stores
Shopping
Kick Pleat
This eight-year-old contemporary clothing boutique covers both ends of the investment-worthy spectrum: Acne jeans and Rachel Comey booties to have forever, and Jesse Kamm triangle-print dresses and locally designed salt stone Growing necklaces to have before anyone else. 918 12th St. W., 512-445-4500, kickpleat.com
Shopping
Maison D'etoile
The fun of a slumber party is packed into this tiny East Austin house turned co-op. Sample false eyelashes and Reba McEntire wigs at Coco Coquette cosmetics, play dress-up with shimmery ’70s disco dresses at Charm School Vintage, and have your hair styled at the unpretentious Salon d’Etoile. 2109 Cesar Chavez St. E., 512-344-9173
Shopping
Blackbird Clothes and Curios
Performers who live on nearby “musicians’ row” frequent this saloon-inspired boutique for black satin shorts ($28), studded leather belts ($14) and graphic-print tees ($32) bold enough for the stage, affordable enough for artists on the cusp. 112 North Loop Blvd. E., 512-904-9114, blackbirdaustin.blogspot.com
Shopping
Dog & Pony
These independently owned South Lamar shops share a space but offer two very distinctive aesthetics. Spartan features handmade giftables, like feathered dream catchers and delicate heart pendant necklaces; its sister stocks utilitarian-cool Relwen jackets and Chimala overalls. 215 Lamar Blvd. S., Ste. C, 512-579-0301, shopbowsplusarrows.com; 215 Lamar Blvd. S., Ste. C/D, 512-579-0303, spartan-shop.com
Shopping
austin art garage
Follow the dusty driveway past the creaky woodworker’s shed to this barnlike gallery of fresh works—playful landscapes, painterly abstracts, edgy photographs and mixed-media collages—by up-and-coming local talents, all priced between $10 and $2,000. 2200 Lamar Blvd. S., Ste. J, 512-351-5934, austinartgarage.com
Shopping
Domy Books
Innovative shops, like this graphic art gallery/rare books store, are turning once-dodgy East Austin into a destination. Venture beyond the back wall of literary journals to visit Busy-Being, a new handmade-accessories spot tucked into a closet-size space. 913 Cesar Chavez St. E., 512-476-3669, domybookstore.com
Shopping
Feathers Boutique
A Western, bohemian vibe dominates this beloved organized- by-color vintage spot. We shopped the rainbow and found a toffee ’70s prairie skirt on the desert-hued rack, an orange ’60s caftan in the sunset-colored section and an emerald paisley scarf among the jewel tones. 1700B Congress Ave. S., 512-912-9779, feathersboutique vintage.blogspot.com
Shopping
Gallery D
The French minimalist decor reads high-end, but under-$200 work-to-cocktails separates—like tailored skinny blazers and teal silk skirts—satisfy the budgets of job-hunting UT seniors. 436 Second St. W., 512-322-5241, gallerydaustin.com
Shopping
Uncommon Objects
If not for the lure of the food trucks lined up across South Congress, we could have spent the entire day in this sprawling, swap-meet–style emporium, ogling quirky antiques ranging from 1860s typewriters (starting at $55) to 1960s acoustic guitars (from $150). 1512 Congress Ave. S., 512-442-4000, uncommonobjects.com
Shopping
Moss Designer Consignment
Spotted at this sunny, uncluttered spot for gently worn designer goods: a cropped woven Chanel jacket and neon Balenciaga satchel in such good condition that they had us seriously questioning the sanity of the Texans who surrendered them. 705B Lamar Blvd. S., 512-916-9961, mossaustin.com
