Tiffany & Stephen Go Shopping!
An abbreviated, annotated Austin fashion guide, part 1
By Stephen MacMillan Moser, Fri., June 3, 2005
"They're gonna put me in the movies; they're gonna make a big star out of me..." If I heard her sing that one more time, I was going to wring her scrawny neck. Even if she was my little fashion-victim niece Tiffany, she was working my last nerve. You might remember dear little Tiffany – my brother's conniving little 19-year-old who tried to usurp my title: The Style Avatar, by submitting a fashion column... Well, she's back. It seems that someone claiming to be associated with VH1 met her in town at a club and has invited her to L.A. in August to film an "audition sequence" for consideration in a new "Reality Show." Yeah, whatever. It's all so vague that I'm betting it's all a big fraud, though her parents checked it out, claiming it was legit (well, as legit as that could ever be considered). So ol' Tiff has her knickers in a wad about it and is insisting that I help her prepare for her trip. OK, fine. There's no question she needs help, but will she listen to my sage advice? "Uncle Steeephen," she whined, "I need everything and lots of it!" This is going to be a nightmare unless I'm careful. I agree to pick her up at her sorority house and announced that we would not be going to the mall, but that we would shop the city in sections over a period of time.
From the hidden recesses of my shoulder bag, I whipped out my detailed, abbreviated, annotated fashion map of Austin, tacked it to the wall in front of me, and began considering the places we would go to. Certainly there was something in every store we'd want to see, but there was no way I would be able to spend that kind of time with a 19-year-old. Anyway, staying close to home, our first mission was to cover the university area and north. With so many tempting stores, I just shut my eyes and started throwing darts – and a few of them even hit the map. First, I took Tiff to Cream Vintage because even though their selection of vintage daytime and casual dresses is fabulous, there was a to-die-for 1950s cocktail dress in the window that I knew I'd wear if I were going to L.A. Then we went to Shiki because it rises above its competitors in style and selection for young women, and I can be assured that everything there will always be pretty. Finally, we went to Wardrobe, though I knew their avant-garde taste was going to be a little too sophisticated for her; I wanted her to see something more original than the Gap. by Stephen MacMillan Moser
1) Blue Velvet (M, W, V, C, S, J, A)
Legendary for their vintage selection, it is all that you expect – but what is unexpected is the great home furnishings (or dorm furnishings) section.2100-B Guadalupe, 472-9399
2) Edge (M, W, V, C, S, A)
Customizing, altering, reworking, and restructuring of vintage clothes, plus a vast selection of footwear and accessories.2354 Guadalupe, 320-0666
3) Cream Vintage (M, W, V, C, S, J)
The vintage T-shirts are practically museum-quality, and the selection of everything else is awesome – great casual dresses ... all this and a live-music venue, too!2532 Guadalupe, 474-8787
4) Legs Diamond (M, W, C, S, J, A)
Pretty in punk – for the perennial T-shirts, jewel-ry and necessary accessories ... and for the shoes: excellent styling for men and women.2430 Guadalupe, 477-1559
5) Pangaea Trading Co. (W, H)
Imported housewares, home decor, and nicely priced casual women's clothing, all with the cachet of the exotic traveler.2712-B Guadalupe, 472-3533
6) Avant Garde Salon and Spa
The Avant empire is an Austin institution, employing its own training and technique... and, of course, all the superb Aveda products.3405 Guadalupe, 458-5231
7) Shiki (W, C, J, A)
Staking its claim in the deadly competitive young women's retail market, Shiki always does it best for casual wear, bags, and jewelry.3407-H Guadalupe, 371-7767
8) Adelante (W, C, J, A)
Great jewelry and accessories, along with a vast array of bright and fun casual separates for women.1206 W. 38th #4104, 452-5322
9) Sage Salon
Owner Maristella Ostrewich is an Austin salon veteran. For all hair-care needs, including marvelous products from Leonor Greyl and Davines.4111 Medical Pkwy., 458-2133
10) The Garden Room (W, C, S, J, A)
Whether dressing up or dressing down, dressing well is always on the agenda. Stylish women's wear from head to toe.5 Jefferson Square on Kerbey Lane, 458-5407
11) Things Celtic (M, W, C, J, A)
A very special specialty store. From kilts to swords, jewelry to accessories, and candles to coloring books, Things Celtic is always a pleasure.1806 W. 35th, 472-2358
12) Wardrobe (W, C, J, A)
Sophisticated, imaginative, and artistic women's wear; fabulous jewelry; and a new in-store boutique from Vën Shoe Salon.1715 W. 35th #101, 458-3846
13) Capra & Cavelli (M, C, J, A)
An Austin institution for the best-dressed man, with selections in made-to-order head-to-toe elegance ... but don't overlook the intimate but fine selection of women's wear, too.3500 Jefferson #110, 450-1919
14) Zin American Bistro & Bar
Asian, Mexican, Caribbean, and South American influences combined with an American sensibility – but great burgers, fries, and salads, too. More wine, please!1601 W. 38th #1, 377-5252
