Austin Shops

Entrepreneur Kirsten Dickerson brings her passion for working with female artisans to life with Raven + Lily, an ethical fashion and home label whose Austin flagship represents the handiwork of 1,500 women from around the globe. Inside, look for a light-as-air fringe caftan, handmade by women in Mexico, or blush soft leather earrings that are lovingly crafted in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. Each piece tells a story, and Dickerson's relationship with various female communities ensure that these women are able to practice their craft, provide for their families, and continue to live with dignity. The home assortment is particularly beautiful—we loved the black-and-white handwoven throw pillows, which are created on an upright loom in Oaxaca City, and the walnut wood bowls, hewn in partnership with M. Montague in Morocco. Photos: Courtesy of Raven + Lily

The vibe here might be described as high-end with a twang. The owners don’t let trends influence the buy too heavily, so it’s a good place to update a guy’s wardrobe, whether you’re looking for a professional look, a pocketknife, or just a pair of jeans. The clothing selection is really classic, and there’s also generous shelf space devoted to clean grooming products. Keep an eye out for Ralph Lauren’s Double RL Line—a rarity even in Austin.

When Austin native Currie Person returned home to settle down, she realized that she missed the thoughtfully curated small art object stores she’d visited in Paris and New York. So, in a space she shares with JM Dry Goods, she opened Spartan, a minimalist but beautiful textile/apothecary/home store with everything from cerulean pottery from Victoria Morris and Kati Von Lehmam porcelain tumblers to sycamore cutting boards and stone-washed Turkish towels. Last year, they launched a fragrance collaboration with Olo called Spartan, inspired by—what else?—the Texas landscape. The boutique is just the tip of the iceberg for Person, though, as she also lends her eye to two other shops: Beam & Anchor in Portland and Voyager in San Francisco.

Service Menswear is a long-time tenant on South Congress, occupying their bright, clean-cut space for over a decade. Founder Kirk Haines' buy kind of epitomizes the straightforward style that most Austin guys subscribe to, stocking Steven Alan shirts, Eastland boots, RVCA graphic tees, and plenty of Levis. He's also got a great selection of accessories (Steven Alan sunglasses, Nixon watches, Faribault blankets) and grooming products (Juniper Ridge, Marvis, etc.) to round things out.

Like, Friends & Neighbors, Las Cruxes is an experiential concept shop. They have clothing and jewelry, interior decor, books, and beauty, too. What makes Las Cruxes different is that it's also part gallery, and has a somewhat eclectic mix of art objects, drawings, and paintings. Before or after you wander the space, grab a coffee at Flat Truck next door.

Wendi Koletar knows a thing or two about what Austin women want to be wearing. For more than a decade, the Texas native’s unerring edit has made way for wearable, up-and-coming labels like Jesse Kamm, Demylee, and Apiece Apart presented in a raw, light-filled space. She takes particular (and well-deserved) pride in her shoe selection—look for mules by Mari Giudicelli, Chelsea boots by Common Projects, and slides from Maryam Nassir Zadeh. The jewelry is a mix of earthy designs by Lizzie Fortunato and sculptural cuffs from Sophie Buhai.

A store full of vacation-ready pieces you’d normally have to travel for? Shop owner Michelle Teague has you covered. Here, she stocks the leaf pine shelves full of beautiful, handmade clothing and accessories by artisans from Oaxaca. Not to be missed are a few of her other travel finds: packable canvas hats, linen spray from Coqui Coqui, handmade incense from the Yucatan, and a striped hammock from Brazil.

A bungalow-turned-shop, with an attached cafe serving coffee, wine, beer, and snacks; and a teepee, wrought iron tables, and board games out back, Friends & Neighbors is as Austin (and adorable) as it sounds. Every room of Friends & Neighbors, which is still designed like a home, is a bit different. The living room has home decor, vintage clothes, and accessories; the bathroom: beauty products (including goop-approved clean brands like Olio e Osso), towels, and linens; while loungewear hangs from an armoire in the bedroom.

Along with Tex-Mex and live music, there's a big vintage scene in Austin. Aficionados will want to comb all of South Congress and South First Street, but if you're looking for a really great edit, go to Feathers. The shop, which has been open since 2005, is neatly organized, beautiful, and well-run (by two women, one of whom is a Texas native). It's worth a stop for vintage-virgins, too—the clothing and jewelry selection is very accessible, and there are always pieces here that are conveniently easy to work into an everyday, modern wardrobe.

Just a stone’s throw from Hotel San Jose, the sprawling two-story Cove is a new kid on a much-loved block of South Congress. Here, University of Texas alum Rebecca Yanoff assembles a roster of brands “Austin women like to wear,” including Rebecca Taylor, Mara Hoffman, Sundry, and Current/Elliot in a light-filled setting accented with palm leaves. A highlight: there’s a wraparound patio with white mid-century Acapulco chairs so shoppers can socialize between fitting room deliberations.