolívar 929 phone 4361 4534
Great place for that small gift that will scream Argentina (without spending a lot): small jewelry, accessories, vintage things...Very charming.

Comme Il Faut
Arenales 1239, Rue des Artisans Apt. M (Recoleta) phone 4815 5690,
Great store with a luxurious atmosphere (huge mirrors, Louis XV armchairs and a shocking pink sofa...) And then the shoes. Think Sex and the City.

Mishka
El Salvador 4673 (Palermo Viejo) phone 57776540

Handmade women shoes, boots, sandals and accessories. Think strong colors and innovative and environmentally friendly materials. A little particular in taste, it is very easy to fall in love with the whole line. They only sell in Buenos Aires and London.

Un Lugar en el Mundo

Defensa 891 (San Telmo) phone 4362 3836

One of the first addresses you should write down before your trip if you are into vintage clothing. They have an exceptional variety of bags, shoes and accessories from the 60's and 70's

For Men:

Felix
Gurruchaga 1670 (Palermo Viejo) phone 4832 2994
Boutique for men, definitely trendy and with a young clientele. An informal place but with a great personality, with persian rugs on the teak floors and house music pumping from the speakers.
The best? Shetland sweaters, scarves and ties.

Bensimon
Honduras 4876 (Palermo Viejo) , phone 4833 6857
Very cool clothes for men. In a wonderful place with turquoise-painted walls, persian rugs and wood floors we find splendid shirts, sweaters, jackets and accessories.

Hermanos Estebecorena

El Salvador 5960 (Palermo Viejo) phone 4772 2145

Good quality, for the guy in his mid-thirties (but young at heart).

Bolivia

Gurruchaga 1581 (Palermo Viejo) phone 4832 6284

Young and trendy.

Etiqueta Negra

Patio Bullrich Shopping Mall and other locations around town.

High-end and logically expensive, but excellent quality.

Balthazar

Gorriti 5131 (Palermo Viejo) phone 4834 6235

Nice clothes, traditional with a twist. Another location in San Telmo.

Puntos en el Espacio
Perú 979 (San Telmo) phone 4307 1742
A store in which to get men and women clothes, shoes and accessories of good quality at an affordable price. It is difficult to spend over a hundred dollars, and impossible not to buy at least one thing.

Casa López (men and women)

Marcelo T. de Alvear 640 (Downtown) phone 4312 8911

Handmade leather goods. Jackets, clothing, shoes and accessories. Great quality. There is another store in Patio Bullrich Shopping Mall in Recoleta. Very classic.


Everything for polo:
El Boyero (Florida 953 - phone 4312 3564).
With the exception of the horse, you will find absolutely everything for the sport here (or only the clothes if you are just after the look): leather goods, saddles, boots and gaucho knives.

Pasión Argentina (Ravignani 1780 - phone 4777 7550)

You can breathe tradition in this place (think farmers and their ponchos...)Clothes are classic with a modern twist. Worth a visit.

Bookstores and Art Galleries:

El Ateneo Grand Splendid
Avenida Santa Fe 1860 (Barrio Norte) phone 4811 6104
A true reader's Paradise. El Ateneo is the most famous bookstore in town.Located in a former theather where Carlos Gardel used to perform, it offers thousand of books in a magical setting (don't miss the murals on the ceiling). The stage is nowadays a great coffee shop.

You can read more here.

Wussmann Gallery
Venezuela 574 (San Telmo) phone 4343 4707 One of the best art galleries in town, specialized in Contemporary Art.

If you need something for your house (you never know), this is our choice:

Buenos Aires Design
Av. Pueyrredón 2501 (Recoleta), phone 5777 6000
Everything for that remodeling project. All the big names are here: Eugenio Aguirre, Cortes, Barugel Azulay, Iluminación Agüero, Kalpakian...a real who's who in the world of construction and home furnishings in Argentina. All in one convenient place. This is where we shop for our projects in Buenos Aires.

And this is it, at least for now. Also, please remember, stores open and close all the time. Always call ahead before going.

Also, there are some posts coming up about hotels and, by popular request, tango.