City Spotlight: the art of shopping in mexico city
House of Cuca's original Tulum boutique, photographed by Anna Sullivan (Unsplash). Though the storefront has since closed, it remains one of the most beautifully curated retail spaces I've encountered—and the inspiration for this guide.
WARNING: shopping in Mexico City can be dangerous. Not in a fear-for-your-safety sense—more like a fear-for-your-wallet-becoming-significantly-lighter sense. There are almost too many beautiful boutiques, amazing markets, and interesting street finds that you may have trouble controlling your spending. However, this journal is about empowering readers to purchase with intention, support local artisans, and buy things that bring joy to life. In the spirit of that, I will outline some of my favorite places to shop in and around Mexico City.
Onora
Located in the heart of Polanco, ONORA was created to highlight and promote Mexican artisans and traditional craftsmanship. The shop is filled with beautiful textiles, furniture, decorations, and ceramics all made by hand and using quality materials. This store is like a portal into a splendorous upscale Mexican market where you can tell that every item is made with love and care. ONORA works with a collective of artisans to ensure that traditional Mexican handcrafts are safeguarded and that the artisans behind them are treated with dignity, paid fairly, and able to work in safe conditions.
Olivine
Oh Olivine, what a treat you are. This boutique beauty concept store is located in Polanquito inside an impressive old-fashioned Mexican mansion. It is kind of like the Violet Grey of Mexico City (IYKYK), it has an array of high-end skincare and beauty products. Everything is exceptionally curated and they have a great mix of functional/science driven brands, as well as many natural/clean beauty labels. Looking on the shelves you will find the likes of: Westman Atelier, Dr. Barbara Sturm, RMS Beauty, Kosas, U Beauty, Augustinus Bader, Goop and more. Depending on your budget this might fit the bill for a window shopping only kind of visit. Real talk: the price point for many of these brands are on the higher side. Regardless, Olivine always provides a lovely shopping experience and is my go to for luxury beauty products.
pROYECTO RUFINA & La Bodega Rufina
Proyecto Rufina and La Bodega by Rufina are hands down my favorite places to find clothing and everyday homewares. The philosophy and practices behind the Rufina stores are built upon an ethos of beauty, functionality, and sustainability. The clothing they produce and carry are all made in small batches and from ecological and natural materials such as cotton, linen, and wool. I also love the aesthetic this brand embodies, which is trend forward but classic at the same time. Meaning, you can buy items that look current and fashionable but that will also age well and take up a home in your closet for years to come. Additionally, the price point for all their items are reasonable, not cheap, but given the quality I would say very fair. The Proyecto Rufina brand has several locations across the Mexico City area and primarily houses the clothing, shoes, and accessories. While the new La Bodega store (located in Condesa) spotlights their housewares and has everything from candles, to ceramics, to napkins, plates, cups, lamps, vases, and more. Overall, I would say both Proyecto Rufina and La Bodega are Mexican spirited stores that have universal appeal.
Nue casa
Nue Casa formerly Nu [ Casa a Refill a Granel] is a store that sells cleaning and personal care products in bulk that you can refill as needed. They aim to reduce plastic waste by offering refillable glass bottles or the option to bring your own container. Products are sold on a per weight basis (and the container is a separate cost or you bring your own). I also find the aesthetic of this shop enjoyable, it is a like a little ecological house that has large jars of different colored liquid conocotions lining the walls: a little sciencey, a little whimsical. Additionally, a few of the locations also house a dried flower market inside the store, which displays beautiful arrangements of dried and fresh flowers to brighten up your home. So whether you are looking to brighten, detox, cleanse, or overhaul your personal/home routine with sustainable products this might be the perfect Nue place to try?
Whitman
Whitman is a Colombian born slow fashion brand that focuses on making garments in an intentional manner and in a way that will ensure their products stand the test of time. They have a sensibility that mixes high and low fashion. Expertly nailing the luxury meets approachable meets rustic vibe. I personally believe their outwear category is especially strong. I have two coats from them that I love, they are both gorgeous dressed up or down. Additionally, this is a brand where we cannot forget the men’s side. In fact, their men’s clothing dare I say … is even stronger than the women’s?! Rounding out the conversation, the founders of this company do not shy away from the sustainability points and recognize the tremendous responsibility they have as a company to ensure they properly address the social, financial, and ecological aspects of garment production. They don’t appear to have all the answers, but they do appear to willing to learn and determined to do the best they can.
LAGO
The store bills itself as "the temple of Latin American design and style," and after wandering through its thoughtfully curated collection of accessories, homewares, fashion, and artisan objects, it's easy to see why. Every item feels precious or like you’ve discovered a hidden treasure. Their collection is unique, elevated, and design forward. I always enjoy seeing what they have on display and letting myself feel inspired. Good stores leave space for wonder, leave space for imagination, and leave space for delighting in the unexpected. So drop in to find your latest treasure or maybe just for a dose of daily inspiration.
Alcachofa y romero
When you enter Alcachofa y Romero you are greeted by a bunch of verdant houseplants that seem to smile at you in their own leafy way. As you move further into the store you become aware this not just any store but a very local store that wants to provide the community with a space that offers eco-friendly options as a lifestyle choice. You can find everything from bamboo toilet paper to hand sewn ipad covers. I particularly like their green beauty products and nontoxic deodorant. This store feels high end without breaking the bank and also fits seamlessly into the Condesa hip vibe. Who knew shopping sustainable could feel so cool?
From the archives: House of cuca tulum
Editor’s note: This guide is dedicated to Mexico City, but I couldn't resist making one small detour. While researching this article, I became completely captivated by House of Cuca's original Tulum boutique—a beautifully curated space that celebrated contemporary Mexican craftsmanship through fashion, home décor, artisan objects, and coffee. Sadly, the boutique has since closed, RIP, but it remains one of the most inspiring retail spaces I've come across and perfectly embodies the kind of intentional shopping this guide hopes to celebrate.