Double Duty, Argentine Style

Unlike some places—ahem, Europa, I'm talking to you—the dollar goes far in Argentina. So, when we hit the Palemero district of Buenos Aires, we knew we'd find some serious as a car crash deals. And right we were!

The Palermo Hollywood section of the neighborhood was lined with leather goods stores. (And even though I wanted to say it every time I saw a H-O-double T pair of booties, I deeply refrained from the "Hello, Lover" comment.)

The Palermo Queens area was mostly rehabbed warehouse spaces and artists lofts. But it was Palermo Soho that was the most interesting to yours truly. ¿Por que? You ask? Well, it took me a while to figure it out…but many of these stores are actually bars. And by bars, I mean honest to all goodness alcohol drinking establishments.

The merchandise hung on rolling racks lining the perimeter of the 'stores' and the bathrooms double as changing rooms. Some of the places had accessories displayed on cloth-covered pool tables. But the best part—the majority of the merchandise is locally made with the designers sitting there and answering any questions. I nabbed a coolio pair of deep purple ankle boots for less than the cost of my fave mascara and my pal picked up enough silk-screened Ts to outfit an army.

Oh and one more thing, in case you are wondering—no there isn't a Palermo Vegas or Palermo Bronx. Happy Hunting.