Summer in St. Louis has been anything but typical, so you may be as confused as I am about what month this is. Whether you need to add something light and breezy to get you through the rest of the summer (according to the calendar, anyway), or sense fall in the air and are thinking more transitional, there are great finds to be had right here in the CWE.
10denza, 44 Maryland Plaza, has a selection of flip-flops handcrafted in the USA that are dressy enough to be worn for special occasions, $22 to $28, above. The same Georgia-based company makes an orchid-colored ballet flat with orange-enamel pendant (shown on the table), $31.50. If the flip-flops or flats get a little dirty, remove the bows and jewels, and stick them in the dishwasher. Voila! You're ready to slip-slide out the door once again…
10denza's shoe sale extends to bucketfeet (middle row) for men, women & children from $31.50, J Shoes, upper left, $121 to $137, & Pumas, upper right, $38.50 to $56, sized for men and women.
When I stopped in AG Adriano Goldschmeid, 36 Maryland Plaza, there wasn't one article of summer clothing left in the store…say goodbye to all that! Instead, the newest, just-unpacked items the shop offers are a lovely single-pleat silk blouse, $178, also available in black; and the "Jackson fit" tuxedo skinny pant in cotton polyester and lycra, $235, also available in blue denim.
The latest up-to-datest at lululemon, 26 Maryland Plaza, is this great-looking "after class" lightweight cardigan, open at the collar or worn flipped upside down with ribbing at the top, $108, also available in black and white. The sweater has thumbholes in the sleeves to keep your hands warm, or just because it's so cool…
Cropped yoga pants with ruched detail are $78, and the "festival bag," $68, is made of a polyester fabric that repels water and has lots of pockets. It comes in ice blue or black and can hold 50 pounds!…50 pounds of what I wonder?
I wish I could still wear sleeveless dresses, but alas time is not on my side (don't you hate when that happens?). The black ruffled dress with kangaroo pockets shown above, $130, is just fabulous-looking! You'll find this polyester and lycra "perfect little number" at Libby's, 4742 McPherson. The black stone and silver necklace shown on the mannequin is $28.
Bowood Farms, 4605 Olive, stocks a selection of light-weight, hand-dyed tops in multiple colors, handmade by women in Thailand. The sleeveless version is $34, short-sleeve is $38, and long-sleeve is $42.
I suspect you can time the disappearance of "the watch as accessory" with the rise of "the cellphone as clock." Happily, wearing a timepiece on your wrist is back! Brian Flowers at Q Boutique at World Chess Hall of Fame, 4652 Maryland Avenue, has had the pleasant task of reordering the great-looking Michael Graves' watches, $145 to $165, they've been so popular. Be sure to check out the Michael Graves exhibition at the museum too. It remains on view until September 28.
An easy fix to perking up your "look" may be as simple as a new pair of sunglasses. Cassie's, 316 N. Euclid, carries inexpensive stylish shades, $18.75. The pair shown at the top have been the most popular and fly out the door each time they're reordered.
I used to think that the Lily Pulitzer brand was so…well, Palm Beachy – now it looks like a breath of fresh air. Maybe I'm yearning for some beach time myself. Pull out $10 (plus tax) at Cassie's and you can tote a sea creature around with you, see above. According to proprietor Cassie Buell, everyone loves the mermaids. The yearly planners, bottom, $17 to $28, come with lots of cute stickers to make you want to actually look in the book, which, alas, seems to be my problem these days (not looking).
I realize that tablewear isn't wearable, but why not think about a new look to dining al fresco as well. Lots of people seem to be setting up picnics around the grounds of The Muny before a performance this summer, wouldn't these Lily Pulitzer melamine plates, 4 for $30, plastic glasses, 6 for $16, and tumblers with pink straw, $16, add some je ne sais quoi?
Okay, enough goofiness with descriptions…I'm obviously ready for the weekend. Get out there and show the shops some love…they can use it, and so can you!