stores
Shopping
Pitkin County Dry Goods
It would take hours to scan Pitkin’s jam-packed racks of skinny pants, printed frocks and toggle coats. But it’s worth it. We left with an Aztec-print Amanda Uprichard dress and a locally made leather wrap bracelet. 520 E. Cooper Ave., 970-925-1681, pitkincountydrygoods.com
Shopping
Distractions
Exquisite knitwear is the main attraction at Heidi Semrau’s contemporary boutique. Top picks include a purple silk-screened Libertine argyle and one insanely soft, Navajo-inspired cashmere cardigan we could not stop petting. 465 E. Hopkins Ave., 970-544-9946, distractionsaspen.com
Shopping
Performance Ski
Our favorite ski shop, not for the prices (which can be black- diamond steep), but for chic ski and après-ski apparel, like an unbulky Duvetica down parka and a tough Dsquared2 leather bomber. 408 S. Hunter St., 970-925-8657
Shopping
Koto
Koto loosely means “object” in Japanese, and the ones at this sleek, moodily lit space range from in-demand (tie-neck George blouses, R&Y Augousti octagonal clutches) to totally random (metallic purple piggy banks). Things get even kitschier around the corner at the sister shop. 308 S. Mill St., 970-925-5686, kotoaspen.com
Shopping
Kemo Sabe
The Lone Ranger homage is abundant (cowhide ottomans, lots of taxidermy), but authentic cowboy boots and stacks of wool Pendleton blankets make this a tourist destination that’s actually very worthwhile for all things Western. 434 E. Cooper Ave., 970-925-7878, kemosabe.com
Shopping
O2 Aspen
The original Main Street locale has a spa and yoga studio, but we like this downtown spin-off for its expansive selection of Lululemon Athletica activewear, soothing Epicuren lotions and sequined Chan Luu sweaters. 605 E. Cooper Ave., 970-925-3161, o2aspen.com
Shopping
Stuart & Wright
Steven Alan vets Alec Stuart and Celeste Wright kept the original signage but replaced the washing machines with A.P.C., Rachel Comey and Rag & Bone at this gorgeously renovated, ash-wood-accented former dry cleaner.
Shopping
Smith + Butler
The James Dean brand of rugged, white-T-shirted Americana is repackaged in the form of this casual clothing-and-lifestyle shop that sells vintage motorcycles alongside tried-and-true Pendleton geo-print cardigans, Billykirk leather bags and The Hill-Side scarves.
Shopping
Saipua
Eric Famisan and Sarah Ryhanen's hand-cut olive-oil-based soaps are sold worldwide, but only at their freestanding secret garden-esque Red Hook shop can you scoop them up along with Ryhanen's impossibly gorgeous seasonal floral bouquets.
Shopping
Gabriela De La Vega
Located on a tree-lined Fort Greene block, this white-walled, airy boutique carries ultra-modern pieces from A Détacher, Gary Graham and Carolann Wachter that are subtly enhanced by colorful chandelier earrings and tiered necklaces designed by de la Vega herself.
