Best of Atlanta 2015 Shopping
Men’s Vintage: Tough Boot & Co.
Tucked behind the Westside Provisions District, owner Luis Toache’s unassuming shop carries a mix of vintage and vintage inspired shirts, work wear, denim, loafers, accessories, and, yes, boots.
Leather Goods: B.D. Jeffries
Amid elegant patterned linens and horn jewelry, find a large selection of leather goods, including alligator belts, hornback crocodile clutches, cowhide coasters, and shagreen trimmed handbags.
Shop Expansion: Tulipano
This fall, the girly boutique took over a 1,000-square-foot retail space next door to its Buckhead shop. We were excited to find more of our contemporary favorites as well as a denim bar featuring Frame jeans, and a big wall of handbags and shoes.
Lingerie: La Perla
This minimalist Buckhead Atlanta shop feels like a museum—appropriate, given the price tags befitting works of art. A lace bra will run you up to $700, while basic stretch thongs retail for $28 to $360.
Affordable Suits: Suitsupply
Not interested in taking out a second mortgage to buy a custom suit—or doing your shopping in a warehouse? Suitsupply has a modern, upscale vibe, with a busy tailoring station just inside the door.
Men’s Outerwear: London Trading Company
Whether you’re embarking on an Appalachian hike or trekking across the grounds of your country estate, you’ll want jackets and vests made from rugged waxed cotton, ripstop wool twill, or maybe a hearty moleskin.
Best-Kept Secret: Mooncake Studio
After owner Janet Armell closed her decades-old Virginia-Highland storefront in 2012, many people thought the funky Mooncake was no more.
Workout Gear: Lululemon Athletica
How has Lululemon become synonymous with athletic wear that’s stylish enough for post-gym runs to Whole Foods?
Local Jewelry: Made Again
This new Inman Quarter incubator for local artists focuses on housewares, but step past the lamps and pillows and you’ll find an artfully arranged selection of jewelry from more than a dozen Atlanta designers.
Discount Boutique: Mint by Sandpiper
This past summer, the Vinings-based Sandpiper boutique opened a clearance and consignment shop in Inman Park, where the racks are filled with plenty of worthwhile last-season finds.
OTP Boutique: Lena Larose
It’s true that Atlanta’s best shopping destinations are mostly found inside the city limits. One notable exception is the easy but chic Lena Larose in Johns Creek.
Paper Goods: Paper Source
Stoke your creativity at one of the three metro outposts of this Chicago-born paperie, famed for its customer service and colorful variety of products.
Gifts: The Merchant
After opening its doors on the Westside in 2013, this eclectic gift shop added a second outpost this fall at Krog Street Market.
Record Store: Criminal Records
It can be a daunting task to flip through the racks and racks of vinyl records and CDs inside this 5,000 square-foot Little Five Points establishment.
Beauty Store: Woo Skincare + Cosmetics
Inside this local shop’s two Atlanta locations (the second opened this year on West Paces Ferry), find an irresistible array of top-notch beauty products, like pricey creams by La Mer and bright Nars lip pencils.
Atlanta Souvenirs: Crafted Westside
Find one of the city’s largest (and most affordable) collections of locally made goods at this Westside emporium.
Skate Shop: Powerhouse Skates
This Inman Park roller hub stocks inline, rhythm, and derby skates (skateboards, too)—along with all the necessary accessories, from protective gear to at least eight different types of toe stops.
Luggage: Macy’s at Lenox
In a city home to the world’s busiest airport, this Lenox Square department store is the place for baggage pickup.
Art Supply Store: Binders
The spacious Ponce City Market location houses an extensive selection of arty inventory, but the streamlined layout makes it easy to navigate.
Cruisers: Intown Bicycles
No bike store is better positioned than the Piedmont Park– and Atlanta BeltLine–adjacent Intown Bicycles.
Bookstore: Little Shop of Stories
Yes, this Decatur gem is mostly a kids bookstore—and a good one, with a cozy play tent to page through the latest Fancy Nancy—but the shelves also contain a thoughtfully selected adult fiction section.
Bath and Spa Products: Ona Atlanta
Pure, clean scents greet customers at this hostess-gift haven at Shops Around Lenox, opened nearly four years ago by sisters Jenny and Sarah Bronczek.
Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN
Pronounced “beholden,” this bridal boutique opened inside Anthropologie’s Westside outpost last spring.
Bridal Gowns: The Sentimentalist
It may not boast the racks and racks of options that you’ll find at a big-box store, but what the Sentimentalist does have is an intimate, romantic vibe and staffers who shower brides-to-be with personal attention.
Mother-of-the-Bride Ensembles: Susan Lee
This 17-year-old institution, which recently moved to an updated space two doors down from its original location, caters to Buckhead ladies who frequent grand events.
Personal Endorsement: Bluemercury
Woo Skincare + Cosmetics nabs this year’s honors for “Best Beauty Store,” but I also have to give props to the Bluemercury chain out of D.C.