New Orleans Shops

Pilot and Powell’s careful edit includes elevated basics from Rachel Comey, Marni, Ganni, and Rejina Pyo. The modern white space has all the hallmarks of a great shopping experience: spacious fitting rooms, cleverly merchandised racks, and the most gorgeous selection of jewelry and accessories carefully placed on wooden dressers and trunks scattered around the store.

Crowe founder Lauren Bott started as a costume designer and buyer for film and television. Now she makes her own goods. Bott’s jewelry is delicate and sculptural and often harnesses precious stones. We especially love the earrings, which are discreet enough for everyday wear but rendered in gold and special enough for a night out. If you want to treat yourself to something unique or mark an occasion with something beautiful, make a beeline for Crowe.

Saint Claude Social Club is really code for what the owners describe as a “women’s parlor.” The store is an Aladdin’s cave of fragrance, exquisite costume jewelry, and vintage clothing. At night, the space often becomes a gathering place or “parlor” for the women of New Orleans, with trunk shows, art exhibits, and other creative events very much in line with the exuberant nature of the city.

Rare, pricey-but-worth-it vintage is what comes to mind when we think of Century Girl. Jewelry from the eighteenth century, exquisite cocktail attire, and precious trinkets fill the store. It can get expensive in here, but the cost reflects the quality and careful curation behind each piece. There are no duds here.

Krewe founder Stirling Barrett knows how to create an experience. Krewe is fundamentally a sunglasses store, but it’s also a hidden spot to have a coffee and just hang out. Like the city behind the brand, these frames are unusual, sometimes quirky, and beautifully crafted. Set aside time to visit Barrett’s plant-filled, showroom-style store and you won’t be able to leave without indulging in a pair of these special frames. Slow burners, indecisive shoppers, and general passersby can take a seat in the sunny, brick-walled alley outside for a coffee break.

Everything at this long-standing New Orleans children's boutique is hands-down adorable, whether it's a red eyelet Stella McCartney onesie, a Hawaiian-print romper, or an Ollie & Bess crawler stamped with crocodiles. There are picks for older kids, too, including glittery jeans from Joe's, art deco-inspired party dresses from Tutu du Monde, and multi-colored boys buttondowns from Andy & Evan.

Back in 1931, Mrs. Alvin Hovey-King set up shop on Royal Street, where she sold perfumes, a trade passed down by her French Creole mother. The tradition continues to this day, and although the shop has relocated a handful of times, the same sensibility prevails. Most of the scents—in colognes, perfumes, bath salts, and lotions—are gloriously old-fashioned and Southern-specific, like Creole Days, corduroy, vetivert, and heliotrope.

Architect and New Orleans resident Marion Cage McCollam started making jewelry more than a decade ago, and has quietly built up a following. It makes sense, because her whisper thin rings and quietly gorgeous studs cast in the shape of talons stand-out in a city known for its devotion to all things ornate. She also does really beautiful and streamlined hardware, including knob pulls and hooks.

This bright and airy home goods shop specializes in modern furniture lines (Blu Dot, GUS Modern) and a smattering of accessories, which all have the makings of a perfect housewarming gift. There are architectural brass trays, geometric throw pillows from Ferm living, and bright bamboo serving spoons.

In 1996 Jane Scott Hodges founded Leontine Linens, and in 2002, she picked up the mantle established by Eleanor Beard, who built a legendary needlepoint and embroidery business in the 20th century thanks to an army of wonderfully skilled artisans. Post-acquisition you can find the same level of service at Leontine: Cut and sewn to order duvets, sheeting, toweling, and table linens which are then hand-embroidered and appliqued. It's really beautiful stuff, turned out by some of the best needleworkers in the country. (The baby goods are instant-heirlooms and perfect gifts.)