Washington, DC Shopping

  1. All About Jane

    For chic fashion, this popular women's boutique is a great stop. Prices are reasonable and designs are truly unique - something that's hard to come by these days. The only downer is that the selection is rather limited.

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  2. American Institute Of Architects Bookstore

    Architecture buffs are in heaven in this sleek (and rather unusual) specialty shop, which stocks the latest architecture and design titles and periodicals. If you need a present for a hard-to-shop for architect, it also has a collection of unusual architecture-focused gifts.

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  3. Andre Chreky

    South of U St, this chic salon is creating a lot of talk among Washington's beautiful people. Its stylists and color technicians are versed in this minute's hair trends. You can also indulge in luxurious spa pampering, with a treatment menu that varies by season.

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  4. Appalachian Spring

    Touting its motto, 'celebrating American craft,' this local chain features fine handmade pottery, woodcarvings, quilts and jewelry. It's good for wedding gifts - we like the carved wooden boxes and hand-blown glass bowls.

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  5. Bead Museum

    The shop reflects the museum's educational mission by offering one-of-a-kind contemporary and ethnic beaded jewelry, books, posters and videos that relate to the exhibits.

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  7. Beadazzled

    Crafty types and jewelry lovers should not miss this specialty shop, which carries all things small and stringable. The selection from around the world ranges from 5¢ clay doohickeys to expensive pearls. Helpful staff will tell you how to put them together, and classes are offered on weekends.

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  8. Best Cellars

    For a libation to complete your gourmet feast, go to this elegantly designed vintner's shop. Arranged by taste categories (sweet, fruity, bold) rather than by type, it is helpful for vino novices, particularly since many bottles are under around US$15 . The shelves display fun little wine facts, too, like a Renaissance pope's desire to have his corpse washed in Orvieto.

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  9. Betsey Johnson

    Perennially trendy designer Betsey Johnson serves up her latest creations, always featuring lots of gauze, velvet and lace, in her dishy pink boutique. The designer has girly yet punk flair, using many vibrant pinks against black lace. Check the sale rack: Betsey Johnson on sale is very affordable.

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  10. Betsy Fisher

    The sales team at this classy women's boutique makes you feel like a queen whilst trying on fantastic pieces by mid-price designers such as Diane von Furstenberg and Max Studio. The best part about this boutique is the effort it makes to include all body types - carrying sizes up to 18.

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  11. Better Botanicals

    Feeling stressed by your travels? This unique reader-recommended shop prepares custom-made Ayurvedic herbal products. Choose your scent and have the staff personalize your soaps, oils, lotions and shampoos.

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  13. Beyond Comics 2

    Teens love this small shop crowded with scores of new and used comic books. Trading cards and heaps of action figurines from TV, movies and animation are also for sale.

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  14. Brass Knob

    This unique two-floor hardware shop sells 'rescues' from old buildings: fixtures, lamps, tiles, stained glass, mantelpieces, key plates and mirrors. It's a fantasyland for anybody renovating (or just living in) an old house. Staff can help you find whatever you need.

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  15. Celadon

    Washingtonians come to this rather luxurious spa for a day of pampering - from perfect pedicures to Swedish massages - but check out the store in front for a very impressive array of beauty products by such upscale designers as Peter Thomas Roth and Jack Black.

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  16. Chanel Boutique At The Willard Collection

    One of the world's largest Chanel boutiques, this shop inside the classy DC hotel offers the classic designer's signature line of shoes, suits, purses and sunglasses. It's also one of the few major designers to have a shop downtown.

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  17. Chapters

    The best bookstore in this area is dedicated almost exclusively to literary fiction; it has one of the liveliest reading calendars in town and an active book club that meets monthly. Blocks from the White House, it is a favorite of white-collars as well as tourists.

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  19. Claude Taylor Photography

    Claude Taylor's travel photographs are quite good quality, featuring people and landscapes from around the world. The photographer has a keen eye for color and composition, and the prints (which come in all shapes and sizes) start at about around US$100 .

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  20. Clothes Encounters Of A Second Kind

    If it's not in style this season you won't find it at this high-end consignment shop. Each item is carefully selected and you can find some designer classics discarded by Washington's upper crust at reasonable - although definitely not bargain basement - prices.

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  21. Commander Salamander

    This Georgetown institution has been a friend to street punks and wannabes for decades. (Thirty-somethings remember it fondly as the stop for black lipstick and handcuffs on the way to Georgetown's Friday night showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the now-defunct Key Theatre). It now sells funky makeup, all colors of hair dye, Goth-wear, and baggy clothes from such brands as Moschino and Hook-Ups.

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  22. Cowboy Western Wear

    This little Western shop will guarantee you are dressed to the nines for that night out two-steppin'. Even if you don't know how to 'swing your partner,' it has a great selection of boots and other Western wear.

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  23. Daisy

    This flirty California-style boutique sells jeans to fit every kind of booty. The store stocks designer baby tees and sunglasses from names like Billy Blues and Diane von Furstenberg - designers that are affordable to people collecting less than triple-figure salaries.

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  25. Dean & Deluca

    The New York gourmet chain has an overwhelming and mouthwatering selection of produce, meat and baked goods in this revamped brick warehouse (all costly; this is a place for Black Angus beef and caviar). Outside is a lovely canopied dining area for noshing on its ready-made sandwiches and pastries.

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  26. Deja Blue

    Looking for vintage jeans? This place has stacks of 'em, plus salespeople who can take one glance at you and throw you several pairs that fit like they were tailored for your booty alone. They usually run between around US$30 and around US$40 , but they're worth it.

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  27. Designer Art & Craft Usa, Inc.

    Why 'USA' is included in the name of this shop is not clear, as it carries clothing, textiles and jewelry from everywhere else. The selection of pashmina shawls and woven kilims is huge.

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  28. Dj Hut

    If you're looking for hard-to-find breakbeat or jungle in vinyl, try this shop. It caters to DJs working the turntables and has many obscure used and new records, including many funk and hip-hop choices.

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  29. Eastern Market

    Eastern Market's South Hall is the closest DC gets to foodie heaven: in its friendly confines are a bakery, dairy, fish counter, poultry counter, butcher, produce vendors and flower stands. A real Southern feast awaits - the Southern Maryland Seafood Company serves up the blue crabs and shrimp; over at Union Meat Company are fresh chitterlings, pigs' trotters and all kinds of sausage and steak.

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