Looking for the latest-and-greatest baby gifts and mommy must-haves? That would be found at BabyBliss, which caters to chic moms and their trendy little ones who want nothing less than the best. Owner Carrie Barnard has an instinct for what parents want to buy, and more importantly--what kids actually want to wear. And her shop offers virtually everything any well-to-do tot could ever dream for, ranging from apparel and accessories to toys, furniture, bedding, and state-of-the-art baby gear from the likes of Pink Chicken, Aden + Anais, Flink Living and more. Since it's never too early to be fashion-forward, there's also an adjoining sister store-- miniME, which caters to toddlers and kids with everything from stylish garb to bedroom decor.
Recommended for Boutiques because: BabyBliss is one of Dallas' top boutiques for babies, and its sister store miniMe is equally awesome for older kids.
Ilene's expert tip: BabyBliss offers free gift wrapping which includes a BabyBliss box or bag.
For more than three decades, Terry Costa has been providing the area's fashion-forward crowd with a wide array of exclusively designed formal apparel at a great price point. We're talking some of the hottest styles in evening attire, bridal gowns and prom dresses from designers such as Sherri Hill, Madison James and Angelina Faccenda for prices as low as $180. And it doesn't stop there: the store offers a unique selection of casual day-dresses and day-to-evening dresses along with shoes, jewelry, purses and clutches too. For red carpet-worthy glam on a budget, this is your place.
Recommended for Boutiques because: Terry Costa is the best place in Dallas to buy prom, evening and bridal dresses without breaking the bank.
Ilene's expert tip: Keep an eye on Facebook for Terry Costa's trunk shows and special sales, when you can find gowns and other merchandise heavily discounted.
Whether it's straight from someone's private collection or right off the runway, there are enough designer and vintage goodies in this shop to send any discerning fashionista into sensory overload. Picture everything from Victorian corsets and 1950s petal dresses to gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories by the likes of Pucci, Chanel and Dior. Planning a wedding? The store houses an impressive collection of hand-picked vintage wedding dresses. And if you're on the hunt for something even rarer, owners Ken Weber and Greg Kelly are who you'll want to see-- they've provided historically accurate clothing for exhibits, movies, and TV, including the AMC hit show "Mad Men."
Recommended for Boutiques because: Vintage Martini offers the largest collection of designer and vintage apparel in the Southwest.
Ilene's expert tip: Vintage Martini's items are already heavily discounted; however, you can score even better deals when you shop the store's graveyard section.
Known formally as The Gypsy Wagon, this Henderson Avenue lifestyle boutique may have changed its name, but it still offers a dazzling collection of Boho-style apparel as well as accessories, gifts, jewelry and unique home décor, most of which have been handcrafted by local artisans. As for clothing, the shop carries everything from jumpsuits, wrap dresses and knit cardigans for women to onesies, rompers and hand embroidered Mexican dresses for kids. Expect to also find wall hangings, crocheted pillows and kilim rugs along with candles, stationary and Texas-themed knickknacks. The best part? Most items can be had without burning a hole in your wallet, meaning you'll have a difficult time leaving here empty-handed.
Recommended for Boutiques because: Favor The Kind is a terrific place to go for unique apparel and gifts.
Ilene's expert tip: Receive special discounts and be the first to know about sales and store events by joining the mailing list on the website.
Fashion-savvy shoppers know this is the place to score great-fitting designer jeans. But Indigo also boasts an outstanding selection of clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories-- many of which can be had for a steal. Owners Denise Manoy and her husband Keith have an impeccable eye for fashion, and it shows in the store's evolving inventory of under-the-radar labels, including apparel from local clothing designer and Project Runway alum, Shirin Askari, and designer Tendai Tawonezvi of Neo Bantu. Men can load up on items such as Jet Lag shorts, Mavi jeans and George Roth shirts, while trendy ladies can snag everything from sexy cocktail numbers to a variety of baubles, bags and trinkets.
Recommended for Boutiques because: Indigo 1745 has an awesome selection of on-trend and affordable fashions for men and women.
Ilene's expert tip: Mention "Eliza Pinckney" at the register to get 20% off any regularly priced item.
Sure, you can find a plethora of places in the Dallas area to shop for jeans but finding a high-quality pair with a perfect fit can often be a challenge. So to meet that challenge, Jeff Kauffman and Bennie Reed opened Deep Ellum Denim, a shop that specializes in raw selvedge denim for men and women. This means that the denim you'll find here is unwashed, untreated and comes straight off vintage shuttle looms, resulting in a longer lasting product that holds its fit. Expect to find a wide-ranging inventory of jeans and apparel from Japanese labels such as Momotaro, Japan Blue and Naked & Famous as well as Swedish and American brands, Nudie Jeans and Tellason.
Recommended for Boutiques because: Deep Ellum Denim stocks the largest collection of raw selvedge denim in DFW.
Ilene's expert tip: Note there is a free parking lot behind the denim shop at intersection of Commerce and Hall.
New York designer Nicole Kwon has Dallas stitched up when it comes to the array of on-trend fashions lining the rails in her eponymous Uptown boutique. The shop not only carries a carefully curated selection of handbags, jewelry, shoes and apparel from the likes of Rachel Comey, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, A.L.C. and Mara Hoffman, it also provides a platform for up-and-coming designers across the globe. Recent finds include Mother Denim distressed jeans, off-the-shoulder linen dresses by Whit, velvet platform sandals from Intropia and Clare V Lauren crossbody bags. Be sure to check the website regularly for sales when you can find items going for half-price.
Recommended for Boutiques because: Nicolas Kwon offers an amazing inventory at a surprisingly reasonable price point.
Ilene's expert tip: Nicole Kwon has some amazing sales, but items go fast. Best to sign up for the newsletter to find out in advance when things will be marked down.
Former Nordstrom menswear buyer, Deavon Moore, opened this industrial-chic boutique in 2016 with the sole objective of creating a one-stop-spot where men would want to shop. Which means, not only is the store stocked with a stellar showcase of stylish clothing from both emerging and well-known designers, it also carries footwear, accessories, grooming items, gadgets and even quirky gifts (think Darth Vader ice molds). Expect to find jeans from the likes of Paige Denim; Zachary Prell shirts, and outerwear by Rodd & Gunn alongside Randolph Engineering sunglasses and Anderson's belts. The store also houses a women's section filled with beauty products from Plume, Kai, Leef Organics and SOCO Botanicals.
Recommended for Boutiques because: DLM Supply is the best shop in Dallas for casual, hip menswear.
Ilene's expert tip: DLM advertises sales on Facebook. The store now carries apparel for women and kids.
Since 1999, Connie Sigel's chic University Park boutique has been a favorite of style-conscious locals thanks to its impeccable collection of the season's latest threads. Among fashion heavyweights like Missoni, Zimmermann and MSGM, you will also find designs from rising stars such as Katharine Kidd and Hunter Bell, many of which are exclusive to the boutique. There's also a tempting selection of shoes, handbags, jewelry and gifts plus they offer wardrobe consultation, alterations, delivery and complimentary gift wrap. Average prices range from $200 to $900 but keep watch for the shop's end-of-season sale when you snag items priced at 75% off.
Recommended for Boutiques because: Elements is where to go for the ultimate fashion fix from the latest established and indie designers.
Ilene's expert tip: Follow on Facebook to find out about the latest inventory and sales, including the shop's twice a year end-of-season sale.
Retail therapy doesn't get much better than at this four-level, 37,000 square foot luxury boutique--where you'll find plenty of posh threads for men and women from the likes of Stella McCartney, Proenza, Marc Jacobs and Thom Browne. The store also carries a phenomenal collection of handbags, shoes and jewelry, as well as beauty products and decorative items for the home. Everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Oprah and Laura Bush shop here-- so as you might expect, prices tend to run on the steeper side. Though, even if your budget can't stretch far enough to squeeze in a little Victoria Beckham number, you can still walk away with one-of-a-kind trinkets without breaking the bank. Not-to-be-missed is Mirador, the store's ultra-chic eatery perched on the top floor.
Recommended for Boutiques because: Forty Five Ten has an international reputation for being one of the top luxury boutiques in the country.
Ilene's expert tip: Complimentary valet parking is available in front of the store at the Elm Street Motor Court. Guests can also grab quick bites at No Aloha cafe on the entrance level.