Fashion mavens interested in Chinese designers must make time for this three-story boutique in Jing’An. The design studio—with a winding staircase, whitewashed floors and decorated nooks throughout—is a delight to explore, but even better to browse; the boutique stocks a curated selection of cutting-edge local designers like Chictopia, Uma Wang and Xander Zhou. The fashions are pricey, but if you want the best Chinese designers, this is the place to go.

Shanghai’s go-to tailor for top-of-the-line designs, Royal Gold Thread makes custom qípáo and cheongsam, the traditional Chinese evening wear for men and women, respectively. Cheongsam should fit like a glove and are tailored to flatter the female figure, so it is recommended to have four fittings, but for the sake of time, they can be made with just two adjustments. The stunning designs often feature head-to-toe embroidery, gold trimmings and dragon patterns.

This is the atelier of a French expat who pairs European standards with Asian textiles to create unusual bags and scarves. There are also smaller, fun accessories and gifts on sale.

“The prices here are ridiculous,” said my guide when I visited Spin during my recent trip, but he meant it in a good way. If you only visit one ceramics store while in Shanghai, it should be Spin, which is owned and run by the same people as acclaimed Japanese restaurant Shintori. The designs are modern, creative and whimsical, and even the most beautiful, delicate pieces are more than fairly priced (no need to bargain here). Favorite discoveries included a set of sixteen tiny, paper-thin sake cups, each a little different from the next; a votive with teeny star cut-outs; and oversized coffee mugs with a single brightly colorful line of paint slicing the smooth glaze. Be sure to ask to get your purchases wrapped up in one of the store’s stylish wooden boxes; the perfect present to take home. Spin also has a branch in Beijing.

This tiny boutique on a side street off of the Bund carries the beautiful hand-embroidered silk shoes that are designed by a Shanghainese woman and made by local craftsmen. There are a variety of models and many patterns with fish and flowers. Wrapped in little velvet sleeves, they make great gifts.