STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

katieacoakl · Nine West

New Orleans Shopping

Kitty · Hermes

Whoa..weird. I'm going to be there the first week of Nov., too. Do you happen to be going for a conference?

Hermes

I don't have any first hand experience, but I found this info on about.com:

French Quarter

First up is New Orleans' French Quarter. Most people only think of it as a place to eat and, of course, drink. But, if all you know of the French Quarter is Bourbon Street, you're missing a lot. There's great shopping in the French Quarter. There are antique stores and art galleries on Royal Street and clothes, shoes and jewelry on Chartres. Take a walk down Decatur Street for more affordable gifts.

For affordable original art don't pass up the street venders abound Jackson Square and behind the St. Louis Cathedral. The artists often work while you watch and are willing to haggle on price.

Warehouse/Arts District

If art is on your list, try Julia Street in the Warehouse District for Contemporary Art. And while you're in this district take a break from shopping to visit the Contemporary Arts Center, the Odgen Museum of Southern art, or the National D-Day Museum. All three museums are within one block of each other on Camp Street, just around the corner from Julia Street. All three museums have great gift shops for a fun place to find a unique gift.

Riverwalk Marketplace

If you really need a mall, walk to the end of Canal Street, a short walk from the French Quarter there you will find the Riverwalk Marketplace. The mall is along the Mississippi River and is not your ordinary mall. It houses may small, unique shops like the Doll Cottage where you'll find porcelain dolls, wooden marionettes and other great gifts for kids. Try Fleur D'Orleans for jewelry with a New Orleans theme, or Pure Amber for a fine collection of Baltic Amber jewelry and other merchandise. The Riverwalk contains primarily boutiques, but there are also many of the usual mall haunts like Gap and Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and Victoria's Secret. What makes shopping at the Riverwalk so much fun is its location, right on the riverfront, and the strolling jazz bands that entertain you while you shop.

Canal Place

Another more traditional mall is located at the end of the French Quarter on Canal Street. Canal Place has high end stores like Saks, Brooks Brothers and Coach. But it also has a great store called Rhino (Right here in New Orleans) where you can find great gifts from local artists.

Magazine Street

Magazine Street is always a favorite with over six miles of shops and restaurants. You can find just about anything you're looking for on Magazine Street, including apparel for the whole family, antiques, art, home furnishings, jewelry, and fine stationery. Try the Magazine Antique Mall at 3017 Magazine for great finds. This building houses the oldest and largest antique shop on the street. It has many small stalls where individual venders rent space. So the variety of items for sale is endless. And, the inventory is constantly changing as the venders are moving out and in all the time. Some of the items I've found there include an antique clock ($150.00) and a crystal punch bowl with 12 glasses ($100.00).

laken1 · Hermes

It won't get cold at all. To be honest it's hard to predict what it will be like then - right now it's 60-70-80s during the day & 50s-60s at night? Not cold at all if you are used to DC. I don't live there anymore but we would typically wear shorts up to Thanksgiving. I'd say check right before you go down but I'd prepare to dress like you do for fall in DC - no heavy jacket required.

Here is the 10 day which includes Nov 2
http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/sports/tenday/USLA0338?from=month_topnav_sports

-- Edited by laken1 at 18:17, 2006-10-24

Prissy · Dooney & Bourke

I live here in New Orleans. I was actually down in the French Quarter over the weekend. As far as shopping the French Quarter has so many great little botique shops. As far as Canal Place and the Riverwalk shopping centers not all the stores have reopened since Katrinia. I know for fact that not very much is open in the Riverwalk so I would not waste your time going there. Canal Place has quite a few stores open but Sak's is not opening until mid-november. Don't forget to walk down to the French Market. Let me know if you have any questions.

llegs · BCBG

I second the French Market (a little walk down from Cafe du Monde, if I'm not mistaken). It was hands down my absolute favorite shopping in all of New Orleans. Variety, bargains, great stuff. Jewelry, music, clothes, etc. I got a really beautiful hand dyed and sewn tote bag for $8 that I always get a lot of compliments on. Also, some amber earrings and a carved, silver ring. Man, I wish I was there.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

chartes and royal street in the french quarter is where all the boutiques are. Not sure which ones are open back up and which ones are closed. Just be careful while you are down there.

laken1 · Hermes

I thought about that I didn't answer about the shopping & remembered the french market about 5:00 this morning - so sad. I love going there - it can be trinkety but I have gotten some great costume jewelry there. I also love walking up & down Royal - just stop in stores even if you think you aren't interested - such unique stuff & fun to look at.

I don't really dig the Riverwalk or Jax Brewery - it's more main stream stores peppered with touristy stores - I think it's fun to look at but not serious shopping. I just don't like going to a new town & visiting The Gap, you know?

And please please please go eat here
http://www.clovergrill.com/
The later the better (like 3 am is perfect). It is the most fun I ever have when I'm in NO. It's the only place I've ever seen a waiter sing "Milkshake" & really mean it.

If the juke box isn't playing, please play something.

halah · Kenneth Cole

French Market! They do have great silver jewelry and other trinkets. Around Jackson square there are some neat art shops and then tons of boutiques like the other girls mentioned. Last time I was there I found a store that had authentic iron-ons from the 70's which was neat and a goth store where I got a cute tank with a skull on it, I think it was called Gargoyles or maybe it just had a gargoyle on the front. The french quater is the best place to wander who knows what you'll find, have fun!

katieacoakl · Nine West

Thanks so much, i am not going for a conference, just to visit a friend and will have alot of time on my hands. It sounds like the French Market is where i want to be. I am going to print this out. When one person says "be careful" is it safe during the day?