Fashion Finds in Houston

Check out these stores that keep the city looking good


There's no time like the present to spotlight Houston's style-savvy offerings. Check out these stores that keep the city looking good.

Vintage & Consignment

Cheeky Vintage: Score one-of-a-kind treasures at Tina Davis and Denise Hazen's Upper Kirby boutique. The shop offers a hand-picked selection of designer retroware from the 1950s to 1980s, but it's not your typical resale shop. Designer frocks by Christian Dior and Bill Blass share space with pieces from now-defunct department stores like Sakowitz and Battestein's.

Couture Blowout: Fatou Fall's Montrose boutique shines with finds by luxury designers like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo and Chloe. Expect racks filled with feminine dresses and skirts, as well as pants, tops and jackets (many of which still have tags) that have been rescued from small boutiques, end-of-the-season sales and the closets of Houston's well-heeled fashionistas? 

More Than You Can Imagine: Owner Vicki Rizzo has a discriminating eye and talent for tracking down hard-to-find pieces. Visit her River Oaks boutique for designer label clothing, shoes and accessories, along with gifts, paper goods and home décor. The store also accept shoes, accessories and designer clothing sized 0 to 20 for consignment.

Men's Clothing

Rye 51 & Q Custom Clothier: Set in the tony West Ave., Rye51 offers casual options from the likes of Diesel, Earnest Sewn and John Varvatos-oh and did we mention a whiskey bar? Next door, Rye51's sister shop, Q Custom Clothier, serves up high-end, made to measure shirts and suits created from hundreds of fabric options, assembled in custom shops in Europe and shipped direct.

Hamilton Shirts: Still owned by the family that started the business in 1883, Hamilton specializes in bespoke and made-to-measure shirts of the highest quality. Hand cut from double-ply Italian and Swiss fabrics, the shirts are made at the Richmond Avenue store by trained specialists who have been with the company for years. You can watch them work through a picture window in the store and see marvel at their artistry.

Eco-conscious Clothing

One Green Street: Houston's first Leed-certified retailer joined West U's already stellar shopping line-up in early 2010, offering guys, girls and four-legged customers style-conscious and sustainable goods in a 2,000-square-foot space. Founder Sherry Eichberger stocks her well-edited boutique with clothing and a range of products including skin, hair and pet lines by W3ll People, Juice Beauty and Houston's own Sari Motley Cosmetics.

Moss Boutique: Montrose's hip, eco-minded Moss Boutique stocks an array of flirty, feminine dresses, tops and accessories-all boasting price tags that are less than $100. Freestanding racks fill the space, holding an array of ruffled blouses, breezy tunics and comfy cotton dresses. Near the register, a glass case holds a mix of cuffs, necklaces and accessories, tempting even the most fiscally responsible fashionista.

Jewelry & Accessories

A Bientot: It's been more than 15 years since Betty Newton and Cristiana Anderson launched their accessories biz in River Oaks. The boutique is known for its array of jewelry, bags and scarves, many of which are culled from locations all around the globe, as well as laid-back, preppy clothing, shoes and giftables.

Alexandra Knight: Native Houstonian and former fashion editor Alexandra Knight has quickly become one of the world's most innovative designers of handmade alligator handbags. She embodies two of the most important trends in fashion: customization and individuality. Hilary Swank, Michelle Williams and Sandra Bullock are only a few of Knight's celebrity client list.

Elaine Turner: It's been nearly a decade since H-Town-based accessory designer Elaine Turner launched her namesake line of clutches, totes and, more recently, shoes. Today, the former apparel designer and merchandiser is well-known nationally for her timeless, travel-inspired collections, which she sells at her boutiques, Nordstrom stores and 200 specialty shops throughout the U.S. Visit her Houston outposts in Rice Village and CityCentre.

Lenny e Cia: Founded in Sao Paulo, Brazil, this prestigious fashion house opened its first international boutique in Uptown Park, near the Galleria, in 2007. Recognized as a leading luxury label in Brazil, Lenny e Cia is known for its limited edition handbags, shoes, carry-ons, leather goods and accessories. Stop in and find the largest selection of Melissa shoes in the U.S., too.  

Fashion Frontrunners

Abejas: Abejas Boutique is first on the must-shop list for local "It" girls in the know. If a Hollywood starlet is wearing the hottest jean or the biggest bag, then you can bet Abejas will have it on its shelves. James Perse, Cake, Johnny Was and Velvet are among the labels at Abejas, but the friendly staff can easily navigate the names and fits for shoppers. The much-anticipated sidewalk sale held twice a year is the closest Houston shoppers get to sample sales and women descend on the boutique in droves to try on and buy, buy, buy.

Atrium Ready-to-Wear: Luvi Wheelock's 500-square-foot Parisian-inspired shop stocks cocktail dresses and ready-to-wear evening frocks from a mix of well-known and rising-star designers. Designs by Prabal Gurung, Palazzo and Angel Sanchez share space with Christian Cota, Trias and Yigal Azrouel. Bonus: Fans don't have to worry about running into their fashion doppelganger at a social event, since Atrium only carries one size in each design, allowing pieces to be tailored to each customer's body.

Coquette Boutique & Bistro: Model-turned-stylist-and-designer Aries Milan shares her love for fashion in her Lower Westheimer-set boutique. The store-whose name comes from the French term for "young, beautiful, flirty girl"-delivers sought-after designer labels in an airy, open space. Among some of Milan's style-minded selections are a mix of casual and cocktail-ready dresses, blazers and sequined leggings from west coast labels like Michelle Mason, Alexis LaMontagna and Graham & Spencer.

Dao Chloe Dao: Chloe Dao's boutique in Rice Village became a stop on many a tourist's to-do list, thanks to Dao's winning of the second season of Bravo's Project Runway. Of course, local fans of her smart and sexy clothes already knew she and her former Lot 8 boutique were champs. Besides her own line, shoppers will delight in designs by Single, Dress, Abaco and Li Li Rose, plus plenty of accessories and shoes and a men's line called Adam's Apple.

Muse Boutique: The exclusive River Oaks shop stocks trendsetting New York and L.A. brands of women's clothing, accessories, handbags and jewelry. Find Calypso wrap dresses and Halston Heritage smock tops alongside Hunter Dixon skirts and Melissa jellies. While you're perusing, keep an eye out for Billy, Muse's resident goldendoodle lounging around the store.

Tootsies: After 25 years, Tootsies has moved from its Highland Village space into shiny, new West Ave. digs. The 35,000-square-foot space is open and airy-bathed in natural light-with glossy, eye-catching accents sprinkled throughout. Shoppers will find new designers, an expanded accessories department and a private party room with space for your 30 nearest and dearest-complete with an adjoining catering kitchen.

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