Best Leather Goods 2014 | Bison Made | Shopping & Services | Phoenix
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Simplicity and quality are the first words that come to mind to describe Phoenix-based leather goods purveyor Bison Made. Manufactured by hand in a studio space at Roosevelt Row's MonOrchid, the iPhone cases, wallets, and straight razors look timeless. And that's the idea. Meant to last a lifetime and beyond, these meticulously constructed accessories are made with nothing more than leather and stitching. With a limited range of colors in browns and black and a limited number of designs, these pieces boast craftsmanship that puts your duct tape cardholder to proper shame.

Think nothing can get between you and your Levi's? Check out the Lawless Denim's setup at CityScape and get back to us. Roman Acevedo's boutique specializes in creating custom jeans in-house and by hand — and with the help of a brigade of vintage sewing machines. Here's how it works: You pick your denim — either American or Japanese selvedge. Decide on a style, like high-waist or boot cut. And then select finishes like buttons and thread color. For around $245, you'll have a pair of jeans made to your specifications and measurements. If you're not quite ready for custom-made pants (or dropping serious dough), head for the ready-made rack, where you'll find denim for about half that price.

Gentlemen, take note. HUB owner Jennifer Mumford has quite the eye for style. And she curates her Central Phoenix boutique with pieces that'll have you turning heads — in a good way. Mumford seeks out up-and-coming designers from around the globe to feature in the light-filled shop, where you'll find pieces by WRK, Zanerobe, and Naked and Famous. With a killer denim selection from Diesel, Nudie, and APC and accessories to boot (including Red Wing boots), you'll be set from head to toe.

We want to be the kind of girl who's perpetually dressed in finds from Pepper. She's stylish but not trying too hard; put together but not a perfectionist. The Old Town Scottsdale shop specializes in laid-back California cool that looks effortless. Owned by the oh-so appropriately named Cathy Beach, the store brings a decidedly Venice Beach vibe to the Valley, carrying selections from bohemian-chic brands Free People, Alternative Apparel, and Mink Pink. Think Panama hats, sunny yellow maxi dresses, and slouchy floral print harem pants. The shop's named for Beach's pup, whom you might spot lounging around the boutique.

Stuck in a fashion rut? Head to Frances. Each time we swing by the CenPho boutique we find something — whether it's a purse, a pair of teensy stud earrings, or a lovely summer dress — that recharges our style mojo. Which isn't to say the shop's full of wacky wares. Instead, the perennial favorite mixes standbys like Toms shoes, against the grain jewelry, and Frye tooled-leather bags with Free People rompers and other of-the-moment items. In addition to women's styles, the shop houses a second room of menswear, home goods, and things for the kiddos. Swing through and it'll be near impossible to leave empty-handed.

If loving Anthropologie's a crime, then lock us up. We're suckers for its candles, housewares, and impeccably styled boho-chic clothing. Guilty as charged. But what if you had a locally owned and operated alternative? You do. With local artisans contributing goods such as jewelry, succulent planters, and buttons, new and vintage clothing curated by owners Josh Hahn and Kenny Barrett, and handpicked items from select designers and vendors like the Portland Collection and 1820 House candles, there are plenty of reasons to swing by the bungalow boutique. That's in addition to the fact that we sound just a smidge cooler when we tell people where we scored that fab vintage purse.

Cory Martinez takes fashion risks we wouldn't dare try in our wildest sartorial dreams. Patterned leggings, floor-length hippie dresses, and punky acid-wash jeans are all on the table — and a little scary to the all-black-clad set. And more power to her. The Tempe fashion maven, who runs online boutique Luxie Vintage, inspires us to push the envelope. And browsing her shop via Etsy and eBay (both complete with modeled shots of her handpicked pieces), makes us see how doable it is to incorporate splashes of Luxie's leopard print palazzo pants and Mexican sundresses into our otherwise monotonous closets. We'll get there — one daring item at a time.

When Misty Guerriero-Navon announced plans to move her vintage boutique from downtown Phoenix to Scottsdale, we were a little bummed. But we understood. The upscale boutique, which specializes in high-end fashion from decades past, seemed out of place next to a shuttered CD store and a Greek restaurant. Vintage by Misty's new home is located in Old Town Scottsdale's historic Brooks Building, with floor-to-ceiling windows and racks stuffed with the rich colors and eclectic patterns Misty's best known for carrying. Oh, and designers galore. We're talking Chanel, Pucci, and Yves Saint Laurent. Beyond the jaw-dropping, wallet-draining couture, you'll find home goods and budget-friendly picks. And for all those reasons, the new Vintage by Misty is more inviting than ever before.

Nowadays, one man's trash is pretty much everyone else's treasure. But with retro, rustic, and recycled home décor on the rise, flea markets, swap meets, and Saturday morning garage sales simply aren't enough to satisfy the hungry junk fiend.

Lucky for us, professional pickers Lindsey Holt and Coley Arnold have banded together the best and the brightest treasure hunters in town to create the biannual Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market. This Scottsdale showcase of more than a hundred hand-selected vendors features everything from vintage collectibles to handcrafted custom creations. Save the dirty work for the dumpster divers because, thanks to Junk in the Trunk, one-of-a-kind finds aren't out of reach.

A great antique store is a place we can enter, lose track of time, walk around for hours, and totally enjoy. And that's why we heart Antiques on Central. With 65 dealers and 16,000 square feet, the store's beautifully organized and varied. Browsing the Native American pottery and French antiques is fun, but a broad array of dishware, furniture, and artworks is among the treasure waiting to be discovered. Our advice is to come in with an open mind and without a super-specific agenda, ignore the little statuettes that your grandma might go for, and see what you find.

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