Buenos Aires - Argentina - page 139

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sportswear at r easonable prices. O pen Monday to S aturday from 11am to 8:30pm and
Sunday 3 to 8pm, though hours will v ary in summer. El Salvador 4657, at Armenia. & 11/
4833-0730. www.lupeba.com.ar. No metro access.
Mancini Finds While women can shop ' til they dr op with the mind-boggling
number of choices in B uenos Aires, most clothing stor es in Argentina tend to hav e a
limited selection of interesting men's clothing. Mancini, a chain with men's and women's
clothing, is an exception to the rule. This branch, in Palermo Viejo, offers chic clothing,
with an emphasis on black. E ither because they are unfriendly or simply jaded, the staff
generally leaves shoppers in this stor e on their o wn, not follo wing them ar ound as in
other stores in the city. Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8:30pm, Sunday 11am
to 7pm. Honduras 5140, btw. Thames and Uriarte. & 11/4832-7570. No metro access.
Maria Cher This boutique is a wor k of ar t in itself , with its glass-and-steel con-
struction and its own interior bamboo garden. Maria Chernajovky's store has an empha-
sis on dresses and leather coats and other leather clothing. It's a perfect spot for a woman
looking for mature, fashionable clothing with a more sophisticated air. Open Monday to
Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and S unday 2pm to 7:30pm, though hours will v ary in
summer. El Salvador 4724, at Armenia. & 11/4833-4736. www.maria-cher.com.ar. No metr o
access.
Mishka Shoes Finds If you're a woman with a shoe fetish, head to this small
boutique in Palermo Soho. It's not cheap by any means—prices range up to $500 (£338)
for S warovski C rystal beaded sandals and other unique handmade footw ear—but it 's
definitely a place to splurge. All the shoes are made in Argentina, and custom-made sizes
and details can also be arranged. If your spouse or partner gets bored, make him wait on
the long white settee, while you drool over the selection. Open Monday to Saturday from
11am to 8:30pm. El Salvador 4673, at Armenia. & 11/4833-6566. www.mishkashoes.com. No
metro access.
Nana Lou Finds Mariana Lopez O sornio o wns this small boutique in the Las
Cañitas area of P alermo for which she has designed much of the clothing. P retty and
feminine is the r ule here, and many designs also come fr om Italy. Jewelry is also par t of
the offerings. Open late, this is a good shopping option if y ou happen to be dining on
Calle Báez, which is much better known for its restaurants than its stores. Open Sunday
through Friday from noon to 1am, Saturday from noon to 2am. Calle Báez 283, at Arévalo.
& 11/4772-7826. www.mlo.com.ar. Metro: Carranza.
Planeta Bs As More a collection of stor es than one stor e, Planeta Bs As was
started by fashion journalist Claudia Jara. Young designers she interviewed after the peso
crisis kept asking her how they can show their designs when they had no money to open
a boutique. Claudia answ ered their questions b y opening this space. You'll find maybe
50 vendors offering clothes, primarily for women, with a few men's items thrown in too.
Hours and selection, of course, will v ary by designer. Nearby, Claudia also opened Dis-
eño Bs As, at Jorge Luis Borges 1613, and Diseño Arg, at Honduras 5033, each off Plaza
Serrano. Open Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 9pm, and S aturday and Sunday 2 to
9pm. Jorge Luis Borges 1627, at Plaza Serrano. & 11/4832-2006. www.mujermilenio.com.ar and
www.vol.com.ar. No metro access.
Polo Ralph Lauren This is the Buenos Aires branch of the famous American luxury
retailer. You will find slightly lo wer prices her e than in N orth America or E urope. The
building, an old turn-of-the-20th-century Art Nouveau mansion, is also a reason to come
shopping her e: The ornate wooden trim and balustrades r

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emain, and a stained-glass