For clothes-lovers, Novato and the surrounding area makes a great destination for a shopping-filled vacation. From unique pieces to unbelievable bargains, popular must-haves and designer items, there’s something to suit every taste.
Isobelle Moores
Isobelle Moores is a student and fashionista, visiting Novato from Europe. Isobelle enjoys travel, music and shopping.
Unique and eclectic — Downtown Novato
Downtown Novato is home to some well-curated boutiques full of cherry-picked clothing, creating a distinct shopping experience. Oneiric Boutique stocks popular brands of ladies’ clothing as well as pieces from local, independent designers, and also sells shoes, jewelry, bags, accessories, and organic soy candles. Another great find is A Closet Affair, which sells new and gently-worn consignment items – the ideal choice for the eco-friendly fashion recycler. On their website they say they are “putting the fun back into fashion” which sums up the store perfectly. My last pick is Accents which showcases contemporary styles that won’t break the bank. After all this shopping, if you realize your stomach is rumbling, head to one of Grant Avenue’s diverse selection of eateries for something tasty to eat. My favorite is Rustic Bakery. Happy shopping!
Bargains, bargains, bargains — Vintage Oaks Shopping Center
Choosing the best bargains at Vintage Oaks is certainly a challenge, when you consider there are over 35 stores to choose from, including many that can’t be found anywhere else in Marin County. However, Marshalls is definitely contending for the top spot, offering incredible reductions on popular brands including Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Free People. Also in the running is DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse), which offers spectacular savings on brands like Steve Madden, BCBG and Nine West. In addition, Vintage Oaks features retailers like Target, Ross and Old Navy. There’s also Francesca’s, which can be summed up in three words: bohemian, bright and eclectic. For makeup lovers, Sephora is the perfect spot for stocking up on make-up and beauty needs.
Designer Brands Galore — The Village at Corte Madera
If you love designer brands and luxury labels, The Village in nearby Corte Madera is definitely worth a visit. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Novato, and has lots of free parking. You can find athletic wear from Lululemon or effortlessly bohemian threads at Free People. The Village is also home to Anthropologie, featuring beautiful clothing, jewelry and accessories, interesting books and gorgeous homewares. Madewell is definitely worth a visit, and you can guarantee that something will grab your eye. Browsing many different high quality labels is, of course, made easy at Nordstrom, and If you want to get a technology fix, the Village also features Marin County’s only Apple Store.
