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Well, readers, weve been shopping together for most of this year. During that time weve walked the hallowed racks at institutions of style. Weve unearthed funky new boutiques off the beaten path. And weve shared some fab finds and hot looks. Heres a roundup of 2010's very best shopping destinations in Fairfield County.
Best Boutique: This was the hardest for me to decide, because Fairfield County boasts some of the best boutiques outside of Manhattan, and I covered quite a few this year. But its my best list, so I give it to newbie Minette and Rook. Ive told you all about Lauren Robaks superior style before. What shes achieved within Minette and Rooks cozy space is a SoHo-worthy boutique, complete with one of my all-time favorite designers Ayoyama Itchome. Ive never seen his stuff outside of Manhattan or Paris, except at Fairfields own Minette and Rook, which is one of the reasons it earns the "Best Boutique" title. Minette and Rook is located at 1215 Post Road, Fairfield, CT.
Best Fashion Juggernaut: Of course, it has to be Saks Fifth Avenue. Theres no label, no accessory, no bag and no shoe that Saks doesnt have. Saks offers signed, sealed and delivered style. They also throw their name around to benefit local organizations, something Ive told you about many, many times. And that chic spirit of local philanthropy deserves recognition. Saks Fifth Avenue is at 205 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT and at the Stamford Town Center.
Best Childrens Clothier: This was another tough decision. Being a mother myself, it came down to two things: How cute are the clothes and how tolerant is the staff of my four-year-old assistant shopper? When you break it down this way, theres no contest. Chloes Closet in Fairfield has the sweetest looks and the sweetest staff. They make shopping easy on you and your kiddo, and thats worth any amount of crinoline under your preschoolers skirt. Chloes Closet is tucked away at 1700 Post Road, Fairfield, CT.
Best Tween Boutique: Byrams Stuf is the seventh dream of tweenage heaven. Cute, inexpensive looks that your picky inbetweenager will actually want to wear. Stuf also carries other playful, kitschy stuff that kids love to use to personalize their space, from bedrooms to lockers. Find Stuf at 1 North Water Street, Greenwich, CT.
Best Beauty Emporium: Where to go to get beautiful in Fairfield County? There are plenty of places, but Westports Faces Beautiful is special. Hair styling, make-up, accessories and skin care products are just some of what Gail Sagel and her staff have to offer. From the tongue-in-wrinkle-free-cheek I heart Botox bags to the serious make-up application instruction; this is one place youre sure to leave feeling more gorgeous than when you walked in. Faces Beautiful is at 139 Post Road East, Westport, CT.
Best Consignment Shop: Ill shout this from the mountaintops. Consignment shopping is one of my very favorite ways to fill in gaps in my wardrobe. And the best boutique for consignments that Ive found in all of Fairfield County is Double Exposure. Where else can you find a pristine Armani top for under $50.00? Nowhere, thats where. Find Double Exposure at 1090 Post Road, Darien, CT.
Honorable Mention: WishList boutiques have been the go-to spot for fashionable teens for years. Recently, WishList expanded their inventory to include hip, wearable looks for those of us closer to reunions than graduation. WishList wins the honorable mention category for their evolving sense of style. WishList has three locations: 1101 Post Road, Darien, CT; 350 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT; and 606 Post Road, Westport, CT.
Did I miss your favorite house of style? Tell me about it here, or email me a mmorelli@mainstreetconnect.us. Im always in the market for a new place to shop.
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