Everything You Need To Know About Shopping In Nashville
Music City isn’t all Honky Tonk and Barbecue; Tennessee’s largest city is home to a burgeoning fashion scene and has some of the best shopping in the country. There are a variety of lanes you can take when shopping in Nashville. There are numerous country-western stores for anyone looking to pick up an outfit with local flavor. There are also amazing vintage stores, record stores, and other fun and quirky shopping destinations. Because Nashville is the center of the country music industry, there are many famous celebrities who call Nashville home. Because of this, there are many high-end fashion designers based in Nashville, and their boutiques are scattered throughout the various neighborhoods.
The shopping scene in East Nashville should be one of your top destinations. You’ll find some of the best designer stores here, but there are also excellent stores in 12 South, Hillsboro Village, Downtown, and the Gulch. While there are many distinct areas for shopping in Nashville, the city is easy to navigate, so you can definitely visit a few of these destinations. And don't forget to drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Nashville to make your trip easier.
The Best Spots for Nashville Shopping
Opry Mills
Opry Mills is the largest shopping center in Tennessee and one of the biggest shopping malls in the country. Located just outside the city center, between I-40 and I-65, this outlet mall has some of the state’s best value retail, shopping, dining, and entertainment options. It’s more of a driving destination, but that’s perfect for anyone who is driving in and out of town because the options are as good as it gets. It’s highly accessible to downtown, and only a few minutes away from Nashville International Airport.
There are over 200 stores, including many of your familiar favorites. The real value that Opry Mills brings to the table would be the selections at these stores, which, because they are the flagship branches in the state, tend to have the best selection, all at outlet prices. All of your childhood favorite restaurants are there as well, including the legendary Rainforest Cafe and Johnny Rockets. Opry Mills also has a ton of entertainment options (which are clutch if the weather isn’t cooperating during your trip) including an IMAX Theater and Dave & Buster’s.
Music Valley Village
This open-air shopping center is a breath of fresh air from most other mall experiences. It’s located across the street from the Gaylord Opryland Resort, and you’ll find some unique shopping experiences like Jae’s Gem Mine and Music Valley Antiques. If you’re done shopping and want to be entertained, there are the Nashville Nightlife Dinner and Texas Troubadour Theatres if you want to make an evening of it!
The Mall at Green Hills
Just over three miles away from downtown Nashville, this mall has over 100 stores throughout this sprawling indoor space. You’ll find the top luxury designer brands from international fixtures. While this may seem like every other mall in the country, the Mall at Green Hills is actually located in the center of one of Nashville’s coolest neighborhoods. It’s a solid option to stop by when you’re in the area, and it’s worth exploring the other aspects of the neighborhood when you’re there. The complimentary WiFi is a nice touch if you want to get some work done mid-shopping spree.
Nashville Designer Stores
Eric Adler
This award-winning designer is famous for his stylish line of menswear. This is among the most upscale boutiques in Nashville, and many of these hand-made pieces are one-of-a-kind or extremely limited run. Adler’s custom-tailored suits, tastemaking shirts, and trousers all use the finest American-made fabrics and materials. You can find his boutique sandwiched between Music Row and Belmont University.
Lucchese Boots
This is one of the most famous design houses in Nashville. Their handcrafted (literally made by hand) boots are of the highest quality, and the brand is world-famous for its reliability. Their brick-and-mortar storefront recently opened in the trendy Gulch neighborhood. If you’re planning on spending more time in Nashville, it might be time to invest in some high-quality cowboy boots!
Hero
This 12th Avenue boutique has been a favorite of Nashville royalty Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, and Tim McBride for more than 15 years. Her edgy brand has an Old Hollywood feel to it, so you better be willing to stick your neck out with some of these looks. Fortunately, the small but well-curated selection will have a “Hero” piece of clothing for just about everyone,
ABLE
This hip boutique’s M.O. is fashion for the greater good. They ethically source goods and materials from women producers from around the world. This means that the women working on these goods are paid a livable wage and that the supply chain is as responsible as possible. Their sleek and minimal aesthetic is extremely fashionable. With the social justice mission of the store, shoppers can feel good about themselves as well as how they look!
Apple & Oak
Located in East Nashville, this is a stalwart of cutting-edge home decor. The store itself is designed so that it replicates the rooms of a home, creating a totally unique energy throughout the retail space. Apple & Oak sells new and vintage pieces of furniture, art, and other upscale home decor pieces. This space has Nashville’s best selection of Turkish rugs, among other luxury curiosities.
Best Vintage Shopping In Nashville
The Hip Zipper
Located at Five Points, this vintage store is one of Nashville’s best shopping destinations. They have basically everything you can think of, just cooler. The fashion sense is certainly funky, and southern in its own way, as the entire inventory is hand-picked by the knowledgeable and passionate staff. The Hip Zipper is definitely worth a stop on your Five Points shopping excursion.
Old Made Good
Also known as OMG, this is a vintage emporium that certainly doesn’t take itself too seriously. The store is filled with jewelry, clothing, furniture, artwork, and hundreds of (to put it plainly) absurd knick-knacks and toys. Despite the silly disposition, there are some serious gems to be found on their clothing racks.
Goodbuy Girls
While everyone loves a good pun, anyone who has shopped at Goodbuy Girls has fallen for this amazing East End vintage store. It’s regularly featured in any major publication that explores Nashville’s shopping scene (Vogue and Glamour being chief among their admirers) but fame hasn’t changed the scrappy and fun ethos of the store. This is the best selection of vintage cowgirl clothing, but they also have a variety of local handmade clothing, accessories, and shoes for any occasion. If you’re shopping in Nashville, this is one gem you won’t want to miss!
High-Class Hillbilly
The name says it all... This smaller vintage boutique offers Texas and Southern-themed clothing that is perfect for the locale. You can put together a whole wardrobe that will make you look and feel like a local musician or social media influencer. T-shirts, boots, jackets, and everything else you could need to look “Nashville cool” are available at fairly reasonable prices. It’s located a little further out in the trending-upward Inglewood neighborhood, but the outstanding selection and fun vibe make it worth the trek from downtown.
Pre to Post Modern
Located just south of downtown in the hip Woodland in Waverly Neighborhood, this vintage store creates a cool and unique atmosphere (the antithesis of a Nashville flea market), while maintaining a warm and inviting shopping experience. The merchandise certainly leans funky, with most items dating back to the 1960s and 1970s. There are also incredible home decor items that will look perfect in your wood-paneled retro basement or a minimalist urban apartment. This vintage shop is highly rated by locals for a reason!
The Best Streets and Areas For Shopping In Nashville
The Gulch
This neighborhood may be small, but it’s located a stone’s throw away from the arts district and is jam-packed with outstanding stores. Local boutiques line the streets, including a who’s who of local designers like Blush, Two Old Hippies, Parish, and Lucchese Boot Company. You’ll also find high-end international brands as well. There are a number of jewelry and leather stores where you’ll find items that invoke the spirit of Nashville. The Gulch is easily one of the best neighborhoods for shopping in Nashville, but there are also incredible restaurants, street food, and bars. It’s the full package and a worthwhile shopping destination. Feel the need to document your trip on Instagram? Stop by the What Lifts Your Wings Mural for a photo opp.
12 South
This trendy neighborhood is known for its leafy streets, bungalow-style homes, and a growing population of younger families and twenty-somethings. These conditions are perfect for the burgeoning scene of specialty stores and indie retailers that line 12th Avenue. Highly-curated boutiques offer slightly upscale clothing for just about anyone. It’s not uncommon for celebrities to pop into the neighborhood’s many shops like Southern Draper James, Emerson Grace, and MODA. Savant Vintage is renowned for its superb collection of second-hand clothing. 12 South also has some of Nashville’s best neighborhood restaurants and bars. So grab a drink or dinner after your bespoke shopping spree.
East Nashville
The Fatherland District in East Nashville is one of the city’s best shopping destinations. While it’s technically a shopping mall, it feels much more like a hip neighborhood that you discovered. There are hip boutiques, art galleries, and vintage stores throughout the area. If you want some local apparel to bring home, Project 615 is a perfect place to find Nashville-specific shirts and souvenirs.
There is a cluster of shops (mostly locally owned) in the Five Points part of the neighborhood. One of the best vintage stores, Goodbuy Girls, in East Nashville is located right at the intersection. Then there is Fanny’s House of Music, where a garage band can walk in with nothing, and leave with both their instruments and their entire vintage-inspired outfits. There are a number of excellent boutiques at The Shops at Porter East, which is nearby. Lucaya Clothing Company and Any Old Iron are two of the most prominent, but it’s an easy area to explore and window shop.
Green Hills
While there is the massive Mall At Green Hills, where you’ll find staples like the Apple Store, Nordstrom, and Crate & Barrel, the neighborhood has many quality boutiques and small independent stores. The Hill Center has a number of quirky clothing stores for both men and women. And there are a number of excellent home decor shops, independent book stores, and vintage shopping throughout the area. If you need to shop luxury, Louis Vuitton, Madwell, and Burberry have you covered at the Mall At Green Hills, but there is so much more to the area.
Germantown
Not only does Germantown have some of the best award-winning restaurants, but there is also a prominent independent retail scene. There are locally-owned Nashville shopping institutions like Bits & Pieces vintage boutique, along with Abednego, Alexis + Bolt, and Nisolo for fashion. Even better, the Nashville Farmer’s Market is nearby, so it’s easy to plan a productive Sunday morning around fresh produce and some of the best shopping in Nashville.
Hillsboro Village
If you’re hoping to bring a new outfit back home that will make your friends jealous, the numerous boutiques in Hillsboro Village have got you covered. Some of Nashville’s best luxury stores are located on 21st Avenue in this upscale neighborhood. Revv, Molly Green, Posh, and Native + Nomad are a few of the best places for women’s clothing. And men will find their “Nashville fit” at Onward Reserve. There are also a number of artisan shops where you can find home decor, accessories, and a number of trendy design stores to spruce up your pad back home.
Nashville’s shopping scene pretty much has it all. Whether you’re looking for high-end designer clothing, cowboy boots, old records, or just a new outfit, you’ll find what you’re looking for. Most importantly, Nashville’s shopping scene has stores that genuinely reflect the culture of Nashville. You’ll walk away with an outfit that perfectly exemplifies the spirit of this city. Even better, you’ll always have something to wear to a barbecue restaurant or line-dancing night. So let Bounce hold the luggage while you find your new favorite outfit at one of the many amazing stores in Music City.