Photograph by Ashley Heifner

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The Ultimate in Shopping – Ladue

Ladue lives up to every shopper’s expectation—it really does have it all. Begin your expedition in the ClayPrice shopping center near—you guessed it—the intersection of Clayton and Price, and stop first at Jillybean [1], a boutique featuring clothing and gifts for children up to size 12 from Burberry and Lili Gaufrette as well as infant, baby and expectant-mother gifts from names such as Zutano. Gorgeous baby togs are also available next door, along with gifts for the home and perfect lemon meringue pie, at st. louis woman’s exchange. Next door is Codi Jewelry [2], a new shop featuring handmade jewelry and home accessories. In the business for seven years, owner Courtney Hopson achieves a classic, simple look that’s never monotonous or rehashed. Another door down, Just Chic [3] greets you with the placard “Your husband called and said buy anything you want.” Appealing to those who’ve lived long enough to be interesting, Just Chic offers clothing for women willing to take a few risks. lordo’s diamonds is your last stop here—when you’re finished stargazing, pull the car around.

Follow Clayton until you spot Merle Freed [4] and Ms. Flirt [5]. Owned and operated by a mother who has been in the biz for 12 years and a daughter with an eye for all things Generation Y, these adjoining shops offer an abundance of fashion options for the St. Louis woman, whatever her age or style. From Nicole Miller dresses to bags by Lockheart, Merle Freed and Ms. Flirt carry clothing that transitions from day to night with a change of accessories and, perhaps, attitude. Looking for that piece to make him stop dead in his tracks, make his heart skip a beat or just make him thank God you’re his girl? Look no further, because you have arrived at Vie [6]. Vie prides itself on its absolute originality; it’s the first store in St. Louis to carry Tory Burch, and it also offers Streets Ahead studded jeans, fashions by Live It and hand-crafted jewelry by Safia. The single best reason to go there? The Mandalay dresses—think a night out in Vegas when no one can keep his eyes off you.
    
Cross Clayton to Imagination Toys [7]—the oldest specialty toy store in St. Louis—and pick up some carpet skates, an OgoSport disc or an Odyssey III interactive globe that, at the touch of a stylus, talks back. Pick up a Polo or Lacoste shirt at Roberts Boys Shops [8], the only place in St. Louis focusing exclusively on boys’ clothing—or, if he needs a suit custom-made, head to Savile Row Clothiers [9]. Pick up a Vera Bradley bag at Provence Boutique [10] and continue walking west. Slip into some-thing a little more comfortable at Jule [11], choosing from the huge selection of camisoles or perhaps visiting the Wall of Thong before picking up a Wacoal bra for everyday wear and a Cosabella for times when you want ultrafeminine lace. Get all your shoe fantasies fulfilled at Wish [12], which offers many lines new to St. Louis, including London Sole ballet flats and Olivia Morris party shoes.

Walk a few doors down to Mister Guy [15] to find the perfect pair of Blue Cult jeans or Tiffany Quint earrings—not to mention free alterations on sizes 2–14. Pick up a book on modern manners, a fanciful Victoria and Richard lamp or a set of Juliska serving pieces from Sallie Home [16]. Continue on to Testimo [17] and its international denim collection, from Serfontaine to Grey Ant to Sass & Bide. A veritable Ed Hardy warehouse, Testimo also carries myriad accessories, including Adam Foster jewelry and hobo bags by Leather Wings. Step over to Mister Guy Mister [18], a man’s man’s boutique that even features cold beer in the back and ESPN on the TV. Exclusive St. Louis carriers of the Robert Talbott Estate collection, Mister Guy Mister brings more than a half-century of experience to the table—along with suits and sportswear by Zegna and Paul & Shark.

Cross Clayton to Sassy Pants [19], a boutique for kids that’s bringing big-city fashions to the Midwest (Escada and Miss Sixty for girls, Armani Junior for boys and a strong selection for those awkward “tweener” ages), then turn right and head for the Lilly Pulitzer collection at Resort Classics [20], a sea of pink and green. To the north is Huffords Jewelry [21], ex-q-uisite, reliable and deft at repairs. Catch them here one last time before they move (on November 1) to the Frontenac Grove.

Drive to Lindbergh and Clayton and stop at new Euforia [22] for the latest Italian fashions or Melanie’s [23], a jewelry and accessories boutique with gorgeous tur-quoise pendants. Cross Clayton to the Village at Schneithorst’s and visit J. McLaughlin [24], a men’s and women’s clothier that reinvents the classics—then Play [25], an edgier boutique for men and women, where you can find a vintage concert tee by Trunk, jeans by Rock Revival or Stitch or something a tad more conservative—this is St. Louis, after all—by Robert Rodriguez.