Charleston Shops

Neatly organized by designer, Hampden is one of the most fashion-forward shops in Charleston, with collections from goop favorites like 3.1 Phillip Lim and Stella McCartney. Hampden also has plenty of couches (should you need a bit of a break from shopping) and a stocked bar (should you need a drink). In addition to all that, attached to Hampden is their fabulously curated handbag/shoe/accessory shop, called James. (Stacy Smallwood, the owner, named both stores after her great grandfather, James Hampden Small.)

A Charleston staple for more than twenty years, WORTHWHILE is located on Magazine St. It’s hard to make generalizations about the buy here since it’s simultaneously eclectic and very intentional; you’ll find everything from Elder Statesmen and Isabel Marant to quirky local lines, plus a very cool selection of home goods and beauty products displayed on stunning wood built-in shelving. Great news: If you aren’t heading to Charleston anytime soon, they have a great online shop.

Backed by over 100 years of occupying the same King Street storefront, Croghan’s is not only the oldest fine jewelry store in the area, it’s also one of the most well-appointed. The glass display cases house a dizzying array of new and antique jewelry and the shelves lining the perimeter of the selling floor are packed to the rafters with silver and crystal collectibles and decorative pieces. The estate engagement ring offering is particularly impressive—and really fun to play with.

The very picture of a beloved neighborhood bookstore, Blue Bicycle houses a blessedly easy-to-navigate collection of new and pre-loved books spanning all genres—in addition to every single title devoted to the city of Charleston itself. The on-site event space plays host to countless author signings and talks throughout the year, while for the past 14 summers (and counting), the owners have organized a kid's writing camp to nurture little ones’ composition skills and appreciation for the written word.

It’s no surprise that a history-rich town like Charleston has long been a destination for treasure hunters. Taking up the ground floor of the historic Enston Building, this decades-old showroom is home to a vast collection of antique and vintage furniture, home décor, lighting, crystal, and silver—sourced locally and from estate sales all over the world and organized into neat, stroll-able aisles.

Billy Reid is a distinctly Southern designer, seamlessly working traditionally preppy elements (pastels, seersucker, lots of khaki and linen) into elegant, streamlined, and sometimes vintage-inspired silhouettes. His Charleston shop is divided into two departments: one for the men’s line, complete with a healthy bowtie selection, and one for the women’s collection of shift dresses, neutral knits, and chambray separates. Merchandised right into the displays are a number of giftables like stationery, art books, and knickknacks for the home.