buenos aires shopping guide

Located between the tracks deep within the Tribunales subway station is Armando, a little-known custom-engraving kiosk we were tipped off to by an expat friend. Check it out for its elegant enameled Argentine address plaques—they'll turn one out for you in less than a week.
Casa Fundada 1938, 4371-9070

Products: Decorative/Lighting
Type of Store: Boutique

Tango is serious business in Buenos Aires, and Comme il Faut is where the most respected practitioners buy their shoes. Its stiletto-heeled styles define the words "exquisite" and "sexy"—and they're so entirely on-trend that even nondancers will love them.
Arenales 1239, Apt M., 1061, 4815-5690, commeilfaut.com.ar

Products: Shoes
Type of Store: Boutique

old-school bargains

Hotfoot it to the edge of town for Feria de Mataderos, a lively, cowboy-style affair complete with horse-riding demos and accordion players that provide distraction from the many booths loaded with local crafts.
Lisandro de la Torre y Avenida at De los Corrales, Mataderos, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm, feriademataderos.com.ar

Products: Bags, Jewelry, Furniture, Linen, Tabletop
Type of Store: Fair/Flea Market

old-school bargains

Hit Feria de san Telmo, the city's most famous market, for deals on smaller items.
Plaza Dorrego Humberto 1°, y Defensa San Telmo, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm feriadesantelmo.com

Products: Jewelry, Accessories, Linen, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Fair/ Flea Market

Wealthy Argentines like to relax on their estancias (ranches), and family-owned Guido is the place to go for authentic gaucho-life provisions, including handmade leather belts and bags, plus luxe polo gear.
Montevideo 1613, Quintana (btwn. Ave. Callao & Rodriguez Pena), 4812-3939

Products: Bags, Accessories
Type of Store: Boutique

Young, laid-back silversmith Marcelo Toledo is one of the country's premier artisans, and his homey workshop/showroom is full of elaborate poncho pins, yerba mate vessels, perfume censers, and candelabras (prices range upward of $100).
Humberto 1° 462, 4362-0841

Products: Accessories, Beauty, Decorative/Lighting, Tabletop, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

old-school bargains

B.A.'s secondhand secret, Mercado de Pulgas,has everything from art deco ashtrays to midcentury-modern chandeliers in a blockwide, stable like building.
Niceto Vega 200 Block, bet. Dorrego amd Concepcion Arenales, 10 am to 5 pm

Products: Antique, Decorative/Lighting, Tabletop
Type of Store: Fair/Flea Market