Shopping in New Orleans
For those who love to shop, there are several cool stretches in New Orleans that will satisfy the shopping urge. New Orleans is a city that does not cater to the big chains, and there are lots of cool boutiques and small shops throughout the city.
New Orleans has a style that would be described as understated sophistication. It doesn't have the big hair and bling of the rest of the South, and is super comfortable in its own skin. There is a hint of classic preppy, sophisticated style and hipster throughout the city, but locals generally are cool with whatever you wear as long as you own it and its got some sense of style.
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Local Favorites
In the Quarter, many local women enjoy cruising the shops on Chartres near Jackson Square. The lower Decatur area has slightly more alternative selections for those interested in bohemian and punk. Italy Direct on Royal and another location on Tchoupitoulas has some of the best deals in the city, and they are always willing to haggle for an even greater deal for men's suits and womens dresses. For those mainstreamers, Canal Place Mall and the River Walk Mall along the river offer several great options.
Magazine Street in the Garden District and Uptown is the center of boutique shopping for both men and women. Men can actually find some uber cool locally designed fashion at Vernon, while Style Lab has more national brands that are super stylish. For women, the list is endless. Local boutique clothing shops are everywhere along Magazine. The House of Lounge has an incredible selection of lingerie, while the area from Jackson to Napoleon Avenues is filled with awesome fashion boutiques and locally designed jewlery shops like Marion Cage, Kary Beh, and Mignon Faget. If you are into the classic preppy haberdashery, then Perlis is the place for you. There are lots of pastels and classic designs and even wild madras to inspire the clubbiest in the group.
Vintage & Flea Markets
For those who love the thrift market, Bloomingdeals on Freret is the top of the line for stylish clothing that is often donated by the city's well-to-do families. Lots of local youth buy their finest gear there to get the classic look.
For flea markets, the lower French Market from Gov. Nicholls to Barracks street has the ultimate collection of random merchandise oriented towards the tourist trade.
Boutiques
The French Quarter and Magazine streets are the center of boutique shopping in New Orleans. Chartres street on both side of Jackson Square is filled with boutiques where local women love to shop. If you are in the market for a totally awesome over-the top wig for Carnival, Halloween, or any occasion, Fifi Mahoneys on Royal Street is the top of the line boutique.
Magazine Street from Felicity up to Audubon Park is filled with local boutiques that sell both men's and women's fashion. The three block section from Felicity to Jackson is known as the green district because of its environmentally sustainable clothing. Some of the local favorites include House of Lounge, Angelique, Hemline, Trashy Diva, Spruce, Vernon, and Green Serene. Further Uptown, Dirty Coast and Fleurty Girl are popular t-shirt shops with local designs and lots of New Orleans flavor.
Department Stores
New Orleans is the city of boutiques, and has no department stores in the metro area today. Back in the day, Canal Street had a row of amazing local department stores such as Maison Blanche, Godchaux's, and D.H. Holmes. But in the 1990s, most of these locally-owned stores closed, and were replaced by national chains in the malls.
In the suburbs, one can shop at the local malls in Metairie and on the West Bank, where you can find Macy's and Dillards.
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