Houston is a shopper's delight, as there are over 30 malls in the area. There is even an extensive system of underground pedestrian tunnels and sky walks for weather-free shopping and dining. The Uptown area of Houston, around Westheimer Road at Post Oak, has a host of shops, including Macy's, Versace, Tiffany and Gucci. Most are located in the Galleria - a shopping mall that is also one of Houston's top tourist attractions, with a giant indoor ice skating rink as its centrepiece. A few blocks east of the Galleria on Westheimer Road is the Highland Village Shopping Center with several upmarket shops. In the same vicinity is Uptown Park, a European-style plaza with fountains and small gardens.

A more eclectic mix of shops can be found in the Rice Village neighbourhood, with designer boutiques, art and craft galleries and traditional shops. Art galleries and antique shops are to be found in the Upper Kirby District. Houston's oldest shopping district, West Gray Street, now has a string of art deco-inspired upmarket shops and galleries in the River Oaks Shopping Center. A haven for serious budget shoppers is Katy Mills Mall, I-10 and Pin Oak Road, around 25 miles (40km) west of Downtown. It has a wealth of discounted designer shops.

Most visitors to Texas come away with an item of cowboy wear, such as a Stetson and these can be bought at Pinto Ranch, Oak Boulevard. Other best buys include Western-style boots, clothes and riding equipment. Antiques and arts and crafts bargain hunters should go to the Back Bay Market, held twice a month, south of Downtown in Clear Lake. Trader's Village, North Eldridge Road, is great for open-air bargain hunting and sells anything and everything. It takes place on a Saturday and Sunday and is a great day out. Among the hottest newer shopping stops in the city is 310 Rosemont, 1965 West Gray Street, a destination for premium denim lines, plus late-night shopping with cocktails on the side. Chloe Dao's, Lot 8 Boutique, 6127 Kirby Drive, Rice Village, is hot for cocktail threads and trendy daywear.

Although it's been around since 1883, Hamilton Shirts, 5700 Richmond Avenue, the young, fourth-generation owners of the haberdashery serving Barney's of New York have modernised the family business to make it more retail-friendly. For shoppers with deep pockets, Alexandra Knight (website: www.alexandraknightonline.com), former fashion editor at Allure, will hook you up with the sort of custom clutches and other accessories - sans hardware or logos - she designs for stars like Rachel Griffiths, Michelle Williams, Sandra Bullock and Mary J Blige.

There is a sales tax of 8.25%, which foreign visitors can claim back if exporting their purchases. This can be done at Texas Tax Back, Level three of Galleria II (tel: (713) 965 9414), where passports and flight tickets have to be presented along with the sales receipts. Shopping hours are generally Monday to Saturday 1000-2100 and Sunday 1200-1800.