55 Best Shopping in Buenos Aires, Argentina

These Argentine leather bowling sneakers and boxing-style boots are the heart and "sole" of retro. All the models are variations on a classic round-toed lace-up, but come with different-length legs. Plain black or chestnut uppers go with everything, but equally tempting are the two-tone numbers—in chocolate and orange, or black with white panels, for example. Even the store is a nod to the past, kitted out like a 1950s living room.

A fair-trade agreement links this luminous Palermo town house to a team of craftswomen in northwest Argentina who spin, dye, and weave the exquisite woolen goods sold here. Some of the handmade rugs, blankets, and throws follow traditional patterns and use only natural pigments (such as yerba mate or beetroot juice); others are contemporary designs using brighter colors. Packable souvenirs include sheep-wool table runners, alpaca scarves, and knitted cacti. Ask about designing your own rug.

Rainbow vinyl, fake snakeskin, truckloads of nylon, and faux fur: seen anywhere other than under a strobe light, the clothes here might be hard to take. Guys can check out the men's collection down the road at Gurruchaga 1715.

This is one of the few Adidas shops in the world to stock limited-edition items, though there may only be one in the shop at any given time. If you're less fussy about other people owning the same clothes as you, there's a great range of shimmering tops and gold-accented sneakers that would do you proud on the dance floor—and possibly at the gym as well.

Trashy but attractive is the best way to describe Allô Martínez's designs. Skinny satin pants and studded layered tees with plenty of leopard print will get you ready to rock, but you could go glam or formal in full-skirted, slightly Gothic ball gowns.

A prime location, choice shops, and an aggressive marketing campaign have turned Alto Palermo into a popular destination. Giggly teenage hordes are seduced by its long, winding layout; ladies who lunch, conversely, are drawn to the cafés in its top-level food hall. The 150-plus shops are strong on local street-wear brands—including Bensimon and Bowen for the boys and Akiabara, Ona Sáez, Las Pepas, and Rapsodia for the girls. Check out Argentine trendsetters María Vázquez and A.Y. Not Dead for way-out party clothes, and Kill for simple yet effective staples. Cristóbal Colón specializes in surfer- and skater-wear, while Cheeky has a great range of clothes for kids and babies. Paruolo, Sibyl Vane, and Lázaro are the best of the mall's many good shoe and handbag shops.

Naturally-dyed weavings and hand-hewn wooden basins are some of the items made by indigenous craftsmen at this shop-slash-gallery, which prides itself on being a socially responsible business. Owner Ricardo Paz handpicks pieces such as tables carved from a single tree trunk; exquisite woolen rugs are the most transportable of the shop's temptations.

Everything a modern gent needs—and plenty he didn't know he wanted—is sold inside this discreet Palermo town house. Find top-notch shirts, suits, cuff links, and even driving gloves. The bright handwoven alpaca scarves in color blocks or stripes are bestsellers.

The adorable collection of kitchen ceramics at Bartolomea is hard to resist. Pastels breathe new life into vintage-inspired dinnerware, while the colorful penguin wine jugs make unique (and useful) souvenirs.

Wooden shelving and layers of Persian rugs make Bokura look part general store and part 1,001 nights. Levi's-style jeans are reasonably priced; match them with slick leather jackets, shirts, and screen-printed, aged tees.

Porteño dandies know that Bolivia is the place for metrosexual fashion. Expect floral prints on shirts and leather belts. Aged denim, top-quality silk-screen T-shirts, vintage military jackets, and hand-knit slippers are among the items that fill this converted Palermo town house to bursting. A bright, breezy store nearby at Costa Rica 4670 stocks women's wear and accessories, too.

The fun household items in this warehouselike shop are proudly Argentine: quirky cowhide chairs, patchwork placemats, funky leather rugs, and geometric cushions nestle alongside mini-parrillas (barbecues), maté gear, and retro pingüino wine jugs.

Argentina's favorite underwear brand does cute cotton panty and bra sets in bright colors as well as plenty of sexier fare. Although the stuff sold here is fun for flopping on the couch or spending the day in bed, don't come looking for support, whether it's structural or from the sales staff. Assistants look on, unsympathetic to the fact that bras have no cup size.

A hotel-boutique hybrid, this charming housewares haven specializes in rustic chic. There's an emphasis on lace, velvet, and crocheted textiles; snap up a woolen rug or wonderfully potent handmade lavender soap.

Whether it's a Panama hat for the blazing sun or a flat cap complete with ear flaps for a rough winter, this store has your headwear needs covered. For an authentic Argentine touch, get the urban gaucho look with a tartan boina.

Known to regulars as the DUC, this artsy spot combines a terrace café and a tiny music venue with a terrific bookstore. Browse the ground floor for artistic tomes and local literature while tapping your toes to some live jazz.

Quirky prints are the standout feature at DAM, a small boutique led by designer Carola Bessasso. Stylewise, you can expect feminine cuts and 1950s flair (the halter dresses are especially flattering); best of all, since Bessasso mixes unconventional materials with vintage finds, every piece is truly one of a kind.

Check out this popular women's wear brand for light and airy shirts, dresses, and tees. The well-cut jeans are merciful on the wallet—and on the hips (they're available up to a size 12, that's an Argentine 5).

From natty suits to slick leather jackets, the togs here appeal to thoroughly modern men who appreciate a touch of old-school class. The polos are a smart buy, as are the tailored cotton shirts; pair them with chinos in the traditional palette or more outrageously hued ones that seem geared to the golf course.

Keep it casual at El CID, a men’s store that covers most bases, from well-cut linen trousers to attractive button-down shirts. Hipster gentlemen will love the animal print pants, floral bowties, and flamboyant cotton scarves.

Rubén Troilo and Constanza von Niederhäusern’s innovative, well-constructed ready-to-wear has been exciting fans since their brand launched in 2010. Combining exciting textures, colors, and prints, Garza Lobos makes great use of leather, silk, and cashmere. Look for the capsule collection of purses made in collaboration with Lázaro.

Pick up polo shirts, sweaters, and loose-cut trousers from übercool British sportswear label Gola. You'll also find a small, incongruous selection of posh Etiqueta Negra clothing, the brand responsible for making Gola garments locally.

The approach at this trendy streetwear store is 100% practical: dreamed up by brothers who are industrial designers, all of the flat-front shirts, pants, and rain jackets have pockets, seams, and buttons positioned for maximum utility. Everything looks great, too. With a product range that includes footwear and underwear, it's a one-stop guy shop.

The hit leather brand Jackie Smith is the brainchild (and perhaps alter ego) of designer Valeria Smith. Characterized by boisterous colors, it includes an extensive range of fun and fabulous purses, clutches, handbags, and shoulder bags for 30-something women.

Thickly wedged heels and points that taper beyond reason and are some of Ferroni's trademarks. Stacked heels in dark textured leather with metallic trim look like a contemporary take on something Evita might have worn. If all that height brings on vertigo, fear not: the three-tone boots and ballet pumps are pancake-flat.

Jessica Trosman has left the helm of her eponymous brand and taken an urban turn, giving her new JT label a fresh minimalist look that fuses geometric and industrial elements. The Villa Crespo store combines a design studio, a dressmaking workshop, and a textile lab—all in open view.

It's all very space odyssey at Kostüme, a B.A. Fashion Week fave. Extra-brief dresses might be made of netting or bunched-up nylon and worn over drainpipe trousers. Many tops are asymmetrical, and pants come with saddlebag-like protrusions. Check out the Vader boots, a collaboration with Pony.

Being a number-one polo player wasn't enough for Adolfo Cambiaso—he founded his own team in 1995, then started a clothing line that he also models for. If you think polo is all about knee-high boots and preppy chinos, think again: Cambiaso sells some of the best urban menswear in town and this store includes a café. The Italian-cotton shirts, sharp leather jackets, and to-die-for totes are perfect for any occasion.