Tip from Teresa de Sequera
“Arandu is a fabulous leather place in the heart of town. They make everything from saddles, polo boots, fashion boots, belts, bags small leather goods etc… I love the boots I bought there, and the prices are reasonable.”
For authentic gaucho bombachas, visit Aux Charpentiers, an Old-World tailor shop that’s been around since 1888.
Fabien Venturino sells tailored men’s clothing including Italian voile shirts, silk jacquard ties and English alpaca jackets as well as an array of traditional alpaca and llama scarves. Both boutiques have colorful interiors meant to evoke a “dandyish” atmosphere.
Located just off calle Florida, Bettina Rizzi has been churning out leather clothing for two decades. Don’t be put off by the bland interior, fluorescent lighting and racks of uninspired ready-made furs, belts and leather goods; the shop’s skilled tailors can custom-make jackets, pants, skirts and blazers in just about any design and color you’d like—in four hours or less—at prices from $60 to $230.
Designer Gustavo Samuelian sells his hip and funky men’s designs at Bolivia. The boutique is a fun place for browsing, its walls decorated with photographs from all over the world.
Argentina’s famous sexy and comfortable lingerie brand also sells sleepwear, workout clothes, socks and stockings.
This famous custom boot shop has been in the Fagliano family since 1892 and clients include Prince Charles, King Juan Carlos of Spain and the Sultan of Brunei. They’ll ship the final products anywhere. Advance appointments necessary.
If you can get past the funny insignia, and the store’s unimpressive country-western-looking design, you’ll find some serious-quality leather handbags, belts, luggage, gloves, shoes and wallets.
BA’s most elegant socialites flock here for luxurious lizard and crocodile handbags and sumptuous rabbit and mink coats.
Two Argentine sisters founded this women’s-wear line for jet-set party girls. Known Stateside for their uniquely cut, perforated leather jackets and fun cotton beach pants (available at Intermix, Nordstrom and Henri Bendel), Charlotte Solnick’s two BA stores carry everything from slinky cocktail dresses to artsy, feminine tops.
When in BA, it’s hard not to buy a pair of these beautiful hand-made pumps and stilettos, considered the Manolo Blahniks of tango shoes. After all, if they’re flexible and supportive enough to survive on an Argentine dance floor, you know they’ll hold up pounding the pavement back home.
Some of the women’s shoes at De Maria’s resemble perfect little sculptures. The comfy, well-made footwear walks the line between preppy and whimsical.
Widely recognized for its stylish men’s suits, casual wear and boots, this dark-wood-decorated fashion emporium now stocks a small selection of conservative staples—blouses, sweaters, jackets, shoes and accessories—for women.
Men from teens to thirty-somethings will love the hip head-to-toe rock-’n’-roll clothing at this BA-meets-Hollywood boutique.
Designed by an architect, this line of reversible tote bags and butterfly-chair-inspired backpacks made of indigenous materials and metals is unmistakably Argentine.
One step into Jazmín Chebar—the quintessential BA women’s clothing store—and you’ll get a taste of what makes shopping in this city so much fun. Designed by a 34-year-old Argentine who studied at Parsons School of Design, the pieces have the kind of details that exude a lighthearted, effortless chic. Try on the well-cut jeans and winter coats.
The panties at Juana de Arco are not only sexy and comfortable but creative. It will be hard to tear yourself away from the bins of rainbow-hued underpants and bras at this women’s and kids’ shop, but don’t miss the chunky knit sweaters and pretty sundresses before you leave.
Juliana Rustici stocks unique, one-of-a-kind women’s clothing.
Liliana Totaro’s custom-made pieces are made with high-quality Brazilian cottons—a rarity in Buenos Aires.
Tip from Patrizia Chen:
“BEST, BEST evening shoes (born as tango shoes, but fantastic as their high heels are perfectly balanced and will keep you on your feet forever without pain) to be found at:
Artesanal Anchorena 537 (near Corrientes); 54 (11) 4865-3713.
Neo Tango Sarmiento 1938; 54 (11) 4306-0171. www.neotangoshoes.com.
But my all time favorite and a cult store among tango ladies around the world: Comme il Faut Arenales 1239 Disfrutenlo; 54 (11) 4815-5690.”
Designer Martin Churba sells his sexy, experimental creations at Tramando.
Jessica Trosman’s namesake boutique (located inside the Bullrich family’s mall) carries her unique, contemporary designs.
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