New Orleans
With new bargain-heavy boutiques, eco-centric emporiums and even a store dedicated to lace, the Big Easy's shopping scene is flourishing once again.
Voluptuous Vixen
The lingerie selection here, with bras up to size 44JJ, is peerless—as is owner (and photographer) Jaclyn McCabe, who has an eye for figure-flattering designs from David Meister, Anna Scholz and Jessica Svoboda.
818 CHARTRES ST., 504-529-3588, THEVOLUPTUOUSVIXEN.COM
Faulkner House Books
The famous author's former home is tucked in a tiny alley, next to a grand cathedral. It's now a pleasingly warren-like bookstore, which stocks city-specific tomes, loads of classics and, yes, a sweeping selection of Faulkner.
624 Pirate Alley, 504-524-2940
624 Pirate Alley, 504-524-2940
Fleur de Paris
So intimate are these tiny rooms, you almost feel like you've wandered into a femme fatale's home, circa 1920, with each salon-like nook housing a different facet of her wardrobe, from exuberantly decorated hats to glittering retro evening gowns.
523 Royal St., 504-525-1900, fleurdeparis.net
523 Royal St., 504-525-1900, fleurdeparis.net
Grace
This recent arrival seems as if it floated right out of the sea: Barge wood and small groupings of glass apothecary jars serve as a mood-enhancing backdrop to the vintage turquoise jewelry, rough-hewn leather satchels and skinny alligator belts on display.
3719 Magazine St., 504-899-2307
3719 Magazine St., 504-899-2307
Hemline
The intense popularity of this fast-growing boutique empire is completely understandable, because the focus is on well-priced pieces (under $100) that look far more expensive than they are. Case in point: A recent trip unveiled a strapless blush-hued dress by Hype, a pair of wear-everywhere Seychelles wedges and an exotically embroidered caftan.
3308 Magazine St., 504-269-4005; 609 Chartres St., 504-592-0242; 605 Metairie Rd., Metairie, 504-309-8778; shophemline.com
3308 Magazine St., 504-269-4005; 609 Chartres St., 504-592-0242; 605 Metairie Rd., Metairie, 504-309-8778; shophemline.com
Hové Parfumeur
Since 1931, this boudoir-esque perfumery (which sits in an 18th-century space) has been turning out a house label of romantically tinged soaps, powders and fragrances with old-world ingredients like vetiver and gardenia.
824 Royal St., 504-525-7827, hoveparfumeur.com
824 Royal St., 504-525-7827, hoveparfumeur.com
Lili Vintage Boutique
Lili is exactly the sort of vintage treasure trove you'd hope and expect to come across in New Orleans: full of hand-worked lace-edged skirts from the '30s, fur capelets from the '40s and pristine day dresses from the '50s.
3329 Magazine St., 504-891-9311, lilivintage.com
3329 Magazine St., 504-891-9311, lilivintage.com
Marion Cage
Owner Marion Cage McCollam trained as an architect, which is why her simple, pod-like brushed silver necklaces and eensy zodiac charms live in a gorgeous, airy space.
3719 Magazine St., 504-891-8848
3719 Magazine St., 504-891-8848
Mimi
This long-loved retail establishment is like a mini department store. It houses a Vera Wang bridal salon, a sizable assortment of marquee-name eveningwear from designers like Lela Rose and a pop-up shop for The Blue Jeans Bar, which means a wealth of denim and basics from Vince and Theory.
5500 Magazine St., 504-269-6464
5500 Magazine St., 504-269-6464
Modern Market
Hidden behind Design Within Reach, this brand-new shop touches on every aspect of home design. There are brightly hued trivets, slick Blu Dot furniture and fresh takes on traditional poufs.
3138 Magazine St., 504-896-2206
3138 Magazine St., 504-896-2206
