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Contents
Gift
Guide 2
clothing
guide
Scene
Stealers
It
Girls
4th-Grade
Somethings
Little
Women
Action
Jacksons
Shredding
Bettys
Boys
to Men
Edge
of 17
Dads
Who Dig
Hip
Mamas
Gift
Guide 1
$35 and
up
Fun
and Games
Literary License
Windows Shopping
Kitchen Aid
Get Out
Gremlin-Free Gizmos
Discmen
Skintillating
Eat, Drink and
Be Merry
Gifts That Keep On Giving
Child's Play
Well-Furnished
Gimcracks and Geegaws
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hip
mamas
BY SUSIE
CIESZEWSKI
Busy moms are often too robbed of time to pay much attention
to fashion editors' dictums, but they know what they like.
It might not always show, but even as they scamper to the
market for more milk or toss on sweats to meet the bus, moms
are style-savvy. They also have very individual needs and
desires when it comes to potential gifts.
Stay-at-home mom Michelle De Passe, 37, has taken a hiatus
from her construction-management career to care for her
15-month-old son, Harrison. Like many new moms, she'd like
to forget about diapers and laundry for a few decadent hours
here and there.
"I'd like some clothes that I can't breast-feed in! Something
my husband will find sexy," declares Michelle. With a background
in interior design, she examines fabric, cut and construction
like she's buying next season's line for Saks. She's partial
to the groovy boutiques on Northeast Broadway and wants
Santa to think slinky and body-hugging. Some "surprise"
silver bracelets would be nifty too.
Julie Bergstrom, 39, works as an administrator while her
4-year-old, Olivia, goes to daycare and 6-year-old Carter
spends his days in kindergarten. Working downtown helps
her track fashion trends, but she's practical at heart.
"Last year my husband got me Joe Boxer flannel pajamas,"
says Julie, "and I loved them!" She's hoping for some Annick
Goutal perfume, a hooded sweatshirt from the Gap and maybe
a black Yak pack, but I'm telling Santa to tuck a lacy teddy
into Julie's stocking just so she'll keep believing in the
big guy.
the
goods:
madam meets matisse
"Kicky?" I inquired. "Sassy!" Emily, the saleswoman,
confirmed. That's the beauty of Matisse--the staffers speak
style shorthand and trust you to get it, or you wouldn't be
in the store. Looking like Coco Chanel's workroom, with velvets
tossed in baskets and lacy gowns festooning the walls, Matisse
is the first and last word in funky elegance. Mama Michelle
put together her wish list in a few fleeting child-free moments.
Nothing says give-me-back-my-pre-baby-body better than this
clingy, black nylon/spandex slip ($69 by Only Hearts
NYC). It can be worn by itself if you're home alone (alone
meaning with man, without child); otherwise, top it with a
long-sleeved, transparent mesh dress ($119 by Rozae
Nichols) and it screams sophistication. Amazingly, these two
dresses are made by separate designers; they go together perfectly.
Matisse, 1411 NE Broadway, 287-5414.
shoe-aholics
anonymous
If you have a shoe problem, stay away from this store. I
thought I was immune to places like Halo Shoes: "No, thanks,
just browsing, don't need anything right now." But while
Michelle selected black Fornaria shoes for herself,
I surreptitiously whipped out my credit card to buy them
in red. An exaggerated round toe and chunky high heel make
these shoes look like they belong on Minnie Mouse. Called
the "Dolly," they are stunners, and I'm happy they're mine.
$79 at Halo Shoes, 2428 NE Broadway, 331-0366.
baubles,
bangles and beads
An all-black evening outfit cries out in the dark
for some shiny objects to jazz critical pulse points. Milky
glass teardrop-shaped earrings dotted with blue topaz are
a sparkly addition to this ensemble ($50). Drape a ropey
silver bracelet ($56) around someone's wrist, then top it
with a delicate silver chain supporting semi-precious opal
and topaz stones ($63). All at Trade Roots, 1831 NE Broadway,
281-5335.
a slip
of a thing
Burn-out velvets have not yet burned out. Velvet conveys
an air of luxury, and that never goes out of style. This
geometrically-patterned teal scarf is made by local
designer Dana Herbert. Don't be surprised if your toddler
co-opts it as her new binky 'cause of its satiny feel. $34
at Trade Roots.
fuzzy
as a little lamb
No animal sacrificed its hide for this curly-haired
jacket by Riki. The silky-textured olive sweater is
cozy and versatile; it will be the one she continually grabs.
It could start life in her closet as a dress-up coat, but
soon she'll be wearing it to the office. Eventually, its
supreme comfort will earn it an at-the-ready perch hanging
on her bedroom doorknob. Flattering torso tucks give this
otherwise floppy garment good shape. $104 at Paloma Clothing,
6316 SW Capitol Highway, 246-3417.
another
white shirt?
Just like black pants, a working woman can never have too
many white blouses. And this one, by Cut Loose, is
not more of the same. The crinkly rayon material has a crepelike
texture that gives it an elegant edge, and tiny ruffles
following the button placket lend a vintage look. And because
a child's mess is drawn to Mom's favorite clothes like crayons
to a wall, this baby is washable. $68 at Paloma Clothing.
i'm
outta here!
If you flounce out of the room after an argument in a flounce-trimmed
skirt, do you win the fight? The finish of a flippy
hemline transforms this elastic-waist skirt from a boring
tube into a swirling gown. This rayon, aubergine number
by Riki pairs up with clogs, boots or heels with equal aplomb.
Mom can dress it up for the charity ball or simply look
hip at the PTA bake sale. $100 at Paloma.
moons of jupiter
I've seen this moonglow matter in the form of space eggs
at science stores. Now the otherworldly iridescence has
landed on Julie's earlobes in the form of light-catching
topaz. Guaranteed to garner gushing praise, these
jewels impart a luminescence to the wearer's complexion.
Also check out the natural-fiber clothing and dozens of
nativity scenes at this magical Broadway boutique. $35 at
Trade Roots.
also consider:
unclog my heart
Julie says, "Clogs are my fashion tennis shoes." Traditionally,
what makes a clog a clog is its wooden platform, open heel
and fantastic arch support. But the scores of slip-ons,
lined up like multi-colored jelly beans at this cloggery,
break old-world rules. The ergonomic structure is still
in place, but many clogs now feature closed backs or adjustable
straps, which answer complaints about the shoes being difficult
to traipse about in. The most popular makes are Dansko from
Denmark and Sweden's Bastad and Sven. Big this season are
the Anywhere Clogs made of rubber in 20 colors. $44.95-$49.95
at Clogs 'N' More, 717 SW Alder St., 279-9358.
naughty
knits
Give thanks for the new wave of gleaming garments and a
lax mélange of daytime-into-night wear. (No more
Jackie Collins beaded sweaters or boring silk blouses. The
2-month-old boutique Suzan's Closet specializes in this
loamy realm, stocking clothes such as the seductive sweaters
by Jete. In both pullover ($95) and zip cardigan ($107)
formats, these pieces are accented by slivered stripes of
sheer mesh. Reveal, don't conceal. Suzan's Clozet, 2006
NE Broadway, 528-8367.
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