4 Best Shopping in San Antonio, Texas

A San Antonio fashion staple for more than 46 years, this family-owned business is now run by the third-generation owner. It's a beautiful store bursting with color and textures selling a brilliant array of women's fashions that reflect local flair and culture. Over the years the store has expanded into select home decor as well as jewelry, accessories, and gifts. The staff is welcoming and helpful, but it can get busy so plan on plenty of time to browse and take it all in. 

How to explain a guayabera? Although it is traditionally known as a men's button-down pleated shirt originating in Cuba, it has gained popularity in Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and here in South Texas where natural fabrics like cotton and linen breathe best in the heat. Designer Caroline Matthews has over 30 years of experience in fitting, designing, and creating custom guayaberas. The process starts with selecting a fabric, then you choose a style, sleeve length, color, and the kind of fit. Each shirt takes at least four to six weeks to complete. The shop does quite a bit of designing for weddings, where smartly tailored guayaberas are more relaxed than tuxedos. The store also carries a selection of ready-made guayaberas and other guayabera-wear, including robes and drawstring pajamas.

Stylish women's wear is just the beginning here. Niche carries an impressive collection of handbags, hats, loungewear, scarves, and bandanas as well as kids' clothing, swimwear, and blankets. For the home, pick up glassware, dish towels, home fragrances, cards, gifts, and tea-time items. The coolest part of the store is Stitch at Niche, a curated fabric shop and project space, where you can buy striking textiles by the yard, unique buttons and trims, and DIY kits for embroidery, tapestry weaving, and cross-stitch. 

Upscale boutiques, especially in tony neighborhoods like Alamo Heights, can be intimidating, but there's no such vibe in this jewel of a find in the Uptown Alamo Heights Center. It's cozy space, but the multicategory store is comfortably filled with a wide variety of designer offerings in women's high-end fashion, perfumes, limited edition books, greeting cards, home accessories, gifts, and antiques. The fine artisan jewelry is irresistible—whatever you choose for that perfect gift, you will absolutely want one for yourself. Everything is beautifully displayed, and customer service is attentive and helpful.