Knysna may be better known for its lagoon, forests and outdoor life, but it also has a surprisingly good selection of women’s fashion boutiques.
Rather than one large fashion district, the town has small pockets of independent boutiques and clothing stores around Gray Street, the Knysna Waterfront, Thesen Island and, more recently, Milkwood Square.
Some have been part of Knysna’s shopping scene for years, while others are newer arrivals. Whether you are looking for something colourful for summer, an easy everyday piece, accessories, locally designed fashion or simply enjoy seeing what is on the rails, these are a few places worth knowing.
Start around Gray Street
If you prefer smaller boutiques to mainstream retailers, Gray Street is a good place to begin.
Heart & Soul
Heart & Soul is a small independent clothing store at 8 Gray Street, in the Rex Hotel complex area.
It is the kind of shop worth popping into simply to see what is on the rails that day, particularly if you enjoy finding something a little different from the mainstream.
Two on Toast
Close by, Two on Toast has been part of Knysna’s boutique scene since 2013.
The shop offers an eclectic mix of clothing, shoes, jewellery and accessories, with plenty for women who prefer pieces with a little individuality. Its Knysna store is at The Gallery in the Rex Hotel complex.
There is also an easy coffee stop nearby. The Daily Coffee Café is at 8 Gray Street, making this a particularly convenient little shopping pocket if you want to combine a look around the shops with breakfast, lunch or a good cup of coffee.
And if not everyone in your party is a committed shopper, the Waterfront is only a short stroll away for boats, restaurants and a change of scenery.
Take your time on Thesen Island
Thesen Harbour Town is particularly good for a morning of shopping, with boutiques, cafés and restaurants clustered around the waterside.
Holiday Resortwear
Holiday has strong Knysna roots. The family-owned fashion business began more than 30 years ago with a small Knysna shop called The Beach House before growing into the Holiday Resortwear brand.
Its Thesen Island boutique is especially appealing if you love colour. Expect vibrant prints, dresses, tops, trousers, accessories and jewellery inspired by an easy coastal lifestyle.
Although the name suggests summer, it is worth looking in throughout the year as the collections change with the seasons.
Diana Loon
Diana Loon Clothing is another independent boutique in Thesen Harbour Town.
The store carries a mix of women’s fashion and South African labels, making it a worthwhile stop if you enjoy finding pieces you may not see in the larger national stores.
Beyond Boutique
Beyond Boutique has a slightly different focus, with locally made, sustainable and ethically minded clothing and accessories forming part of its appeal.
It is a good addition to the Thesen Island mix for shoppers who enjoy independent design and like to know a little more about where the items they buy come from.
There are several other fashion, jewellery and lifestyle shops around Harbour Town too, so this is one of those places where it is better to leave yourself some time and see what catches your eye.
Shop beside the boats at the Knysna Waterfront
The Knysna Waterfront is one of the easiest places to combine shopping with the holiday feeling of being in Knysna.
The shops curve around the small harbour, with restaurants, cafés and boats close by. You can pop in for an hour or make a morning of it, particularly if lunch becomes part of the plan.
Out of the Blue
Out of the Blue deserves a place on any Knysna fashion list because its story began here.
The first Out of the Blue store opened in Knysna before the brand expanded elsewhere in South Africa. Its clothing has an easy, coastal feel, with natural fabrics and relaxed styles featuring strongly.
For regular visitors to Knysna, it is one of those familiar local names that has become part of the town’s shopping landscape.
Love That
Love That is another good Waterfront stop, with a mix of women’s fashion, accessories and lifestyle pieces.
It works particularly well when you are not shopping with a very specific item in mind and are happy to wander in and see what you find.
The Waterfront has several other clothing and accessory stores too, so it is worth exploring the full Waterfront shopping area.
And, of course, there is always the possibility of breaking up the shopping with coffee, lunch or an ice cream beside the boats.
See what is new at Milkwood Square
Milkwood Square has added another fashion stop to Knysna’s Main Road, with several women’s clothing stores gathered alongside cafés and everyday shopping.
Mila + Kayla
Mila + Kayla is a women’s clothing and accessories boutique at Milkwood Square.
It adds another independent option to Knysna’s fashion scene and is an easy shop to include if you are already heading into town for groceries, coffee or other errands.
Kokonova
Kokonova offers contemporary women’s fashion, accessories and lifestyle pieces, with a curated mix of South African and international brands.
The collections span dresses, knitwear, jackets, tops and accessories, making it a useful stop for seasonal wardrobe pieces as well as something a little more special.
The Store
The Store brings something different to the mix.
Rather than focusing only on new clothing, it specialises in carefully selected pre-owned fashion, including designer, vintage and good-quality high-street pieces, as well as shoes and accessories.
It is the sort of shop where you never quite know what you are going to find, which is part of the fun. If you enjoy a one-off discovery rather than shopping from a predictable collection, allow yourself a little extra time here.
Make a morning of it
One of the pleasures of shopping in Knysna is that it does not have to mean spending half a day inside a shopping centre.
You could start around Gray Street and stop for coffee, spend a few hours on Thesen Island, wander around the Waterfront beside the boats, or see what is new at Milkwood Square.
For guests staying at The Milkwood Collection near the Knysna Heads, all of these shopping areas are an easy trip into town. A morning of shops and coffee can still leave plenty of time to head back towards the lagoon for a quiet afternoon, a walk at The Heads, or simply a chance to unpack the shopping bags and enjoy being on holiday.
Shops, ranges and trading hours may change, particularly seasonally. If you are making a special trip for a particular store, it is worth checking directly with the shop beforehand.