Enchanting Embellishments: Windows designed by the shop’s Michael Shreves.
Wow, there’s a lot to choose from at Enchanting Embellishments. So, after a couple of spins around the shop, I narrowed the choices to just a few for you to consider, including a couple that would be fun presents to gift yourself.
From top left: An eye-catching Joseph Ribkoff ruffled-sleeved party dress in tomato, $244, and, a sparkly black & rhinestone dress, $324.95, perfect for your New Year’s Eve soirée. Left, Conrad’s zippered wool vests, $179.95, and right, a knit hat & scarf set for men in ready-to-go gift box, $24.99.
Accessories include from left, a black, grey & white fur scarf, $36.95, cozy cable knit fringed neck warmer in black & champagne, $24.95, and top right, Charlie Page’s mouton scarf, $24.99. Fyi, for the cold weather ahead, Enchanting Embellishments carries fleece-lined black leggings (bottom right), $21.95.
Enchanting Embellishments, 4732 McPherson Ave., (314) 361-5300, Tues. – Thurs. 10 to 5, Fri. & Sat. 10 to 7, Sun. 9 to 5.
At AG, a “Reese Moto” lambskin jacket, made in Italy, $998, is paired with a classic Henson black tee, $78, and slim “ex-boyfriend” 19-years quilted & mended jeans, $255.
Now that’s a real mouthful to describe a pair of jeans, so ever curious about a company’s choice of adjectives, I asked for an explanation.
When AG describes jeans by a number of years it means that the fabric, while new, has the same weight and feel as jeans that had been worn for, in this case, 19 years. The 18-year carpenter jeans, below—which may look quite familiar to carpenters or artists—are actually brand new. A video on a monitor in the shop shows how the jeans fabrics are made.
Also, the “mended” sections on the ex-boyfriend jeans remind me of Japanese boro stitching, an ancient mending technique that is enjoying a renaissance right now. 
Iced silver Farrah (Fawcett) skinny ankle jeans, $245, are paired with a great-looking French terry Pearl Ruffled Sweatshirt in dark indigo, $178.
For men, deep mahogany Dylan pants in selvage denim (see white stitching on cuff), $198, are shown with a 7-years tempered lined Dart jacket, $295, over a classic Bryce crewneck tee in heather grey, $68.
Jamison Field jacket in “climbing ivy camo,” $298.
From left, Tellis 18-year carpenter jeans, $265, and a 100% cotton Trevor crew in a color called “sun-baked moon glade,” $168.
AG, 36 Maryland Plaza, (314) 361-6161, Mon. – Sat. 10 to 7, Sun. 12 to 6.
Bonobos: Windows designed by Design St Louis & Interiors by Bethlyn.
When I visited the recently-opened Bonobos for the 1st time, I asked Manager Brittany Jones how the store, which has locations all over the U. S., got its name. She explained that the CEO named it after the Bonobo, an endangered ape species that lives in the Congo. From further research, I learned that the Bonobo is a close genetic relative to humans, and is best known for being peaceful—and promiscuous too.
Since Bonobos’ business is to offer custom-made clothing (at reasonable prices), there is usually nothing you can purchase and walk out of the store with. For the holidays, however, Bonobos has added cold weather accessories you can take with you—and they’re on sale too.
On the form above, a wool 3-button sweater, also available in grey, navy or blue, $108, is shown with a wool cashmere waffle knit scarf in heather or navy, $128. Right, cashmere full-zip sweater in grey or bright navy is $228.
Lower left: Cashmere crew neck sweater in grey or navy, $148, wool cashmere gloves in black or grey, $68, and wool cashmere hats in maroon, grey, navy or black, $55.
Bonobos, 52 Maryland Plaza, (314) 365-2366, Mon.- Sat. 11 to 7, Sun. 12 to 6. To set up an appointment for custom-made clothing, which it what Bonobos is known for, click here.
Up next: A gift wrapping service in the CWE.