Phillips Place

poole shop

poole shop focuses on emerging & unique designers and has a fashion vibe that is high style (but not hipster) and upscale (but not platinum card) with A.L.C., 3.1 Phillip Lim, See by Chloe,  Vanessa Bruno, Alexander Wang, Hanii Y.  Plus, a great denim selection from Current Elliott, Stella McCartney, Notify, Rag & Bone, Made in Heaven and Acne.  Since they relocated into their larger space in Phillips Place, poole shop has also expanded their shoe collection.

6815-C Phillips Place Ct.    704-553-8868     Hours:     Mon-Sat:  10am-6pm.   Closed Sundays. Return Policy: Exchange or store credit with receipt within 7 days.

k. la

The main thing to remember about K.La. is UNDER $100.  This is the place to pick up cute, trendy things at inexpensive prices; literallymost everything in the store is less than $100.   K.La features up-and-coming new designers from LA in an ever-changing assortment plus jeans from Rock &Republic, Joe’s  and True Religion (and yes, these are over $100).   Check out K.La’s  accessory selection—bangles, bracelets, cocktail rings, sunglasses—along with their designer knockoffs for more budget thrills.

6815-B Phillips Place Ct. 704-643-7800    Hours:  Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.   Closed Sundays.

Return Policy : Exchange or store credit with receipt and tags on within 10 days.

luna

For the young, trendy and slender Charlotte shopper, Luna features adorable options from designers such as Citizens, Seven, BCBG, Theory, Trina Turk and Juicy.   Not necessarily the place for staples or standards but great for something unique and hip.  And for the record, there’s plenty here for the not-so-young shopper too.

6809 Phillips Place Ct.,  (704) 554-6000   Return Policy: Store Credit w/receipt w/in 14 days.Hours:    M-Sat  10am - 7pm.    OPEN  Sunday noon - 6pm www.shopluna.com

coplon’s

This high-end fashion store is surprisingly easy to shop and well-organized.  The selection is high style with an emphasis on the classic rather than the avant-garde.  In addition to clothing brands too numerous to list here (check the website for a running list of possibilities) Coplon’s offers a selection  of designer shoes (Jimmy Choo, Louboutin, D&G), and one of the city’s best selections of evening gowns, cocktail and black-tie wear.   Billing itself as “the ultimate shopping experience,”  Coplon’s often meets this high standard, albeit with a high price tag.  Shopping here is not for the faint of wallet.

6800-F Phillips Place Ct.,   704-643-1113 Hours:   M-Sat  10am - 6pm.      Closed Sundays

via venetto

Now housed in two storefronts next to each other, Via Venetto has significantly expanded its clothing selection.  The corner location is now (again actually) mostly footwear, with the latest styles from Donald Plinner, Cole Haan, Delman, Giusseppe Zannotti, Cassadei, Taryn Rose, Luciano Padovan, Badgley Mischka.  Plus a new mid-price brand Olivia Rose Tall which you won’t find on everyfoot.  The clothing store carries an a very accomodating range…young, work, casual, hip, conservative.  Michael Kors, Christopher Blue, Farinaz, isda, white and warren, ali ro, muse, donna morgan, majestic.  Literally there is something for everyone here.

6815 Phillips Place Ct.,   (704) 556-0710

Hours:    M-Sat  10am - 6pm.    OPEN  Sunday 1-5 pm

trcw

The women’s division of Taylor, Richards, Conger, TRCW offers high quality and classic style paired with exceptional personal service. Featured lines such as D. Exterior, Brunello Cucinelli and Peserico are complemented by boutique specialty lines such as 120% Lino, Gunex, RIVAMONTI and Inhabit.

6907 Phillips Place Ct.,   (704)366-2905   Hours:   M-F  10am-7pm.   Sat 10am - 6 pm.    Closed Sundays.

www.trcstyle.com

Phillips Place — The Allen Tate Building

our place

This store’s new-ish location is conveniently in the Allen Tate Bldg.  right next to Phillips Place on Fairview, and next to a favorite lunch spot, Cafe Monte.  The owner Ginny & her daughter Mechelle try hard to stock an affordable mix of casual, career, and travel clothing with just enough fashion edge.  There are boutique brands here you don’t find many other places….Hoss Intropia, Conditions Apply (from London), Odd Molly (from Stockholm), Sita Murt (from Spain).  And they are a destination store for Michael Stars.   Plus, lots of accessories that won’t break the bank.  Our Place wants to help you make your wardrobe work.  Bring in a piece you love from seasons past and they will help you update it with a few new pieces and accessories.  They call it “wardrobing,” just ask.  And don’t forget to sign up for their emails to get the great deals they only promote to their customer list.

6700 Fairview Rd.  Suite 104,  (704)          Hours:  Mon-Fri:  10am-6pm.  Sat:  10am-5pm.  Closed Sundays.

Return Policy: 14 days for instore credit.  Or take it out on “approval” to get a full refund to your card.

nitsa’s

Nitsa’s specializes in cocktail and “social occasion attire” and offers a full-service bridal salon carrying lines such as Vera Wang and Reem Acra. The store offers a professional alterations staff to ensure the perfect fit.

4705 Savings Place (Fairview Rd right before Phillips Place)   (704) 940-1999

Hours:       M-Sat  10am - 6pm.          Closed Sundays.

www.nitsas.com

Morrison (otherwise known as the “EarthFare Shopping Center”)

capitol

This is Charlotte’s most store:  most high-end, most luxurious, most coveted designers, most gorgeous to shop, most unique living garden wall this side of Architectural Digest.  Owner Laura Vinroot Poole stocks her new two-story boutique with the absolutely latest in designer fashion.  What you see in Town & Country, Elle, Vogue, you will see it here.  You will find the designers you know, like Oscar de la Renta & Valentino and the ones you can’t find anywhere else in Charlotte, like  Thakoon, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Erin Fetherston.  And you’ll be happily surprised to  find new and cutting edge designers you know you’ll soon be hearing about.

4010 Sharon Rd.,  (at Colony) 704-366-0388

Hours:       Mon-Sat 10 am - 6 pm.    Closed Sundays.     Returns for in-store credit only.

e. martini

Looking for an elegant women’s lingerie and the best selection of designer bathing suits in town?    E Martini is the answer.  Popular swimsuit brands are Vitamin A, Letarte, Robin Piccone, Vix (young and tiny) and Hermanny (more “mature” styling a.k.a covered up).  Plus, they will alter your suit top so it suits your shape perfectly (and you know what I mean).  E. Martini also carries cover-ups, suit skirts and tunics to match almost every suit in the store.   So there’s no excuse not to look fab at the pool even if you never actually take your cover up OFF.    The store also has a gorgeous selection of designer underpinnings from what owner Elaine calls the perfect “everyday pretty” contoured cup t-shirt bra and to large cup sizes she aptly calls “feminine instead of industrial.”

720 Governor Morrison St. (704)442-5535            Return Policy: Exchange only w/in 30 days w/tags attached.

Hours:       M-F                        Sat                       Closed Sundays.

chez elle

Unique labels, exclusive designers, something stylish and affordable for everyone.   Chez Elle owner Laryn Adams recognizes that most boutiques in Charlotte carry a lot of the same labels and strives to provide her customers something new and different.   Right now you’ll find Elijah, James Coviello, Mara Hoffman, Lauren Moffat, Amanda Upchard, and Rory Beca and  new, emerging designers like Tt & queue.  While the brands don’t always cooperate, Chez Elle tries to negotiate exclusivity for lines you won’t find anywhere else in town, which is nice if you don’t want to see yourself coming and going every time you buy something cute.   Footnote:  don’t miss the absolute steals on the jewelry table…I saw about 8 rings I wanted between $28-$34.

532 Governor Morrison St.   (704) 365-4680        Hours:  Mon-Sat  10 am - 6 pm.    Closed Sundays.

black & blue

Black & Blue, tucked in the back of the Morrison shops, is destination denim with a combination of staples like Kasil, Anlo and Habitual as well as trendier designers like Tavernini, Aristocrat, and Stitch’s and men’s options such as Genetic, Hudson and Chip and Pepper. From boot cut to skinny to trouser, the jeans options are endless.   The store also carries a wide selection of tops, tees, dresses and accessories to go with your perfect pair of designer denim.    Charlotteans love to shop this store — Black & Blue won the “best place to buy jeans” award in their first year open (2008) from Charlotte magazine’s BOB awards.

532 Governor Morrison St. (704)366-9339       Hours:  Mon-Fri 10am-7pm;  Sat  10am-6pm.  Closed Sundays.

Return Policy:  Exchange/credit with receipt/tags w/in 14 days.   No refunds.

www.shopblackandblue.com

hotham

First off, I’m told that it’s pronounced with a LONG “o” like ho, ho, ho, just so you know.    As the former owner of the Charlotte favorite Very Chihuahua, Carolyn Hotham opened this little jewel box to  showcase a unique array of  designer jewelry, antiques and home furnishings.  Perfect little gifts, very unique things for your house but for me, it’s all about the jewelry.  Hotham strives for exclusivity in jewelry designers, and the goods are just gorgeous.  High fashion yet completely classic.  Very Town & Country stuff.  Bring your gold card, or bring your husband.

720 Governor Morrison St.   (704)366-3440

Hours:       M-F                        Sat                       Closed Sundays.

asana

The accent is on the first “a” here, like you are saying aaahhh.  Which is just about right for this activewear store for men and women, named after a sanskrit term which loosely means position in yoga.  The store is 2,000 sq. feel stocked with yoga wear and gear, but also has lots for other exercise/activity.  Their 30+ Brands include KOS, MPG, Margarita, ellesse, bepresent, hardtail, dali mama, ion actif, pearl izumi, and many more.  Asana’s website is a great resource for info on what’s new and noteworthy for the active Charlottean as well.

3920 Sharon Road.  (704) 366-8020.

Hours:  Mon-Sat 10am - 7pm.  OPEN Sundays 1 - 5pm.

www.asanaactivewear.com

scout & molly’s

Next to Asana in the Morrison Shops is newbie Scout & Molly’s, contemporary sportswear by many of the designers you know and love.  Ella Moss, Splendid, French Connection, Genetic, Envi, J Brand, AG Jeans, fashionista, Rebecca Taylor, Sine, Luna and more.

3920 Sharon Road.  (704)817-7009

Hours:  Mon-Sat 10am - 6pm

www.scoutandmollysofcharlotte.com

Morrocroft

monkees

Monkee’s (which should be on everyone’s grocery list at the morrocroft Harris Teeter) offers an extensive collection of affordable shoes, clothes and accessories.  They have what must be the most extensive Tory Burch shoe selection in town, along with Juicy Shoes, a stylish low priced brand, Moda, the very affordable Sam Edelman, Jack Rogers, Donald Pliner.   Clothing brands include Prairie New York, Liquid, Lauren Moffet, Alice & Trixie, Bobi, Shoshana and a new low priced brand Karlie.  Plus, a nice little nook of lifesavers like “the isabelt” , the nu bra, hollywood fashion tape, etc.

3900-E Colony Rd., (704)442-7337           Return Policy: Different depending on what you buy.  Ask before you pay!

Hours:       M-F                        Sat       Closed Sundays.

www. shopmonkees.com (national site)

Specialty Shops on the Park

Mack & Mack Charlotte

Looking for tylish, comfortable apparel that is easy to care for?  Need some special attention when it comes to fit? Mack and Mack Charlotteffers unique style in the full range of sizes line, XS to 3X and can special order the Mack and Mack line to ensure perfect fit.  In addition to the Mack and Mack line  (made in Greensboro NC!) the store carries a number of artisan designers from throughout the U.S. and Canada:  Frank Lyman, CoVelo, Tribal, Mycra Pac Rain Wear, A’Nue Ligne Knits, Jes Irie Wear Jackets, Mina Mann Wraps and Shrugs. The store specializes in sweaters, wraps, jewelry, handbags, scarves, outerwear, and everyday wear, most of which are exclusive to Mack and Mack Charlotte.   And the Mack and Mack line, in addition to being semi-custom to your needs, comes in their exclusive fabric–which is machine washable and wrinkle resistant.

6401 Morrison Blvd 28211 704-365-3002 (Beside Manzetti’s and directly across the patio courtyard of the Marriott SouthPark)

Southpark Mall

madewell

Madewell only has 18 stores nationwide and the Southpark location is North Carolina’s only storefront.   Originally a workwear company founded in 1937 in Massachusetts, Madewell (parent company JCrew) is modern, but  inspired by their vintage past.  Jeans are a priority, and Madewell has several fits along with essentials to pair with your jeans - tees, cardis, scarves and Italian leather footwear. IMPORTANT TO NOTE:  Madewell offers 15% off regular priced merchandise every day to college students and teachers with a valid i.d.

In the Belk Wing across from J. Crew 704-365-3955

neiman marcus,  nordstrom,  belk,  macy’s,  dillards

anthropologie, bcbg,  juicy couture, pure denim, lucky brand jeans, urban outfitters, benetton

hermes, louis vuitton, ralph lauren, burberry, michael kors, st. john

kate spade, coach, kenneth cole, banana republic, j. crew, lacoste, brooks brothers

gap, tommy bahama, j.jill, hollister & co, ann taylor, ann taylor loft, billy reid, american eagle, american apparel, chico’s, coldwater creek, jessica mcclintock

cole haan, puma, geox, marmi, rangoni, steve madden

everything but water, cache, cache luxe, bebe, white house/black market, the limited, express, torrid, victoria’s secret, guess