STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

The clothes there are amazing and cheap on the american dollar.  You will probably end up with a new wardrobe.  I would fly back to BA maybe just to shop.  So I'd suggest bringing a few things you like, and a bulk of basics that you don't mind checking on your way back.  Also, I think international flights are pretty strict about size constraints for carry-ons (+ liquids and whatnot) and customs to get into the US again are strict.  Wine, etc. (which you will bring back, trust) will have to be checked. I don't think you're going to be able to avoid checking a bag- just make sure there's nothing valuable/sentimental in it.

As for fancy/nice meals...  You will probably eat out a lot.  You can get wine/steak/apps etc. for about $15 american, sometimes less.   When I was there, I regretted not bringing fancier outfits.  My clothing was definitely way too casual- people glam it up.  A simple tee and jeans is fine in America and there it felt like the most boring outfit in the world. 

How exciting--do you know what neighborhood you will be in?

Be prepared for rain--early spring is rainy in Buenos Aires. Also, it's humid. You can buy a cheap umbrella there, but I'd take a light raincoat or jacket. Last spring I found a lightweight jacket at Eddie Bauer that was decent-looking and that I could roll up and put in my bag when the sun came out. I took it on a spring trip to the UK and it was great.

Check the weather forecast before you go--I would expect the average temps to be mid-60s to low 70s. I lived in BA a couple of years ages ago and don't remember it being warm in September. I've been back several times, most recently in 2004.

You can get around easily on the "Subte" and taxis are cheap, but Buenos Aires is a great walking city, so bring good walking shoes. You will find malls and gallerias, but I love the traditional shopping streets, Florida and Santa Fe.

This is Florida, downtown BA in January, 2004 (mid-summer.) As you can see, it's pretty casual. It's also a lot warmer than it will be in September.

Kitty wrote:

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Wow, thanks everyone! Maven -- We are staying on Florida street, actually.

I am thinking of packing the following:

- Two pairs of jeans (one I will probably wear on the flight). One nicer dark wash and one casual pair hemmed for flats/sandals
- Four cotton and/or jersey dresses that won't wrinkle and won't take up much space (two for evening, two for day)
- A couple cardigans and/or sweaters
- One jacket/blazer that I could wear over evening and day outfits (I'm struggling to think what this would be..)
- Four t-shirts and/or casual tops
- Two skirts (one dress and one casual)
- Three nice tops
- Two pairs of heels (one higher and one lower)
- Flip Flops
- Walking Sandals/shoes
- Four tank tops for layering
- Bikini and cover up
- Underwear/bras, etc.
- PJs
- One clutch for evenings


For those of you that have been to Buenos Aires -- what exactly are the prices for clothes there? Like how cheap are we talking?

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I spent almost a $1000 there (not counting food)!  But everything was designer or contemporary designer.  There's not a *ton* to do in BA that isn't touristy- so leisurely shopping/cafes/meals is the bulk of what I did.  I was also there 2 weeks and regret not taking a couple of day trips out of the city while I was in South America.  I ran into a friend from DC RANDOMLY at a restaurant in Buenos Aires, small world, and she was flying to a wine region and then Iguacu falls as well. 
Anyway- this is what I bought and can recommend stores.  I also have scans of the Lucky Mag Buenos Aires shopping city guide that I can email.  All my prices are USD (peso is rougly 3 to a dollar)

2 pairs of De Maria shoes- in Recoletta- about $150- comparable to $400-$600 shoes at Barneys, etc.
2 pairs thrift store shoes- which might be my two favorite shoes ever- $1 each
an Oscar Wilde tee- $20 from some hipster shop
leather and studded moose hooks- sort of like woodsy alexander mcqueen- at an antiques booth in San telmo- $16
lots of stationary, cards, etc.  Very nice stationary there.
white button down wrap top, dark green cardigan- from Paula Cahen D'anvers- about $50-$70, comparable to a preppier BCBG or something
Suede knot heels- maria cher- $150 - designer quality
llama tee dress, plaid flannel skirt- $35-$70- Maria Cher- LOVED this store
rust colored draped tube top- $35- rachel pally type designer
black Acne-esque jeans from a hipster mens store called Felix- $70- these would definitely have been $250 in the US
Avene diacneal was also cheaper there- about $20, and labello colored chapsticks were about $3 (almost $10 in nyc!)
Various gifts; wines, mate gourds, sunglasses...

Nothing i bought was dirt cheap but it was about half or a third the price of comparable quality in the US.  The thrift stores/antiques were amazing but can be extremelyyyyy expensive in San Telmo.  My roommate worked at Hermes and I wish i'd had her with me to authenticate but I'm damn near positive I saw an authentic vintage Birkin bag for $450.  I just didn't want to risk it if it wasn't real, but it was amazing looking and perfectly worn.  In retrospect, maybe I should have bought it because it was such a nice looking bag regardless, and the leather was beautiful on it.