Outer Banks Jewelry Shopping

Celebrating more than 40 years as an Outer Banks shopping mecca, Birthday Suits is a favorite for swimwear – in fact, it’s been voted Best on the Beach for swimsuits for more than 10 years in local polls. Women's swimsuits are the specialty here – the latest styles for all ages, mix-and-match separates, bra-sized swimwear and mastectomy suits – but they also sell suits for kids and men. For kids there’s everything from swim diapers and toddler suits to board shorts and competition swimwear in sizes infant to preteen. Men will find surf trunks, board shorts and briefs from sizes 28 to 4X large. Don’t forget the sun-protective rash guards for kids and adults. Birthday Suits is a clothing store, too, with designer and California surf brands, sportswear, shoes and beach-inspired accessories like sunglasses, flip flops, hats, jewelry and purses. Love the OBX logo? You’ll find original OBX brand accessories and clothing here. The flagship store is on the Bypass in Kill Devil Hills.

In a charming restored 1950s Hatteras cottage, Blue Pelican Gallery offers an eclectic mix of artwork, most of it local. Owner/artist Jennifer Johnson is a native Hatteras Islander, and her photography reflects her love of the area. She also has several lines of locally handcrafted jewelry like her own ocean-inspired resin pendant necklaces and glass-beaded jewelry. Blue Pelican is also home to an ever-changing assortment of gifts and artwork from other local, regional, North Carolina and American artists and artisans, including laser-cut and engraved seasonal and wall decor. Hatteras Island's only local yarn shop is two colorful rooms chock full of yarn, notions, needles and hooks, and you can even find spinning, weaving and felting supplies here. Blue Pelican also offers a fun selection of upcycled art pieces. They offer online shopping on their website. Look for this gallery in the heart of Hatteras.

The Cotton Gin has been a coastal shopping tradition for more than 50 years. With locations in Corolla, Duck and Nags Head, this beloved local store is a favorite shopping destination for both locals and visitors. You’ll find resort fashion for men and women from fine designers like Vineyard Vines, Southern Tide, Habitat and Simply Southern. Other top accessory designers include Pandora, Vera Bradley and Spartina 449. They also offer home fashions, candles, books, garden accessories and products for the gourmet kitchen. The Cotton Gin stores sell the wines of their sister business, Sanctuary Vineyards, which is based in Currituck County. In-store tastings of their many locally grown wine varieties are available.

Gulf Stream Gifts carries a wonderful selection of 14 karat gold, sterling silver and costume jewelry with a nautical flair. Featured designers are Charles Albert, Vera Wolf, Marahlago and Goddess Designs as well as North Carolina artists. Their jewelry features a variety of stones such as larimar, lab opals, amethyst, abalone and turquoise as well as Outer Banks sea glass. Gulf Stream also carries home decor such as mermaid prints by Robert Kline, metal art, sea glass pictures, books by local writer Suzanne Tate, Jim Shore figurines and more. The shop owners and staff have been serving Outer Banks shoppers for nearly 35 years. Their motto is "May all who enter as guests leave as friends." 

Kitty Hawk Kites has been teaching the world to fly since 1974. With 10 retail locations from Corolla to Ocracoke, Kitty Hawk Kites boasts an impressive selection of kites, flags and spinners, toys, apparel, gifts and games on the Outer Banks. Kitty Hawk Kites specializes in kites, from the single-lines for kids to high-tech stunt varieties. The stores also sell fun outdoor goodies such as flags, toys, boomerangs and games. You’ll find a wide selection of Outer Banks gear, beach sportswear and footwear from Crocs, Chaco, Hey Dude, Southern Fried and Life is Good apparel, t-shirts, sweatshirts, outdoor clothing, sunglasses and more. Kitty Hawk Kites also offers a number of adventure activities including hang gliding, kayak and SUP tours, lessons and rentals, parasailing, Jet Skis, dolphin tours, wild horse tours, historic tours and much more. The brand-new Whalebone Watersports Center on the Nags Head Causeway offers kayak fishing, Jet Skis, pontoon boat rentals and more. At Kitty Hawk Kites' Waves Village Watersports in Rodanthe, you can learn kiteboarding; buy and rent kiteboarding gear; rent a kayak, surfboard or standup paddleboard or climb the adventure tower/ropes course. Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School at Jockey's Ridge in Nags Head offers private lessons, beginner lessons, advanced lessons and training packages for hang gliding, as well as retail merchandise and sand boards available for rent.