Charleston Shopping: Best Spots for Shopping in Charleston
The Holy City may be known for the many church steeples that grace its landscape. Yet it’s also a mecca for shoppers as much as it is for history and food buffs. Charleston shopping has a lot to offer.
Luckily, you don’t even need to stray too far from the Downtown Charleston shopping area to find unique souvenirs and gifts. From Charleston boutiques to outlets to King Street shopping, you’ll find a wide variety of shopping in Charleston.
There’s also plenty of fashion for every budget and taste — so you’ll probably be able to find something you’ll be able to enjoy even before you head back home.
** If you are interested in learning more about Charleston’s rich history, neighborhoods, architecture and hearing local recommendations during your visit, we suggest going on our Charleston History Tour, as a fantastic supplement to our shopping guide below!
Charleston Shopping
This Charleston shopping list is organized by the distance from the city center. If you don’t have access to a car, the Charleston City Market, King Street Charleston shopping and the Shops at Belmond offer miles of shopping — right in the heart of Charleston. If you’re heading over to Mount Pleasant or Patriots Point during your trip, be sure to a stop at the Old Village for locally-owned Charleston boutiques.
Or, if you’re driving, head to the Outlets in Charleston, SC, Tanger Outlets (a little further away in North Charleston) for even more high-end retail — at a fraction of the store prices.
Downtown Charleston Shopping: Charleston City Market
Best Souvenirs
You don’t need to travel far to find some of the most authentic gifts and souvenirs in Charleston. In fact, our favorite spot for Downtown Charleston shopping, the historic Charleston City Market, has a huge selection of gifts, home goods and crafts — all in a historic setting.
This candy and nostalgia store is one of the many food stalls in the market. Here, you’ll find local sweets — as well as candies you probably haven’t seen since you were a kid.
Throughout the market, you’ll find Charleston’s famous sweetgrass baskets. These baskets are a part of Charleston’s culture, and their history goes back over 300 years. These Gullah baskets have been made by women in Charleston for centuries and originated in West Africa. If you want to share a piece of Charleston history with your friends and family back home, this is the place to start.
You’ll also find tons of home goods, art and crafts for sale in the Charleston City Market. These storefronts sell goods that range from furniture to candles to textiles. This is a great place to find handmade art and jewelry!
King Street Charleston Shopping
High-End Retail in Historic Setting
If you’re looking more for a gift for yourself than a souvenir for friends and family, King Street Charleston shopping offers over 10 blocks of stores in a charming setting. Here, you’re just as likely to find a small boutique as you are midrange and high-end commercial retail.
Not far from Downtown Charleston shopping, King Street is a short walk from most hotels.
Some of our favorite stores include:
This high-end women’s clothing store is a South Carolina favorite. Here you’ll find fashion-forward designers, such as Stella McCartney and Phillip Lim. They also specialize in shoes, handbags and accessories. There’s even a bar inside. Because shopping can really work up a thirst.
Why should women get all the fun? M. Dumas & Sons has been selling high-end men’s clothing since 1917. Lowcountry gentlemen know that the key to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but the key to a woman’s? A well-dressed man. Everything you need to be just as dapper as a Charlestonian can be found here.
The Shops at Belmond
Best High-End Shopping Mall
Facebook: The Shops at Belmond Charleston Place
Another one of our favorite Downtown Charleston shopping spots is the Charleston Place. Sometimes you just need to get thee to a mall to get thy shopping done. The Shops at the Charleston Place feature high-end stores, such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Tommy Bahama. Located in a 17th-century hotel that’s as high end as the shops it houses, the mall is a great place to escape the Charleston sun and surround yourself in luxury for a few hours. When you need a break, head to Meeting at the Market for a cocktail and a snack.
Mount Pleasant Old Village: Charleston Boutiques
Best Charleston Boutiques
Facebook post: Ooh Events and Out of Hand
If you’re heading across the Ravenel Bridge, you might want to stop in Mount Pleasant Old Village — even if you’ve already dropped from shopping. This historic neighborhood features some of the quaintest shops and ephemera on Pitt Street — including an old pharmacy and soda fountain that’s the perfect place to take a break from all your browsing.
When you’re ready to start hitting the racks again, we recommend:
Sometimes the best finds aren’t at the huge chain stores. One of our favorite Charleston boutiques, Butterfly Consignments, carries all your favorite high-end brands at a fraction of the tag price. Their clothes are all “gently worn,” which means they’ll still feel new to you.
This shabby chic clothing and accessory store is a favorite of Charlestonians and visitors alike. In addition to their clothing, they also have a decent selection of home goods and nicknacks that make great souvenirs.
Wearing fancy hats to events is — well, old hat — for Charlestonians. If you want to look as fancy as you feel, head to Marsh and Magnolia for some of the most stylish Sunday Best accessories. Support a Charleston small business and stop by for a custom, handmade hat that is sure to be one of a kind.
Outlets in Charleston, SC: Tanger Outlets
Serious shoppers — you know who you are — just skip to the outlets in Charleston, SC, called Tanger Outlets. While this outlet mall is a little further from downtown than the rest of the shops on this list, it’s worth it. You can snag this year’s fashions at a fraction of the cost — usually 30 percent off the retail price just for buying it at the outlet.
One of the best parts of the Charleston outlets? The mall is mostly outside, so you won’t be missing out on any of that gorgeous South Carolina sun while you’re there.