Even the hardiest party girls grow up someday.
Owned by Urban Outfitters Inc., Anthropologie is the answer for these slightly older indie girls who have hung up their fishnets but seek an edgier look than their J.Crew-wearing contemporaries. This new storefront at the revamped Hilldale Mall carries such trendy brands as Moth, Elevenses and Laurie B - at trendy prices. (An embellished gray tee by JW sells for $98.)
Since it's time to acquire that perfect holiday dress, a blue and black velvet-trimmed frock by Lithe ($178) is bound to turn heads at a company cocktail hour. For a more formal gathering, Chan Luu makes a sleeveless midnight blue dress of breathtakingly soft silk ($198).
To supplement such decadence, there are also plenty of gifts for everyone in an Anthro girl's life. Monogrammed soap and dish sets ($24) by Fringe Studio come wrapped in colorful boxes, with delicious flavors like blackberry currant and fresh grapefruit. The book selection ranges from an entire Audrey Hepburn nook to several hardbacks on North American birds.
If the heart says yes but the credit card is giving an emphatic no, never fear. Grab a free peppermint from an open sweater drawer, or an ornate Lore's chocolate bar ($12), and recline on a dressing room chaise. Add a spritz of Sula's champagne sugar eau de parfum ($32) and suddenly you're as dainty and sweet as the Sugar Plum Fairy herself.
But with a far more fashionable outfit.
Anthropologie, 702 N. Midvale Blvd., 218-9011, 10 am-9 pm Mon.-Fri., 10 am-6 pm Sat., 12 pm-5 pm Sun.
