The Best Fashions Under the Sun

by Richard Pizzo

Austin’s unique character and style have given the city a shopping scene fitting to its reputation. Likewise, Austin is renowned for its warm temperatures and bright clear skies, so naturally, a substantial number of businesses have chosen to operate in outdoor markets. From large chain retailers to quiet and cozy boutiques, shoppers have total access to the best deals and fashions in the state.

To find the right style for your personality and price range, Celebrate Austin has prepared this handy guide for the shopping enthusiast who’s not afraid to step out of the malls.

The Arboretum

For an upscale shopping experience, one should visit The Arboretum located at 10000 Research Boulevard. This mall has chosen to open its retailer’s doors to the great outdoors, creating a breezy market beneath some of the most beautiful oak trees in the city. The Arboretum offers more than a dozen shops for women’s apparel and shoes and houses others exclusively for men’s and children’s fashions. The market is also home to art galleries and home décor retailers. Whether it’s the walls or the dinner table that needs a new look, The Arboretum has you covered.

While the women shop, the men can kill plenty of time in stores like The Sharper Image or Heroes & Legacies, a cigar shop offering a wide variety of smokes as well as fun gift ideas. Dining in the mall ranges from sub sandwiches to Chinese food, and the whole family will love Amy’s Ice Creams (a must-have for any visitor to Austin).

SoCo

If Austin’s unique style is what you’re looking for, take a drive over the bridge to South Congress Avenue and explore the many antique shops and vintage clothing stores. With its numerous thrift stores, SoCo should be the destination for anyone looking to find some fashionable attire for just a few dollars. To experience some of Austin’s great culture, stop into Antigua Art & Antiques and peruse their selection of Latin American art and décor.

Feel like getting away from yourself? SoCo is the home of the most unique and expansive costume shop in town: Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds. In the various antique stores lining the street, it’s not hard to find unique furniture or the kind of clock that would make Salvador Dali look twice. South Congress is also an excellent place to look for out-of-production, vintage records. Almost all of SoCo’s stores are privately owned and offer the comfortable, laid-back atmosphere so distinctive to Central Texas. While you’re on South Congress, don’t forget to peer down the street at the magnificent view of the nation’s largest capitol building.

SoLa

For those interested in soaking up some sun and finding fashions to set you apart from the crowd, visit South Lamar Boulevard. The attitude is just like that of SoCo, but shoppers should be prepared to spend a little more dough in SoLa’s trendy boutiques. The boutiques have a solid reputation of promoting Austin’s local manufacturers and designers. The Salvation Army is nearby and always has a good deal on used merchandise from around the world. Another great attraction on SoLa is the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which serves food and drinks during its screenings of both current blockbusters and classic films.

"The Drag"

For the young and trendy shopper, or those just young and trendy at heart, Guadalupe Street – located in the heart of downtown and running directly through the University of Texas campus – is the place to be. From one-of-a-kind boutiques to pop culture staples such as Urban Outfitters, “The Drag” has all you need to be a big man (or woman) on campus.

For shoes, Tyler’s has a wide selection of styles in every color of the rainbow. For games and gadgets, take a look in Toy Joy; just try not to get disoriented by all the colors, lights, and buttons. With a range of cafés and restaurants, as well as arcades and museums, Guadalupe Street is the place to go if you’re looking to make your outdoor shopping experience last an entire day.

So whether you want to travel the beaten path of chain retailers or break away from the ordinary to celebrate the weird, bring the shades and the sunscreen and have fun exploring the wide world of Austin’s outdoor shopping.