Ever found yourself in Buenos Aires needing a warm jacket or a trendy accessory and not knowing where to shop? Every foreigner visiting Buenos Aires is likely to need or want to buy clothes during their stay.
But choosing the most crowded or expensive spots doesn’t guarantee the best deals. On ExpatPathways, we reveal the best places for buying clothes in Buenos Aires for every budget.
This article will help you discover not only where to find what you need but also which options best suit your priorities, whether it’s price, quality, convenience, or something else. Get ready to shop smart and stylishly during your visit.
Key Tips for Buying Clothes in Buenos Aires
Clothing Quality
In Buenos Aires, you can find clothing stores of all levels and brands. From the most globally recognized to designer products from small shops where the owner is also the designer.
Of course, the quality of clothing ranges from high-quality garments to products that may get damaged after the first wash. In between these two extremes, you’ll find clothes that offer a good balance of quality and price.
The Importance of Exploring and Comparing Prices
For Argentinians, clothing is one of the most challenging goods to acquire. Although it might seem cheap for a foreigner, the average Argentine budget (or median salary) makes buying clothes a luxury in some cases.
Therefore, we recommend not validating prices you find excessive. Visit stores, shopping centers, and markets to evaluate where the best prices are and identify opportunities. Perhaps, for a little less money and a few more minutes of walking, you can find the clothes you need at a reasonable price.
E-commerce vs. Physical Stores
Buying clothes through e-commerce platforms is quite common in Buenos Aires. Remember that Mercado Libre is the most important e-commerce platform, not only in Argentina but also in other Latin American countries. Therefore, it makes sense that more and more clothing purchases are made there.
But how do you know if the clothes you’re about to buy online will fit you? Unfortunately, even if you check the measurements specified by the seller (if they offer them), you won’t know until the product is in your hands.
If you need to try on clothes and look at yourself in a mirror, it’s best to go to physical stores. On the other hand, Mercado Libre or the virtual stores that many clothing shops have, offer a convenient and easy option without leaving your home. On Mercado Libre, remember that your money is protected until the product arrives and you express your satisfaction.
About Cheap Clothes
Due to slightly higher-than-usual restrictions on importing clothes in Argentina, the average prices in this sector are somewhat high.
For this reason, many people turn to street markets or areas where second-hand brands and affordable clothing are sold. Of course, in this “not-so-transparent” universe, counterfeits are common.
“Cheap ends up being expensive” is a good way to describe the possible consequences of buying cheap clothes in Buenos Aires. Generally, the areas where these conditions are met are commercial streets in the Central-South of Buenos Aires, as well as in fairs, parks, and popular markets.
Buying Clothes in Buenos Aires: The Best Places for Every Budget
Shopping Malls
When looking for branded and guaranteed quality clothing, regardless of the price, shopping malls come into view.
Buenos Aires has large shopping malls such as Abasto Shopping, Alto Palermo, Alcorta Mall, DOT Baires, and many more.
In Buenos Aires shopping malls, you can explore several floors with stores selling elegant, casual, sports, women’s, men’s, and even mountaineering clothing. Naturally, these places have higher prices depending on the mall’s location.
Pedestrian Streets
Pedestrian streets in Buenos Aires are highly frequented by tourists, foreigners, and consumers. The most well-known are Florida and Lavalle, located in downtown Buenos Aires, as well as their surroundings.
Why do we highlight pedestrian streets as places to buy clothes? Because you’ll find big brands and clothing stores, similar to what a shopping mall can offer. In terms of prices, they may not be very cheap, considering these areas are not only crowded but also visited by foreigners.
Shopping Galleries
Shopping galleries resemble shopping malls but are much smaller in scale. Some are selection galleries, meaning they offer the highest quality products, while others provide a mix of prices.
In Buenos Aires, you’ll find shopping galleries in San Telmo, the downtown area, Palermo, and Belgrano. Their main advantage is less crowding compared to a shopping mall, pedestrian street, or the street itself.
As for observations or things to consider, shopping galleries are not abundant in Buenos Aires and are paradoxically located in high-traffic pedestrian areas.
Outlet Areas
Outlet areas are parts of Buenos Aires where brand stores, individual designer shops, and other affordable options coexist.
Here, you’ll find not only quality and branded clothing but also seasonal sales and off-season alternatives with excellent value for money.
One of the most notable areas is between the neighborhoods of Villa Crespo and Palermo. The streets in both neighborhoods, centered around Avenida Córdoba, are filled with clothing stores offering discounts and good prices.
Other similar areas are in the neighborhood of Flores (Avellaneda Street) and the neighborhood of Once (Balvanera), although here the brand and individual designer stores give way to establishments with counterfeit and popular products.
Popular Markets
Finally, we refer to popular markets. These are usually street areas in neighborhoods like Once (Balvanera), Flores, and Liniers, as well as flea markets in parks, plazas, and other fairs. There, you’ll find everything from second-hand clothes to brand replicas and imported products from China.
The general rule in these markets is “buy a lot at an affordable price.” That’s why you’ll see massive crowds of people browsing the stores and leaving with several bags. Additionally, these places are frequented by residents of Buenos Aires Province and other less affluent areas, either in Buenos Aires or other provinces, looking to buy warm clothing or clothes at a low price.
Of course, these types of markets are not ideal when you’re looking for quality or branded clothing, nor if you’re interested in finding clothing from individual designers as in the case of outlet areas and pedestrian streets.
Last Considerations
Have you decided where to buy clothes in Buenos Aires for every budget yet? Armed with the tips and insights from ExpatPathways, you’re now ready to navigate the vibrant shopping scene in Buenos Aires.
Whether you’re looking for high-quality brands in shopping malls, exploring the eclectic options in pedestrian streets, or hunting for bargains in popular markets, there’s something for everyone.
Remember, the key is to find the best balance between price, quality, and convenience to suit your needs as a digital nomad, traveler, or expat. Happy shopping and enjoy your stylish adventure in Buenos Aires!
(Featured Image Source: Artem Beliaikin/unsplash.com)
