New Orleans' Best Independent Clothing Stores
Home to some of the world’s best music, food, and art, it should come as no surprise that New Orleans is also home to some of the world’s best shopping. Don’t expect the glitz and glamour of New York’s Fifth Avenue, though, because like the Big Easy’s free spirited energy, the best shopping in New Orleans is found at independent, mom and pop shops that are as eclectic as the city itself. Here is our recommendation for the next time you are in town!
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Century Girl Vintage
Century Girl Vintage is a New Orleans retail store whose carefully curated selection of garments complement the store’s exquisitely old-world ambiance. Opened in 2014, this Garden District shop offers visiting guests the chance to purchase high-end vintage cocktail dresses, special-occasion wear, accessories, and particularly hard-to-find items such as 19th- and 18th-century jewelry.
Cella’s Boutique
Carrying a rich collection of high-quality clothing, unique jewelry, colorful scarves, hats, and fashionable footwear, Cella’s Boutique is a fashion-forward women’s boutique located in the heart of the French Quarter. A favorite among locals, this affordable store has an additional shop on Magazine Street, offering guests the opportunity to access well-priced clothing at two convenient locations.
Funky Monkey
Funky Monkey is a locally-owned store popular among locals for its mix of new, used, and vintage clothing for women and men. Located in the Uptown District, the store has been operating since 1997 as a special boutique fueled by culture, art, music, and fashion, carrying unique hipster couture trends, custom-made T-shirts, handmade costumes, indie labels, trends for every day, and accessories, all at affordable prices.
Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes
Specializing in vintage clothing and old-school costumes, Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing is a unique secondhand store that carries both men’s and women’s wear. Located in the Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans, this funky store offers everything from wigs and jewelry to theme costumes and vintage apparel, all in a compact setting. Whether you are looking for Halloween attire, a Mardi Gras outfit, or just a hip wig to wear around town, Miss Claudia’s has it all.
Defend New Orleans
Featuring products that reflect the city’s independent spirit, Defend New Orleans has been selling locally-printed T-shirts in Uptown since 2011. The store prides itself on “celebrating, preserving, and promoting New Orleans’ culture,” offering guests shirts that display creative variations of the city’s rich history and multicultural heritage, as well as regionally produced accessories.
Vegas
Located in the Lower Garden District, Vegas is a trendy storefront offering men a unique inventory filled with contemporary apparel, shoes, sunglasses, bags, and many accessories. The store has been in business for more than 10 years and features brands such as James Jeans, RVCA, Penguin, as well as vintage-inspired T-shirts — perfect pieces for a casual night out.