Detour

1300 E. Brady St.
273-5156
detouronline.com

Probably the most well-known and popular store is Detour, a modern store with an urban twist that caters to both men and women. It carries upscale brands such as Rock and Republic, Habitual and Gwen Stefani’s popular line, L.A.M.B.

Detour is best known for its wide selection of jeans, featuring brands like Diesel and Citizens of Humanity. Prices range from $90 to nearly $300.

Another plus about Detour is its handbag selection. The store recently started carrying the Kooba line of handbags, which celebrities like Sienna Miller and Sarah Jessica Parker have been seen carrying. These bags are made from genuine leather and have intricate details that make them stand out from other bags.

– Andrea Dolnik

Envy

2203 N. Farwell Ave.
755-0030

Walking into this new young women’s boutique is kind of like entering a candy shop.

This is because Envy deals in “skate and surf” apparel, shoes and accessories in flaunty, sugary shades, like soft and cheery greens, pinks and yellows.

Top brands include Volcom, Roxy and Vans. Cute T-shirts include a rack of Tokidoki brand Japanese anime tops.

The owner of Phase II Clothing and Skateboard across the street opened Envy to offer skate-driven fashion for women. The store has a fun atmosphere with green accents on the walls and 1960s decor.

A wide selection of sneakers from skateboard lines covers the walls. There are also dress shoes by Chinese Laundry. One intriguing shoe has a thong with an Egyptian-like leaf and an amber gem.

There are lots of accessories to compliment every outfit. Envy’s bags are funky and functional, and range from makeup bags to overnight bags. Some necklaces have big, glass beads while others have smaller stones. There are silver watches with colored faces.

Customers appreciate the relatively inexpensive, yet quality, jeans, which run from $40 to $100. Buyer Jenny Toy said she tries to keep everything under $100, a good price for a little sweetness.

– Tasha Paradies

Mr. Shoe

1533 N. Farwell Ave.
277-0660
mrshoe.net

If keeping your feet beautifully adorned is important to you, stop in at Mr. Shoe.

This shop has an abundance of every season’s shoes. The prices are reasonable, sometimes downright shockingly cheap, and the location is terribly convenient.

There are upsides to inexpensive footwear and definite downsides. If you catch a good sale, you can get 30 pair of shoes at Mr. Shoe for the price of one new pair of Manolo Blahniks.

The unfortunate part of buying low-priced shoes is you get what you pay for. Many of the pairs of heeled shoes people buy will have to be re-heeled after wearing them five times. At the same time, most people (myself included) still think the shoes are very worth the price.

If you go in to buy some shoes, there is a sweet little blonde girl who works there (I think her name is Lindsey). Look for her to help you — she is helpful, nice and goes out of her way to get your feet into a pair of shoes you’ll love.

The owner, Lee Sloane, is often there, greeting customers and offering his help. He tries to be helpful, but seems to be trying too hard to sell shoes, no matter how well they may or may not mesh with your style.

All in all, with all of the sales, and all those pretty shoes, Mr. Shoe is a trip worth taking. With the summer festivals quickly approaching, you’re going to need some comfortable and adorable footwear to be walking around in all day. Call me before you go — we can carpool.

– Devon Marie Wiesend

Moxy

2219 N. Farwell Ave.
220-9910
moxyonline.com

Cool and comfortable describes Moxy, an East Side must-see for contemporary women’s and men’s clothing.

Some of the light and airy clothing currently displayed will definitely arouse anticipation for spring breezes. Carrie Bradshaw of “Sex and the City” might wear one of Moxy’s white and fluffy A-line skirts, adorned with sparingly placed peach and teal flowers and shimmering with white-bead detail.

On the casual side, women’s designer T-shirts showcase flowering, Art Nouveau designs. Menswear includes T-shirt lines, wovens and Puma jackets.

This generously-sized shop features carefully selected premium denim from names such as Seven, Citizens of Humanity and True Religion. A shopper is guaranteed to look good in the same labels of denim worn by celebrities, because free tailoring is offered with any regularly priced jean.

Prices range from $25 to $250. When it comes to this spring season, Kim Reiter, who owns the store with her husband, said trends include skinny leg boot cut jeans, stripes and classic white.

With an intriguing selection and pleasant customer service, a trip to Moxy will definitely keep you up-to-date this fashion season.

– Tasha Paradies

Starship

1661 N. Farwell Ave.
277-0646
starshipnet.com

Move on over to Farwell Avenue and you will find the store Starship, a store with an urban rock vibe that offers clothing for both men and women.

Starship carries brands like Puma, Paul Frank and Dickies. Starship also has an impressive selection of jeans, cute printed T-shirts and Puma bags.

– Andrea Dolnik

Three Graces

1330 E. Brady St.
273-3350
threegracesonline.com

Another unique store is Three Graces, a contemporary women’s clothing store that features up and coming designers and labels like BCBG and sister label To the Max.

Both labels have a bohemian-chic appeal and use bold prints and colors to make them stand out from other brands.

Three Graces is the best place to find a special occasion outfit. It carries a wide variety of dresses and shoes that are perfect for an evening out. One of the best things about Three Graces is its unique and stunning jewelry selection. The jewelry case is filled with sparkling earrings, necklaces and rings.

Be sure to stop in the Brady Street location while you can. Three Graces will soon be moving to larger space in the Third Ward so it can expand its store and continue to grow.

– Andrea Dolnik

> Comments