CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Buffalo Exchange
730 E. Missouri Ave.,
Phoenix, 602-532-0144;
227 W. University Drive, Tempe, 480-968-2557,
buffaloexchange.com

You know it and love it as the place that takes bags and bags of your unwanted wardrobe in exchange for cash or trade. We also love it for the massive selection of both new and used fashions, especially a solid stockpile of jeans, shoes, vintage gear, jewelry and high-end labels. The Tempe location is popular with the college crowd while the central Phoenix spot sees more business types. Even if they won’t take your diss’d duds, they’ll donate them to local charities.


Bunky Boutique
812 N. Third St., Ste. 2, Phoenix, 602-252-1323,
bunkyboutique.com

Located in a renovated old house next door to the popular pub The Roosevelt, and a favorite stop along First Fridays art walks, Bunky Boutique has been getting local fashionistas addicted to its eclectic line of clothing and accessories for both men and women, which includes cute dresses, funky tops, adorable baby wear and locally made accessories. Befriend store owner Rachel Richards, and she’ll even give you the skinny on when new fashions hit the store. And don’t forget to pick up a cute hand-wrapped gift certificate for your friends.

Photo by Eric Cassée Butter Toast Boutique

Butter Toast Boutique
1028 NW Grand Ave., Ste. 4, Phoenix, 602-258-3458,
buttertoastboutique.com

Housed in a funky, growing enclave along Grand Avenue called Paisley Town, which is comprised of old Japanese internment houses from World War II, Butter Toast is buttering us up with its chic collection of vintage wear. Started by fashion lovers Jasmine Jarrett and Traci Nelson (pictured above, left and right) this small but sassy boutique is filled with cool shoes and boots, pretty dresses, covetable coats, vintage denim, men’s shirts and blazers and stylish vintage bags, luggage and jewelry.








Dressed Up Cat
Sold at multiple
Valley locations
dressedupcat.com

Part art, part accessory, these handbags are truly one-of-a-kind, made mostly from found materials and old leather. Local designer Tracy Penwell hand makes each bag and has been racking up the awards lately for her “up-cycled” creations that she calls “wearable art.” One example: a vintage caramel-colored suede tote adorned with tiny gold teacups, cleverly named “Care for Tea,” was selling online at press time for $185. You can also find her work at Rima Fine Art in Scottsdale and Kiss Me Kate Boutique in Phoenix.

Photo  by Christiaan Blok Here on the Corner

Here on the Corner
714 S. College Ave., Tempe,
480-377-0100,
hereonthecorner.com

Best for hip college cuties, Here on the Corner houses a great selection of shorts, sunglasses, denim, T-shirts, tops, dresses, jewelry, handbags and shoes out of a cozy boutique close to Arizona State University’s main campus in Tempe. Look for brands like BeBe Sport, Bungalow 360, Frankie B and People’s Liberation.


Joseph Schubach Jewelers
7150 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 250, Scottsdale,
480-946-6000,
shopping.-schubachstore.com

With a family that’s been in the jewelry business since 1910, it’s safe to say Joseph Schubach knows his stuff. Schubach’s father owned jewelry stores throughout the Phoenix area since the 1950s, and now Joe is following in his footsteps by creating custom designs for Valley shoppers using recycled metals and eco-friendly, lab-grown gemstones. You can even send the shop examples of jewelry designs you like, and the staff will re-create your coveted look using materials of your choice.


Love Child Style Exchange
1720 E. Warner Road,
Ste. 8, Tempe,
480-545-2868,
lovechildstyleaz.com

Think of it as a Buffalo Exchange for babies. Drop into this kid-friendly shop where you can buy, sell and trade stylish children’s clothing, including everything from onesies and dancewear to frilly holiday frocks and formal wear for every season. Toys, games, DVDs and books also are available.


Loveland Boutique
107 E. Baseline Road,
Ste. A3, Tempe,
480-456-8610,
lovelandaz.com

Hip mothers, listen up. Loveland is the boutique for the ultimate mommy-and-me shopping experience. You’ll find funky styles for women, men and children, as well as home goods and cool little handmade gifts. More than 40 percent of the merchandise is made in America, and at least 10 percent comes from local artisans. ASU students get an extra bonus of 10 percent off when they flash their school IDs, or you can get the same deal when you shop with the boutique’s reusable shopping bag.


Muse Apparel
742 E. Glendale Ave.,
Ste. 152, Phoenix,
602-749-8880,
shopatmuse.com

If you’re looking for a little bit of Soho in central Phoenix, you’ll find it at Muse, which features funky clothing and accessories for women. This is the place to find that one-of-a-kind dress, must-have handbag or perfectly fitting pair of jeans. The store also gives back to local organizations such as the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, Andre House and the American Heart Association, so it’s fashion you can feel good about.


My Sister’s Closet
Multiple Valley locations
mysisterscloset.com

Selling top-notch labels for fashionistas on a budget, My Sister’s Closet has cornered the market on what it deems the three “Cs” of consignment shopping: cute, clean and current. Open since 1991, the flagship store in the Town and Country Shopping Center in Phoenix has expanded to include four locations in Scottsdale, Phoenix and Chandler. You’ll find simple but stylish separates from designers such as Gucci, Armani, Dior and Chanel, as well as high-end couture, ballroom-worthy dresses and plenty of accessories. You can also bring your own stylish pieces in for cash or in-store credit.


The Rowdy Boutique
4717 N. Seventh St.,
Phoenix, 602-277-0510,
therowdyboutique.com

You can thank best friends, Phoenix natives and business partners Kristin Dus and Melissa Owens for helping to turn the central corridor into a funky hub for shopping. With the motivation to mimic the charm of central Phoenix’s historic neighborhoods, Dus and Owens opened Rowdy in 2007, offering hip fashions, from funky cocktail dresses to cool, casual shirts. Everyone from stylish stay-at-home moms to business professionals to high school kids are seen milling about this charming boutique.


Saracina Designs
3116 S. Mill Ave., Ste. 108, Tempe, 480-491-0676,
saracinadesigns.com

It doesn’t get more local than this. Local artist Sara Cina creates cute, fashionable designs that then get silk-screened by hand (by a local screen printer) onto cotton tees made only in America. Cina’s designs are more casual-cute than high-end hip, so this is the place to stock up on comfortable shirts; they’re available for men and women of every age, including babies and toddlers, as well as for your pooch.


Schmitt Jewelers
539 E. Glendale Ave.,
Phoenix, 602-279-1300,
schmittjewelers.com

For nearly 40 years, the Schmitt family has owned and operated this jewelry store, offering custom work, several designer lines, the finest diamonds, appraisals and watch repair, among a dozen other services. The family operated out of its 16th Street and Bethany Home Road location for 33 years but now greets clients (including many second- and third-generation customers) from its facility at Seventh Street and Glendale Avenue. Brothers Tom and Tim Schmitt run the shop now.


Shop Devious Beauty Lounge & Boutique
1229 NW Grand Ave.,
Phoenix, 602-330-5794,
shopdevious.com

OK, so it’s not in the prettiest part of town, but what this funky little shop lacks in location, it more than makes up for in style. Look for an eclectic collection of vintage clothing, furniture and accessories; overstock clothing and name brands; plenty of bright wigs and other costume/party wear; and a random but fun assortment of shoes, hats, scarves and home goods (anyone need a gong?). The boutique also boasts a large collection of local artists’ work and is active in First Fridays and other community events. A little lounge with free Wi-Fi sits in the center of it all.