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UNISEX THE BROADWAY For no apparent reason, it seems there aren’t a lot of women’s fashion options downtown. Which the Broadway, basically a men’s store, has tried to remedy by offering some nice designer outfits for the fairer sex. (See Men’s.) CARUSO CARUSO Bringing a slice of West Hollywood to Birmingham, Caruso Caruso’s hip and trendy wear features a variety of jeans and tops for men, women and children. Their diverse line of premium contemporary clothing features designers including True Religion, Seven for All Mankind and J Brand. Whether you are looking for an ensemble for a night out on the town or for a day of family fun, Caruso Caruso’s staff will help you do it in style. CHAUD JEANS Shopping for jeans shouldn’t be stressful. That’s why customers love the laid-back vibe at Chaud. This mod little Royal Oak shop carries all the top labels, but without the high-brow attitude. Jason, who co-owns the business with his twin brother’s wife, Kristy, said Chaud is all about friendly service and casual style. Stop by, say ‘hi,’ and shop for the perfect pair of Paige Premium, 575, Chip & Pepper, Kasil or Red Engine, along with tees, tops and accessories. Chaud (pronounced “show”) is French for ‘hot,’ but we think this store is uber-cool. CHROME Since this hot boutique opened in downtown Royal Oak, word has spread fast that Chrome is a great place to polish your image—at a fair price. Owners Tom Ankoo and Chris Miller stock a trendy selection of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, from formal gowns to button-downs, and their attentive service will help you find just what you’re looking for. Chrome also carries great bar wear, and their late hours make it easy to pick up last minute clothes for the club. Men’s and women’s shoes, jewelry and cufflinks complete your look from head to toe. But if you take a shine to something, our advice is: Grab it. Chrome orders only one of everything, so when it’s gone, you’re out of luck. CICCHINI CUSTOM CLOTHIER Occupying an impressive corner location, Cicchini offers custom-made apparel for men and women— which means not only are they going to have your size and color, you’ll get something that is going to fit you perfectly. You can peek at the tailors as they toil away behind the glass, proof that they aren’t jobbing it out to someplace like Hong Kong. The store has a very nice selection of upscale off the rack clothing as well, and they make house or office calls. CINDERELLA'S ATTIC Owner Heidi Lichtenstein came out of hiding and is once again dressing Detroit. Her legendary vintage shop, Cinderella’s Attic, has reopened in a very cool space in tony Birmingham of all places, in an A-frame atomic office building with carport and private parking. The place is packed with a plethora of the previously owned, collectibles fill every shelf, clothing racks are filled with the weird and the wonderful. If you need a loud polyester shirt from the ‘70s, colorful ‘80s prom dresses, and funky fashions we can only call MC Hammerwear, this is where you’ll get ‘em. There are furs, designer finds, and all sorts of unusual unearthings, such as a showroom’s worth of vintage hotrod jackets emblazoned with patches of muscle cars like Cobra and Mustang. The location is just off Woodward (turn at Blockbuster). Heidi also runs a satellite store at Crofoot nightclub in Pontiac. CORKY’S SURF SHOP You might have to drive an hour and a half to get to the nearest decent beach, but Corky’s, Detroit’s hottest beachwear boutique, is just a quick trot down the road. Swimsuits? They got ’em all here—from the classy curve-cutting one-piece to the stylish rubber band-and-a-cork. Corky’s ain’t no one-trick pony though—besides the suits there’s enough shoes, surf and skate accessories to make it feel like summertime even during Michigan’s arctic spring. DETROIT THREADS One of Detroit's hippest stores—vintage for your body and mind, Threads has used music and clothing far fresher than you would find in the typical resale shop. That's because owner Mikel knows his stuff (and he kind of looks like Iggy Pop). There is some new stock—Mikel introduced this area to a lot of clothing lines before they made it into boutiques—but vintage fills the bulk of the racks here. They will also buy your music and vintage clothes, if it’s in good shape and cool, but you would not be coming here if you weren't cool so that probably goes without saying. They keep rockstar hours, so call first if you are an early riser. One more thing, if you have already been a satisfied customer here, you should be aware they moved across the street. DOLCE MODA There is no hint from the outside; you could walk by if you didn’t know. Open the door and the space seems to stretch beyond the confines of what should be; it’s like a portal to another world. You’ve just left Detroit and entered a hip boutique you didn’t think existed around here. The store seems to have divided itself into territories, with an uncluttered spaciousness that allows the clothing to speak for itself. Which, if it did, would say, “Hello, we’re new around these parts. Incredibly hip designers made us. You want us, don’t you?” Of course there might be an Italian accent, California inflection or a NYC edge on that voice. Moda carries the kind of big-style designers that might be a little too risky for the higher-end boutiques around here. It’s the kind of fashion that people usually smuggle back in suitcases. We could go on about the trunk shows, accessories so clever that they make you smile and the special treatment clients receive, but we fear we may have spoiled enough already. The best way to put it is: there is something about Dolce Moda that makes you feel like you’re an insider in the fashion world. DOUBLE UP Ray has opened up the best looking store we've run across on all our shopping trips. Designed by Kobe Soloman (who definitely decided to take the red pill), the surfaces and ceilings are covered in brushed aluminum and doorways are framed in arabesque curves. It's brilliant and it really makes the clothing pop. They carry full lines of boy and girl wear, primarily urban contemporary streetwear. There are big cred brands on the hats and tees—Sneaker Pimps, Exact Science, Artful Dodger, and Money, the label that attaches real money to the clothes they make. Double Up has more shoes than some sneaker shops, they are loaded with up and comers like Greedy Genius and Dekline as well as big brands like JB and Nike. There is a DJ set-up in the store, because you never know when a performance will happen. DOLLY ROCKERS No longer owned by Cara Lundgren (see Unicorn), Dolly Rockers has kept its cute, edgy feel, but downplayed the Dolly and upped the Rocker. DRAGONFLY If you’re a clothing fiend, you probably already shop at Dragonfly. They just don’t come any sweeter (or hotter) than Dragonfly owner Heather, who sets Dragonfly apart from other stores with her exquisite taste. The stylish boutique carries up-to-the-minute clothes for clubbing, kicking back or just looking better than anyone else in your workplace. There is stuff you won’t find anywhere else, especially a lot of the jewelry, most of which is one-of-a-kind works of wearable art. Heather also makes her own brand of soap and candles, which are not only muy creativo, but come in handy if you are dirty or in need of light. DUETO This hip Northville boutique offers chic clothing for both men and women. The loft-like layout of Dueto provides a vintage twist that makes shoppers feel like they are browsing a boutique in Manhattan or LA. Options are endless with clothing and accessories from Europe, Canada and the Coasts. Whether you’re on the hunt for a sleek and perfectly fitted outfit, unique jewelry or a pair of Tom Ford sunglasses, you're guaranteed to find it here. The friendly and equally stylish co-owners, Nicole and Alexandra, are fashion specialists and always available to provide help when needed. One thing is for certain, Dueto is unlike any other store in the area. People will stop you dead in your tracks to find out where you got your look. For a sampling of brands, visit their website. ELITE Italian-made clothing at reasonable prices, Elite has been keeping Detroiters sharply dressed since 2001. This shop has 3200 square feet devoted equally to men and women’s wear, which is both upscale after-five wear and casual—but not too casual, be forewarned: there is not a pair of jeans or t-shirt in sight. EXCELSIOR! COUTURE From Hard Tail loungewear to classy men’s suits— Excelsior! is the most top-secret boutique in the Woodward corridor. The little corner store on Woodward not only carries beautiful dresses, tops, pants, shoes and lingerie, it also has a wide array of Hobo brand leather handbags, sterling silver and 14k gold jewelry and cute little greeting cards and household items. Stop by. You’ll be kicking yourself for not discovering Excelsior! sooner. FLO Right in the heart of Detroit’s midtown, you’ll find one of the coolest little boutiques you might happen to chance upon. It’s right between the Spiral Collective, (which is a way cool collection you won’t find at Somerset) and Detroit’s favorite bakers, Avalon. Whoever does the buying here has an amazing eye; there are unique, funky clothes and accessories you won’t find anywhere else in the city or suburbs for that matter. FLY MODE Nine Mile could use a little fly mode, and this hip-hop-ish boutique offers up a little sumpin’ sumpin’ of that urban flair, mixes it with a techno tip (live DJ anyone?), but retains its fashionable chic with a mix of trendy duds that know no color. HENRY THE HATTER 9307 Jos. Campau, Hamtramck 15616 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield
Nobody tops Detroit in hats like Henry. Since the 1890s, this has been chapeau central. While the dapper top hat no longer reigns supreme (unless you are “that guy” at the prom or the groom at a hippie wedding) you’ll find something to crown your dome in style. They have Borsalino, Dobbs, Stetson, and your favorite, Kangol. HICKEY’S WALTON PIERCE Founded in 1900 by Edward Hickey, this is one of Michigan’s few centennial clothing retailers. The patrons, some who may have bought directly from Edward as a younger set, love the luxurious lines, such as Lily Pulitzer for ladies and the always dapper quality of Robert Talbott for men. HOUSE OF CHANTS This much-loved destination is a favorite connection of fashion junkies and other clothes hounds, and one of the very first shops to make Ferndale fashionable. Linda and Cindy have always had an eye for design; the boutique is a showcase for whatever’s currently cool and what’s going to be cool. More importantly, they have a pretty wide selection, as the space is big by boutique standards. They carry both women’s and men’s clothes, and actually cater to men with plenty of choices, rather than sticking them in one-rack after-thought-land. Women have far more choices, but that’s how it is almost everywhere in the fashion world, isn’t it? The showcases, too, are loaded with accessories and fun stuff. INCOGNITO Holding down the corner at Fourth and Main for over 25 years, Incognito is one of the biggest reasons Royal Oak became the destination that it is today. Wild windows beckon you in to a fashion paradise that goes from freaky to fine in the blink of an eye. Incognito built its rep on pop, one of the few places musicians and those of us who love and emulate them could find something cool enough to wear in public. And whatever the musical climate—rock, reggae, punk, rap or dance—Incognito has always been ahead of the curve. Simultaneously, they cover the spectrum of fashion with designer clothes and shoes that are safe enough for work, and cool enough for play. The varieties are intense, but usually include Adidas, Obey, Puma, Penguin, Betsey Johnson, Ben Sherman, Covet, Kangol, 555 Soul, Skunk Funk, Supreme Being, Sound Girl, Salvage, Monarchy, Merc, Modern Amusement, Gsus, J Brand, Ruca, Andy Warhol Levi’s, True Religion, Diesel, Toki Doki, Trip, Fender, Pure Detroit, Made in Detroit and more. They needed another building to house their massive collection of stylish shoes. To complete the look, Incognito has a notorious selection of jewelry and accessories that include their affordable yet chic sunglasses. A one-stop-shop for a “get-noticed look” with a little something for everyone. THE JUNGLE ROOM Located in the shops at the top on old Woodward, this place is a one-stop shop for hippie-couture—clothing, hemp gear, effect lighting, incense, vaporizers and a mind-boggling selection of hand-blown glass pipes and bongs. Besides a unique assortment of art and sculpture, the Jungle Room also carries all the necessary products to take the worry away from those pesky trips to the PO. Definitely the place you’re most likely to run into a rock star in Detroit, as musician/owner “Razor” Ray jams with all of ’em. LOST & FOUND VINTAGE Shopping for vintage clothing can be hit or miss, but chances of hitting are higher at Lost and Found, considered a “best in the Midwest.” The selection and quality are higher than most vintage shops—it is not loaded with filler. Best of all, nobody is going to outbid you on that mohair rockabilly leisure suit. Owner Tommy Dorr knows what you want and has compiled designs from the ’20s to the ’80s, without a bunch of crap jamming the racks—it’s the kind of stuff you’re always on the lookout for. The store and stock are clean; not only is it divided into Women’s and Men’s but the clothes are on the racks are arranged by styles (like bowling, country, tourista). Small wonder it’s where Detroit rock royalty shops and fashion designers steal ideas. LOVER’S LANE Drool-inducing sexiness is never out of style. Lover’s Lane has walls of lingerie, lace, leather and everything in between. There are hot dresses, swimsuits, fantasy wear and a good selection of stuff for him as well. This huge selection of sensuality is just one of the reasons Lover’s Lane has become one of—if not the—biggest couple’s stores in the US of A. Miles from the typical trashy porn-soaked shops, at Lover’s Lane you can shop for hot dainties and fun stuff in a multitude of clean, spacious stores. They are committed to making your love life better, and also carry a huge selection of adult costumes around Halloween. L’UOMO VOGUE L’uomo Vogue’s been the place for guys to get the best suit for a quarter century, but now the ladies are looking great too in casual attire from 7 For All Mankind, Indian Rock, Mynk, Yellow Man and A&G. Both sexes can hook up with some ultra-exclusive Ari Soffer handcrafted jewelry and leather gear like belts, wallets and bags or cool casuals by People’s Liberation (designed for Tommy Lee). Menswear continues to be the focus however, with made-to-measure suits and pants from Kiton, as well as classic Armani, Canali and Etro. Be assured Bruce and Mike are always one step ahead of the times, striving to find new and exciting collections and West Coast fashion exclusives, but they haven’t lost what makes them exceptional—a commitment to quality and excellence, unparalleled customer service, and the most expert sales staff and tailors (same-day service!) in metro Detroit. To call L’uomo Vogue the best in the area does it an injustice—this is one of the best fashion shops in the U.S.A. If you’re feeling a little frumpy, stay home and check out the huge selection of online items with special promos and exclusive deals not available in the store. MADE IN DETROIT Display your civic pride with the fashion line that shows where you stand, eat, live and play. Possibly the most recognized logo in Detroit fashion history, Made In Detroit has gone through some major changes. For one, it's now owned by world famous musician and long-time Detroit booster Kid Rock, who is pimping the line. Possibly the biggest change of all is bringing in graphic powerhouse Gary Arnett, the creator of the original logo (the monkey wrench dude in the gear) as well as some of the most memorable logos and signage in this city. The line is now slicker, hipper and “Detroity-er” than one would think humanly possible. You’ll find the all-new 2007 Made In Detroit models at alert boutiques and enlightened stores all over the metro area and on the backs of everyone from D-troit’s sports superstars to Rock himself. MOCI COLLECTION Looking for original D style? Check out the Moci Collection, the fashion house of local designer Moe Blackwell. At first glance it might just be a hip little boutique, until you notice that all the tags sing Moci. Blackwell, who is also a Wayne County Commissioner and nightclub impresario, is both the designer and owner. Moe does it all—shirts, skirts, even jeans (which are more likely Made in Korea than Detroit) and he does it well, indeed. MOTHER FLETCHER’S “I see dead people’s clothes.” The mother of all vintage shops, Fletcher’s has it all from kitsch camp to well...kitsch camp. Granny dresses, Hawaiian shirts, formal dresses, university jackets, Sherlock Holmes vests, argyle sweaters, costume-everything and golf pants are its staple. But to really list every single thing that’s cool here we would need to make a second guide. NOIR LEATHER Oh yeah, baby, shop harder, shop harder! When you just can’t find the right ball gag or nipple clamp, look no further than Noir Leather. Owner Keith Howarth has weathered abusive landlords, intolerant city fathers and disapproving neighbors, all without losing his cool—or his leash. I mean...lease. Distinguishing dominatrices come to Noir for fetish fashion in rubber, leather, lace and vinyl. Fantastic fantasy outfits perfect for going out or just hanging around the bedroom, if you feel too tied-up. Huge selection of body jewelry and, psst, the really kinky stuff is in the back. NONE OF YA BUZINESS The urban casual-wear store on Woodward just south of Mack Ave. carries only the hottest men’s and women’s styles. Oversized jerseys and the best brands of jeans for the guys, sexy tops, sassy track suits and quality jeans for the ladies. With labels like Eve’s Fetish, J.Lo, Azzure, Dickies and Varcity, you better keep this hot spot a secret from your friends. And when they ask you where you got your fly gear, you can honestly tell them it’s None of Ya Buziness. PANGBORN DESIGN COLLECTION Live your life with more style, flair and Pangborness. Detroit’s “Dom” painted his way to stardom with his signature necktie designs—a virtual stranglehold on the necks of local celebs and barons of taste. It’s been said his vivid designs and mosaics may have single-handedly slain the icon of ivory tower fashion boredom—the power tie. In addition to artfully crafted cravats, his namesake stores vend cool little designer knick-knacks, gizmos and living essentials that style up the home and office. POGO B’ham has skate punks, too. There is not a better place to look like you don’t come from too much money than Pogo. This store has a huge selection of action apparel and lots of way-cool brands that people who don’t even skate like to wear. PURE DETROIT 500 Griswold, Detroit Renaissance Center Pure Detroit couldn’t be better named. If you want to show off your Motor City pride, then here’s where you buy it. They have a multitude of designs, which for the most part, are as Detroit as it gets. Vintage Willis Show Bar flyers, Detroit Soul and a multitude of Pure Detroit originals. Pure is very supportive of local talent. Whether it’s Detroit music, clothes, food or whatever, they seem to care. PURE DETROIT: DESIGN LAB If you’re a true fashion-o-phile, you live for staying ahead of trends and being the first to discover new talent. In that case, ink the Pure Detroit Design Lab onto your shopping list. The city’s most promising fashion designers take turns at the sewing machines in this airy space, creating custom designs for ready-to-wear purchase. Founded in fall 2004 by Pure Detroit, the Lab was created as a forward-thinking studio and retail boutique dedicated to showcasing the work of Detroit’s creative community. Besides featuring never-again clothing (get it now!) and accessories and art by local talent, the Lab gives visitors the opportunity to interact with artists at work. It also hosts great parties, as each designer stages opening and closing receptions to mark their residency at the Lab. Stop by to get inspiration or to pick up hot-on-the-block pieces that support and celebrate designers in Detroit. RAGS New to old-school fashion is what's happening in this big, year-old addition to the fashion scene. Custom-made jean jackets and shirts by Lenny Turk for Rags are an exclusive. The store features Marc Buchanan, Al Wissam and Pelle Pelle leathers, suits by Thierry Mugler and lots of big and tall sportswear. RAY’D’ENCE Right across from the Jungle Room, Ray’D’Ence offers up a variety of hand-blown glass jewelry that you won’t find anywhere else. The colors are magnificent, and the jewelry is diverse. They also have a wide selection of sunglasses and accessories. This is the perfect place to go for that special something to help you accessorize. RED BELLY BOARDSHOP Red Belly Boardshop has got all the goods to make being athletic more attractive than ever. And don’t worry about seeing someone else decked in the same bizarro yellow striped jacket, Red Belly’s clothing brands are limited in distribution, so you’re guaranteed to be a high-flying individual. Red Belly’s got streetwear; stop and dive into the area’s largest selection of clothing from Volcom and Nikita. For looking hip and hot—shoes, sandals, apparel and all of the accessories. Most of all, Red Belly has all the stuff to go with the look—skateboards, snowboards, kiteboards, wakeboards, wakeskates, snowskates, longboards, fresh water surfboards—this is the place. They’ll also repair any brand of equipment when you biff tough into the pier. Or better yet, dial Red Belly beforehand and get down with professionally-made DVD, balance trainers and soff-trucks for the ultimate practice for your own X-Games showdown, hero. ROCK ON MAIN If you think getting the perfect fit in a pair of the latest designer jeans is next to impossible; you need to visit Colleen at Rock on Main Clothing Co. Colleen gained 23 years of experience at one of Detroit's biggest denim stores before opening her own downtown Northville shop in 2005. Her expertise is in finding the perfect fit for men and women of all ages. She has developed Rock on Main into a premiere destination stop, where shopping for everyday clothing is a whole new experience. Denim is her specialty, but you will also be amazed by the selection of funky tees, shirts and jackets for all age groups. This store will help put a smile on your face and a great pair of jeans in your wardrobe. SPECTACLES A beloved Harmonie Park fashion destination for over 20 years; Spectacles has persevered in its small storefront at the forefront. If you are looking for fashion that is uniquely Detroit, you must go to this boutique. The fashions change with the time, but the attitude doesn’t; established names hang with up and comers, and there is always something new and local Zana and crew are turning Detroit on to. The clientele has always been a who’s who of the city; DJs, musicians, artists and all sorts of other various players and professionals. STUDIO COUTURE After dressing Detroiters for years, Studio Couture made a stylish migration, opening up in a larger, more organic space in the heart of downtown Detroit. A series of interconnected rooms reveals fashion with every step, offering up unique lines from Japan, London and LA. Specializing in the contemporary Euro-urban styles you crave, you'll find famous stars like Famous Stars, the street-wise styles of Stacks and Bundles and the over-the-top graphics of Toxic Fish and boatloads of other hard to find labels, as well as breakouts like Level 99. Owner Nino is ahead of the curve, the real deal all the way, from casual to club to sophisticated. UNICORN COUTURE Cara Lundgren’s new store (see Dolly Rockers) continues to blend her penchant for reasonably priced trendy wear and random cute vintage pieces, like mini-dresses and camisole tops. Cool jewelry, too. WESCH CLEANERS There are dry cleaners and then there is Wesch Cleaners. The fans are legion; those who know Wesch would not go anywhere else, not that they would have to—Wesch has a pick-up and delivery service. So how good is Wesch? They were voted best dry cleaner by HOUR Detroit magazine. © 2008 Guide to Detroit, LLC |