Dallas Shops

N THE GREAT MIGRATION WEST, DALLAS was the natural point where people ran out of stuff. So John Neely Bryan opened a trading post, the late Mr. Stanley force-fed fashion to Dallas women until the town in the middle of nowhere became somewhere, and the rest is credit card history. Now Dallas is famous for shopping. It’s our raison d’être. It’s what we do best.

In several serious months of shoe leather reporting in the truest sense, D Magazine has come up with its first guide to shopping in Dallas. We found the best stores for fashion queens (and victims), conspicuous consumers, and bargain hunters. And we came to two conclusions. One, there are too many expensive candles for sale. Two, Dallas offers the best shopping on earth. Here it is.                                                                                                                             

Clothes

Clothes are the best way to express yourself. And for some, fashion is a way of life. Whether you crave tragically hip, stylishly chic, or affordably fun, Dallas has a shop to suit you.

STRICTLY UPSCALE

Carla Martinengo. Italian doyenne Carla Martinengo opened her eponymous boutique three years ago. Since then, it has done remarkably well, with its great selection of hard-to-find European designers such as Chloe, Valentino, Balenciaga, and Dolce & Gabbana. Don’t be intimidated by the small, exclusive setting. Martinengo is more than happy to personally select and give her opinion on pieces from her elite collection. 8300 Preston Rd. 214-522-9284.

Forty Five Ten. Brian Bolke and Bill Mackin joined forces a few years ago to create the ultimate high-end boutique in Dallas. Forty Five Ten carries cutting-edge lines such as Comme des Garçons, Project Alabama, Alexander McQueen, Viktor and Rolf, Hussein Chalayan, and jeans by the latest must-have denim, Habitual. The clothes are not the only things that keep the tragically fashionable coming back for more—the housewares are one-of-a-kind, and after you’ve slapped down your platinum, you can lunch on lovely salads, quiches, and crispy baguettes in the T-Room. 4510 McKinney Ave. 214-559-4510.

Lester Melnick. A one-stop shop for clothes, shoes, and accessories. This Dallas staple carries business suits for your corporate affairs and playful casual wear by Tibi, as well as an incredible selection of petite clothing. 618 Preston Royal Shopping Center. 214-363-0606.

Lilly Dodson. First Lady Laura Bush loves Lilly Dodson for the first-class service and for former in-house designer Michael Faircloth. Faircloth now has his own digs in the design district, but the service remains. Dallas’ old-school society dames peruse the latest Carolina Herrera gowns or suits by Louis Feraud, while their offspring check out hip labels like Only Hearts and Joseph. 31 Highland Park Village. 214-528-0528.

Stanley Korshak. This privately owned single store attached to the Hotel Crescent Court is on par with Neiman Marcus downtown. Their shoe selection is unique, as are the men’s and women’s salons, which house Canali, Armani, Moschino, and other European designers. If you spend the whole day shopping for yourself, you can stop by the in-house floral studio and nip your guilt in the bud by picking up a tasteful arrangement for the person from whom you’re going to hide all of those shopping bags. 500 Crescent Court, Ste. 100. 214-871-3600.

Tootsie’s. The emphasis here is on service, and they deliver. Each time we’ve been in this store, whether to browse or to buy, the sales staff has been so helpful and attentive (but never intrusive) that we’ve wondered if they’ve mistaken us for celebrities. Peruse the Celine, Ralph Lauren, Tibi, and Trina Turk downstairs, and someone is sure to offer you a glass of wine or a cold drink. For your more upscale affairs, head to the upper level for Badgley Mischka, Nicole Miller, and Tracy Reese gowns. 8300 Preston Rd. 214-696-9993.

FUNKY, FUN, AND FASHIONABLE

Ahab Bowen. Tucked in with the Victorian homes-turned-law firms and bars in Uptown is a quaint little house. But don’t let the façade fool you: inside you’ll find vintage, wasp-waisted dresses that your mother might have worn, hanging near darling sweater sets and plaid pants from the ’70s. The front of the house carries retro accessories, including glorious little handbags and baubles. 2614 Boll St. 214-720-1874.

Avant.  Ring the doorbell at this 21-year-old establishment and you’ll be buzzed into one of the coolest shops in town. The front of the store carries flirty dresses in every length, including Betsey Johnson, Hype, Diane Von Furstenberg, Save the Queen, and William B. Mosey to the back, and you’ll be rewarded with a great selection of shoes such as Sky, Arlene C, and Calleen Cordero. 2716 Greenville Ave. 214-824-0260.

Cotton Island. This store has two locations, but our favorite is their newest outpost in Plano. The shabby-chic interior welcomes buyers into a feminine wonderland, replete with French Connection shirts and Steve Madden shoes. Our favorite finds were Ivy League gym shorts with the names (Princeton, Yale) outlined in rhinestones. Too cute. 1900 Preston Rd., Ste. 258, Plano. 972-769-1085; 6601 Hillcrest Ave., #B. 214-373-1085.

Elements. This place is a bit cliquey, which is a bore. If they ignore us one more time, we swear we will go elsewhere for Jill Stuart, See by Chloe, Just Cavalli, and Bonnie Basham jewelry. They claim to regularly carry Mayle, one of the best lines around, but we’ve only seen two pieces on previous visits. However, that might be because the line is so hot that it flies out the door the minute it hits the floor. 4400 Lovers Ln. 214-987-0837.

Goodnight Moon/Lilly Pulitzer®. This is the shopping destination for Palm Beach posers who paint their nails coral and have a perpetual tan. Lilly Pulitzer is known for her fun, wildly loud prints in pink and green, but you’ll also find more subtle solutions to your dressing dilemma, such as striped rugby shirts and sweet capris. To complete your South Floridian look, pick up a few towels and bed linens in the saccharin prints. 207 Preston Royal Shopping Center. 214-691-9393.

The Graye Concept. UNT graduate Jennifer Madden opened this well-rounded shop in September. The store carries Madden’s line of Italian-made leather shoes, gorgeous coats by Englishman Ted Baker, trousers by feminine designer Tracy Reese, and the wildly popular line Cambio. You can also find Nicole Miller bags and embroidered trenches by Biya. 8314 Preston Center Plaza. 214-750-7463.

HD’s.  Much like Avant, HD’s is one of those places on the Lower Greenville strip that make Greenville what it is. For 20 years (yes, it’s been that long) they’ve provided the M Street crowd with wearable and affordable hip finds. The biggest draw these days is the huge selection of Diesel jeans. 3014 Greenville Ave. 214-821-8900.

Henry Jackalope Snider Plaza. If you’re a year-round Cattle Baron’s Baller who likes Western wear with a twist, Jackalope is the answer to all of your prayers. Custom-made leather boots in Crayola-bright colors will run you a pretty penny, but we bet our hide that no one else in Dallas County will be sporting the same kicks. 6731 Snider Plaza. 214-692-8928.

Primrose. Frothy pieces embellished with stretch lace and beading adorn the racks and the staff at this small store in Inwood Village. For more than seven years, they have given sophisticated hippies their fix of ruffled tulle skirts and lace shawls. The only place where you’ll find more velvet peasant shirts is in Stevie Nicks’ closet. 5600 W. Lovers Ln., Ste. 139. 214-352-1333.

Spicy Couture. We have to be honest: Spicy Couture’s selection is not consistent. But we don’t consider that a bad thing. You never know what you’ll come across when you step into the place. One moment they have fab stuff by Marc Jacobs; the next time it will be all about Tocca. What they do always carry are Earl and Seven jeans and more Vivienne Tam than anyone else in the city. 5600 W. Lovers Ln., Ste. 143. 214-357-6555.

Sara Lasier. This boutique majors in casual clothing for people who don’t consider sweat pants an option. Jeans by Diesel and Miss Sixty line the women’s side of the store alongside racks of Poleci, Poleci, and more Poleci. Sashay over to the men’s side, and you’ll discover dress shirts by Sharagano, insulated jackets with faux fur collars by Ben Sherman (so Sean John 2000), and G Star flare pants. West Village, 3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 310. 214-252-9833.

Studio Sebastian. If we could afford it, we would buy all of our clothes in this lovely little boutique in Snider Plaza. Sebastian stocks his store with must-haves for every style-conscious lady. Tyler by Richard Tyler; Nanette Lepore sweater coats; tall suede boots by Marc Jacobs; suits and dresses by Tracy Reese; and darling tees embellished with ribbon, lace, and sequins abound in one of the hottest shopping spots in town. 6730 Snider Plaza. 214-360-9001.

Sussie’s. The answer to every Frisco fashionista’s question is at Sussie’s. This gem of a store (in a strip mall next to Tom Thumb, no less) supplies all of the ladies up north with embroidered jeans by ABS, button-down shirts from Poleci and Cynthia Steffe, and Ted Baker sweaters. If you have undergarment issues, they have those covered as well—Sussie’s carries a darling line of boy-cut briefs by Weston Wear and other assorted frilly and no-fuss numbers. 4760 Preston Rd., Ste. 204, Frisco. 972-335-2792.

CHEAP AND CHIC

Buffalo Exchange. This place has made a name for itself in Austin. Now it’s looking to do the same in Big D. Buffalo Exchange is a resale shop with fun and funky finds that will leave you with enough money in your wallet to hit the town the same night. The best part is, you can bring in your old faves and receive cash on the spot. No other game in town even comes close. 3424 Greenville Ave. 214-826-7544.

Ciel. Pulsating dance music blares from the ceiling, cute girls walk in and out of the dressing rooms barely clothed, and owner Julie Teng offers her personal opinion on anything you try on. Welcome to Ciel. Smack in the middle of the bar scene on Lower Greenville, this 2-year-old boutique oozes South Beach. Knock-off Yves Saint Laurent tops and tall Cavalli patterned boots were our best finds. 1927 Greenville Ave. 214-370-3001.

Movida. SMU sorority gals love this shop in Mockingbird Station because Movida houses what we think is the best selection of classics with a twist. Denim skirts with embroidered flowers, black pants that lace up the sides, and cowl-neck ponchos are just a few of the well-priced items we came across. If you’re in need of a great accessory at an even better price, check out the collection of chunky necklaces and fun shoes. Mockingbird Station, 5321 E. Mockingbird Ln., Ste. 130. 214-821-8669.

Pitaya. Cute tops and striped velvet pants hang on racks made of steel plumbing pipe in this industrial-chic setting. Fitted corduroy skirts with flirty kick pleats and comfy cotton camis by Glam are some of the best items in the house. They also carry a great selection of low-riding, boot-cut jeans. Pitaya is the right place to hit if you need one trendy piece to spice up an outfit. West Village, 3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 409. 214-252-9700.

Urban Outfitters. This store opened last year and has become a staple in the diet of fashion hounds who love the thrift-store look. Where else can you find a red velvet Jesus statue, ceramic Tiki glasses, ’70s-inspired baby tees, funky ponchos, and sweater coats in one place? The men’s clothing selection is as quirky as the ladies’. The word on the street is that Anthropolgie, an upscale, more sophisticated boutique owned by the same folks, is staking out locations in Dallas as you read this. Mockingbird Station, 5331 E. Mockingbird Ln., Ste. 190. 214-821-4371.

Cool Stuff

We all have our favorite haunts, dives, emporiums, and boutiques. From furnishings to knickknacks to jewelry and everything in between, these Dallas stores are stocked with a few thousand of our favorite things.

Anteks Home Furnishings.  Buckaroo shopping at its finest. The squeaky, wooden floors set the tone for browsing the rooms stocked with lodge-pole beds with carved bears and pine trees, chip-carved roperos, and pistol sconces with leather shades. 5814 W. Lovers Ln. 214-528-5567; 2208 Dallas Pkwy., #321, Plano. 972-378-0853.

Beading Dreams. Design your own adornment from the extensive new and old collection of glass and metal beads, stones, carnelian, silver, and turquoise. Or, if you’re not the crafty type, buy one of the pre-made pieces. 5629 W. Lovers Ln. 214-366-1112.

Carlyn Galerie. This is the best selection of art glass in the city. You can spend tens to hundreds of dollars on fantastical glass ornaments, bowls, and sculpture. But the signed, handmade jewelry is great, too. Check out Thomas Mann’s techno-romantic line. And note the handcrafted dreidel collection. Preston Center, 6137 Luther Ln. 214-368-2828.

Collage. The best collection of 20th-century design in Dallas. Period. 2201 N. Stemmons Fwy. 214-748-5818.

Copper Lamp. Desperately looking for an asparagus server? Then head to Copper Lamp. This dependable shop sells antique, estate, and new silver flatware and holloware trays, bowls, serving pieces, chafers, and candelabras, plus all kinds of obscure serving pieces. Jelly spoon? Oyster forks? They’ve got them. 5500 Greenville Ave. 214-369-5166.

Cost Plus World Market. One world under one roof means one-stop shopping. Last year, we did all of our last-minute Christmas shopping at this import emporium—desk accessories for Mom, new dishes for Dad, a silk scarf for brother Bob, and an incense burner for Grandma. Or something like that. 5500 Greenville Ave., Ste. 300. 214-378-5370. Multiple locations.

D’Hierro. Gorgeous, hand-forged, wrought-iron furniture, lamps, and accessories with a unique selection of garden furniture, fireplace screens, and original framed art. 7807 Inwood Rd. 214-357-7956; Lakeside Market, 5813 Preston Rd., Ste. 552, Plano. 972-943-9924.

Elliott’s.- You don’t need it if you can’t find it at Elliott’s. Officially, it’s a hardware store, but we buy BB chains by the foot here to string charms, wire mesh to paint and make Christmas ornaments, and all kinds of necessaries for the kitchen. Of course, there are plenty of hammers and screws, too. 4901 Maple Ave. 214-634-9900. Mulitple Locations.

Everywhere. Best deal in town for fun and inexpensive table settings where a place setting won’t set you back a paycheck. The Sausalito dishware comes in groovy purple, lilac, Merlot, amber, navy, and green, and each piece rings in at $3.49. Match or contrast serving pieces. Lakeside Market, 4017 Preston Rd., Ste. 548, Plano. 972-378-5730.

Francesca’s Collections. This is every grown-up girl’s dress-up treasure chest of jewels—bright, sparkly, and affordable earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and hair gizmos. In case anyone is Christmas shopping, we want everything in here. Mockingbird Station, 5307 E. Mockingbird Ln. 214-370-3646; Preston Royal Shopping Center, 10720 Preston Rd., Ste. 1005. 214-891-9866.

Jaya. In this newly opened store from Austin, the Chinese, Indian, and Indonesian furniture looks like it cost three times what the price tag reads. We fell in love with an antique Chinese bench (only $299) and the huge, red lacquered bamboo trays. Inwood Village, 5370 W. Lovers Ln., Ste. 322. 214-352-5115.

Lady Primrose’s Shopping the English Countryside. Owners Caroline Rose Hunt and Vivian Young shop the English countryside for unusual antiques and decorative accessories with the peculiar, whimsical style so typically British. They also sell a scrumptious line of imported bath items and fragrant candles. 500 Crescent Court, Ste. 154. 214-871-8333.

Lingerie Collection. Behind the uninspired, out-of-date window dressing (white gazebo lattice with nightgowns hanging from them) is one of the coolest collections of upscale cozy jammies and undies in town. 520 Preston Royal Shopping Center. 214-691-3710.

MAC Gift Store. The MAC is stocked with all kinds of weird and distinctive handmade art pieces, as well as books on offbeat art and artists. It’s more fun than the average museum store. 3120 McKinney Ave. 214-953-1212.

Mark & Larry’s Stuff. Wacky stuff for wacky people. You can buy a book about toilet training your cat, a pair of slip-on bowling shoes, plastic furniture, furry pens, and anything else you’ve never thought of. Deep Ellum: 2614 Elm St. 214-747-8833; Stone Street Plaza: 1520 Elm St. 214-760-8833.

Meadows Museum. Our favorite museum store in Dallas. Besides the expected Spanish-themed gifts—fringed flowered shawls, repro paintings, and books—this gift store sells charming retablos and nichos by a local artist. 5900 Bishop Blvd. @ SMU campus. 214-768-2516.

Obzeet. Owners Zevy and Derval Kirshenbaum travel the world and bring home one-of-a-kind treasures with an ethnic touch: hand-painted armoires from India, chiminerias from Mexico, and African furniture and wooden carvings. 19020 Preston Rd. 972-867-6126.

Of. Owned by four of the cutest guys this side of Lakewood, Of is the perfect blend of fabulously chic home and garden goods. Browse the open, airy space for the full line of Niven Morgan’s heavenly bath and beauty products (the perfect gift for the discriminating beauty buff), organic potting soil for your precious tomato garden, and fresh-cut flower arrangements that look like you’re not trying too hard—even though sometimes you do. Don’t we all? 1810 Skillman St. 214-887-6363.

The Ole Moon. This mellow shop has a whiff of the Woodstock ’60s about it—handmade crafts, pottery, glass, and wood objects call to mind words like “natural” and “organic,” as well as “beautiful.” You’re guaranteed to find the perfect gift here, as well as an appropriate card from their selection, ranging from lovely to humorous. 3016 Greenville Ave. 214-827-9921.

Rebecca Collins. Dallas jewelry designer Rebecca Collins specializes in massive silver set with rocks, and we don’t mean the Liz Taylor kind. We’re talking slices of geodes and slabs of semi-precious stones. A bowl by the register overflows with $90 rings, the most deluxe point-of-purchase ;ieces we’ve ever seen. 8319 Preston Center Plaza. 214-346-0221.

The Rock Barrell. An overwhelming array of semi-precious stones, beads, metal, tiger-eye, African, Indian, and Greek beads (to name a few) make creating your own jewelry a blast in this 4,000-square-foot showroom. The low prices and selection are unmatched because they directly import much of their merchandise. 13650 TI Blvd., Ste. 104. 972-231-4809.

Rutherford’s. We could spend a whole afternoon sorting through the hundreds of fabric styles, trims, and tie-back tassels—some genuine antiques. Robert Rutherford has design-center connections, and the chock-full shop shows it in a vast array of high-quality upholstery goods, not to mention a unique collection of reupholstered antique furniture and (our favorite) a larger-than-life Italian ceramic rooster. 5647 W. Lovers Ln. 214-357-0888.

Sergeant’s Western Wear. Need a saddle for your hoss or a pair of Lucchese ostrich boots for your dogs? This is a shop for serious cowboys and wannabes. And in Dallas, who isn’t a wannabe? 13600 Stemmons Fwy., Farmers Branch. 972-484-9988.

Tiecoon. Michael Garza collects and sells the best selection of new Hawaiian shirts in Dallas. Actually, Tiecoon collects and sells the best selection of men’s gifts in Dallas—especially if you’re looking for something humorous. How about a set of martini glasses? On wheels? Preston Center, 4015 Villanova St. 214-369-8437.

Translations. Tabletop junkies, beware: this place is dangerous. From sleek Japanese Lindt-Stymeist stoneware to the stylish Italian Vietri line, the shelves have all the serving pieces, wine glasses, and rice bowls that you could ever want. Preston Center, 4014 Villanova St. 214-373-8391.

Vespa Dallas. A trip to Rome or Paris is not complete without stepping off a curb and getting buzzed by a Vespa. They were the ultimate ’60s mode of transportation in the United States until the EPA pulled the plug. Happily, the sporty scooters are back with a splash, and Dallas’ first store just opened in West Village. Two lines—ET2 (maximum 42 mph) and ET4 (tops out at 65)—are available in groovy colors, along with sleek and trendy accessories. West Village, 3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 103. 214-224-9990.

Wild Birds Unlimited. Owners Kim and David Hurt give the best advice on how to battle pesky squirrels. They also carry fine binoculars and show you how to choose them. The store sells cards mounted with images (owls, kingbirds, and zebra butterflies) by local nature photographer George Boyd. Proceeds go to local environmental organizations. 4300 W. Lovers Ln. 214-891-9793. Multiple locations.

Around The World                                                                      Click on image below to enlarge.

Every subculture in the city has its own shopping district. You don’t need a passport. Just take your credit card. 

GREAT BRITAIN
World Service UK. Homesick for a fix of clotted cream, Old Speckeled Hen ale, or Weetabix? They’ve got plenty to keep homesick Brits happy (including Vegemite), plus loads to keep the Yanks laughing—check out Billy Connolly or Ab Fab from their large collection of British comedy videos. Have a cuppa tea and browse the latest copies of Hello magazine. 1923 Greenville Ave. 214-827-8886.

INDIA
Bombay Sari Palace. Bombay carries a large selection of sari fabric and Indian clothing, but it’s not just to wear. Last year we used a beautiful red and green sari (18 feet long) as a Christmas tablecloth, and our favorite curtains are gorgeous shimmers of silver-embroidered sari. 113 S. Central Expwy. @ Belt Line Rd./Main St., Richardson. 972-437-2465.

Tajmahal Imports. This is mainly a huge Indian food market, but the cookware here is a deal—28-gallon, heavy-bottom pots are only $65. They also have a large selection of incense (you’ll pay four times as much anywhere else), exquisitely carved teakwood swings, and a 3-foot copper Ganesh. Can you live without it? 26-C Richardson Heights Village, Richardson. 972-644-1329.

IRELAND
The Celtic Store. Where else can you find an easy, step-by-step guidebook to playing the bagpipes? Not to mention all things Irish, Celtic crosses of all shapes and sizes, knot-work band rings, and a Claddagh doorknocker (our favorite). Oh, and freshly caught faeries from Wales. 7402 Greenville Ave. 214-361-5797.

ITALY
Side Street’s. Six years ago, Pat Snoots quit her back-of-the-house job at Neiman Marcus and began scouring Italy to stock her own retail venture. Twice a year she tours factories, auctions, and small markets to handpick one-of-a-kind Italian goodies. Her quaint store carries Italian dishes, pasta bowls, platters, and ceramics. Our favorite? The unique hand-painted tiles inspired by the occupations of the early 1600s—vitner, baker, glutton. They’re perfect as a gift or a backsplash. 3109 Monticello Ave. 214-522-0025.

Torrefazione Italia. Would you like some handmade Deruta ceramics with your shot of espresso? This authentic Italian coffeehouse serves delicious paninis for dining in. They also sell imported coffees and bite-sized sweets and chocolates to take home. 4527 Travis St. 214-521-0886.

JAPAN
Kazy’s. A general store that carries Japanese books, magazines, groceries, art, and miscellanea. A kite or sashimi-grade tuna—you decide which you need the most. 9256 Markville Dr. 972-235-4831.

MEXICO
Casa Mexicana. This Deep Ellum shop is for serious folk art collectors. Fortunately, that doesn’t translate into serious money. The shelves are crammed with dia de los muertos figurines, nativities by Gerardo Ortega (Guadalajara), art by the Castillo Family and Josefina Aguilar, and a beautiful wall of crosses. 2616 Elm St. 214-747-7227.

RUSSIA
Russian Island. This place carries Russian gifts, collectibles, antiques, and jewelry, as well as fabulous military medals, caps, and army field shirts. Hockey buffs will adore the selection of jerseys and badges. Dallas Galleria, 13350 Dallas Pkwy. 972-387-3310.

SCANDINAVIA
The Wooden Spoon. Located in the Forman Home (built in 1867), this fun store sells clogs, wooden Viking ships, and Danish candles. The Teaspoon Deli serves prepackaged food and caters Scandinavian style, and the store offers Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish, and German language classes. 1617 Avenue K, Plano. 972-424-6867.

Chanel for Charity

Get your couture fix for peanuts and give to a good cause at Les Femmes du Monde.

For the past 42 years, Dallas women in the know have made the annual September pilgrimage to Exchange Park Mall off Harry Hines Boulevard. Inside the sad, gray building, tucked in between medical colonies, is a massive collection of gently used couture and boutique clothing (read: Chanel and Hermés) given to Les Femmes du Monde, a nonprofit that donates the sales of the clothes to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and the World Affairs Council of Greater Dallas. Clothing is donated year-round from members and non-members, and a few Dallas society women have even bequeathed their entire wardrobes to the organization.

Last year we ventured to the sale for the first time and left with a champagne-hued chiffon gown; a Neiman Marcus fur cocktail coat from the ’50s; an aqua, quilted knee-length coat from Bergdorf Goodman; and a $5 Prada bag. Not bad for a lunchtime adventure. But we don’t recommend you go if you only have an hour. The selection is massive and contains everything from conservative suits to evening wear.

While Les Femmes du Monde collects the clothing throughout the year for the big fall sale, that’s not to say they don’t welcome customers during the year. The permanent showroom is open to the public on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., March through September. Exchange Park Mall, 6300 Forest Park Rd., Rm. 155. 214-350-4406.

Foot Fetish

DSW. When you want great shoes but can’t spend a lot of cash, head over to DSW for its fab selection. The store is divided into sections: sport (Skechers, Adidas), casual (Anne Klein, DKNY), and upscale (Marc Jacobs & Valentino). You’ll also find David Aaron, Steve Madden’s lesser-known but more refined brand of shoes. Preston Center, 8325 Westchester Dr. 214-696-2305. Multiple locations.

Fossee’s. It may not look inviting from the outside, but once you step in the door, you’ll realize why Fossee’s has such a dedicated following. Never-ending rows of designer and no-name labels are placed in perfect symmetrical rows, ranging in size from 3 to 12. Cynthia Rowley, Via Spiga, Stuart Weitzman, and Taryn Rose are a few of the names you’ll find. Great sales. 600 Preston Forest Shopping Center. 214-368-1534; 19009 Preston Rd., Ste. 110. 972-380-0992.

Gregory’s. The large selection of Jimmy Choo and Dolce & Gabbana reminds us of the shoe salon at Fred Segal in LA. Gregory’s also carries women’s clothing in the back. Dallas Galleria, Level I. 972-490-1285.

Naturino. For style-conscious tykes, this European shoe store in NORO (that’s North of Royal, for the acronym-challenged) has a cheeky interior and darling, yet functional shoes. Owner Lindsey Archer knows a thing or two about kids’ shoes—she’s got two cute-as-pie little ones under the age of 3 that test-drive every line in the store. 108 Preston Royal Shopping Center. 214-363-7757.

Sebastian’s Inwood Village. They have Sigerson Morrison! Sweet, little slip-on mules with barely there heels, eggplant Mary Janes, and heels that tie around your foot with patent-leather straps. They do carry other lines, but the Sigerson Morrison selection is by far the best. 5450 W. Lovers Ln., Ste. 227. 214-351-3300.

Steven Spodek. Steve and Laura Spodek are right around the corner from Sebastian’s, so when you want something a little funky or wild, be sure to stop in their boutique. We think they have the best selection of boots and sky-high heels in the city. Designs by Casadei, Stuart Weitzman, and Donald Pliner line the walls. 5600 W. Lovers Ln., Ste. 123. 214-350-3883.

Men’s Club

Don’t worry, boys. We didn’t forget you. These are our top picks for looking your best whether you’re dressing up or down.

Daniel Taylor Clothier. Suits and conservative sportswear. West Village, 3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 313. 214-521-0433.

HD Clothing Company. Hip sportswear. 3018 Greenville Ave. 214-821-5255.

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers. Suits and conservative sportswear. 4025 Northwest Pkwy. 214-691-9199.

Ken’s Man’s Shop. Suits. 309 Preston Royal Shopping Center. 214-369-5367.

Lombardo Custom Apparel. Suits and sportswear. 8315 Preston Rd. 214-265-8488.

Nordstrom Rack. Off-priced sportswear. 1701 Preston Rd., Plano. 972-267-1414.

Pockets. Suits and sportswear. 9669 N. Central Expwy., Ste. 100. 214-368-1167.

Sara Lasier. Hip sportswear. West Village, 3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 310. 214-252-9833.

Stanley Korshak. Suits and sportswear.500 Crescent Court, Ste. 100. 214-871-3600.