Trés Jolie
Oh-la-la French fashion finds. Sure, it may be French, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. And it may be on trend, but everyone else doesn’t have to own it. This is the philosophy behind the curated collection shoppers will find in Chic Jolie. Owner Aila Ionescu uses her designer connections from years of trips to Paris to bring high-fashion dresses, separates and outerwear Stateside. She buys in limited quantities, and new pieces come in every month, so get in while it’s “haute.” Chic Jolie, 24 Taylor Place, Westport, 203-341-0711; chicjolie.com
Hot Step
You can tell a lot about a man by his shoes, so the opening of Allen Edmonds’ first Connecticut location on Main Street is especially good news. Sure there are shoes—over seventy-five styles at last count—but this is a lifestyle destination with 2,000 square feet of denim, travel bags, iPad cases, golf gear and then some. The unique Tokens & Icons collection is a must-see for gift-giving choices—think bottle openers made of baseball bats, and cuff links fashioned from old stadium seats. Allen Edmonds, 69 Main St. Westport, 203-221-7003; allenedmonds.com
Shady Business
The iconic British manufacturer of paint and wallpaper, Farrow & Ball, has recently opened its doors in Westport. Featuring a color wall boasting an edited selection of 132 paints, this showroom caters to area homeowners who are used to having lots of choices. In addition to an in-home color consultancy service, in-store events will be a mainstay. Design enthusiasts will learn about the latest color trends and how to incorporate them into their homes—be the style traditional English Tudor or an edgy, all-American contemporary. Farrow & Ball, 396 Post Road East, Westport, 203-221-3117; farow-ball.com
