Photograph by Katherine Bish

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Ladue/Frontenac

A Ladue lifestyle means a certain ease, exquisite quality, timeless luxury. And the shopping here reflects that lifestyle—from custom-made suits to dresses that will stay perfect for decades.

Alixandra Collections, 9814 Clayton, 314-997-2360. Alixandra Collections is truly a one-stop shop. The store carries clothing (brands like Urge, Yoana Baraschi and Cecilia de Bucourt), accessories and, of course, its famous initialed charm necklaces.

Bessini, 9666 Clayton, 314-991-6800, bessini.com. Bessini boasts European style in everything from suits to classy blouses. Most of the clothing comes from Bessini’s own line, a modern look with a sexy twist. True to its name, the Turkish brand emphasizes detailing and a tailored fit.

J. McLaughlin, 1508 S. Lindbergh, 314-872-1818. The J. McLaughlin look might be described as preppy vacation wear. The store’s stocked with everything from coral shorts embroidered with palm trees to sea-turtle bow ties. Most of the clothes are dressy casual, but you’ll also find the occasional party dress, especially come holiday time.

Jillybean Children’s Boutique, 9208 Clayton, 314-872-2988, jillybeanboutique.com. You can outfit your little one in style at Jillybean, where tots can get Burberry jackets or duds from Lili Gaufrette, a Parisian line exclusive to the store. Jillybean carries clothes for newborns through 14-year-olds, as well as diaper bags, bedding and even candles.

Jule Lingerie & Loungewear, 9757 Clayton, 314-983-9282, juleonline.com. Brides-to-be will love Jule, which carries everything from lacy gowns to playful boyshorts and Le Mystère’s seductive bustiers. Owner Jenny Hannis opened the store in 2003 and stocked the racks with designer lingerie—lines such as Cosabella, Eberjey and Aubade. Since then, she’s added stylish loungewear and swimwear.

Just Chic, 9220 Clayton, 314-993-8875. Longtime shoppers at Just Chic keep coming back for the service. Owner Nancy Rose is known for her honesty and isn’t afraid to tell her customers when something just isn’t working. She describes her buying method as very “item-driven,” so chances are you won’t spot Just Chic’s selections all over town.

Kim Kuehner Men’s Sportswear, 9811 Clayton, 314-567-0778, kimkuehnersportswear.com. First off, Kim is a man—in fact, the man when it comes to decking out other St. Louis males. For 21 years, the former Famous-Barr employee and his business partner (and 2008 Best Dressed inductee), Virgil Carter, have offered traditional menswear with a contemporary twist. Kim Kuehner isn’t just a place for a great suit from labels like Robert Graham and Ted Baker; customers can also choose from a wide array of sportswear and accessories.

MACS Designs, 9672 Clayton, 314-991-3337, macsmonograms.com. No, it’s not Apple’s latest marketing-savvy rollout. It’s the owner’s initials—Margaret Ann Cribbin Spooner. She describes her personal style as “be your own brand” and “wear your own monogram.” Monograms are certainly the theme here, where all monogramming is quickly done in-house. You can bring in your own clothing for Spooner to add a monogram, or you can choose from a variety of handmade kids’ clothing, party dresses, pajamas and more.

Mister Guy Men’s Store, 9831 Clayton, 314-692-2003, misterguyclothiers.com. The name might be redundant; the classic selection is far from it. Since 1976, owners Terry and Carla Felumb have outfitted men in sharp clothing that rarely goes out of style. The selection ranges from casual sportswear to suits, with labels like David Chu, Polo Corneliani and Luciano Barbera. Many of the clothes are Italian, but customers can also choose from brands such as Vineyard Vines and the less manly sounding Lilly Pulitzer.

Mister Guy Women’s Store, 9817 Clayton, 314-991-5262, misterguyclothiers.com. The female counterpart to the Mister Guy Men’s Store caters mostly to women looking for fashionable, grown-up looks. Customers can find outfits for nearly every occasion from designers like Nanette Lepore, Twisted Heart, Barry Bricken and Christopher Blue.

Pink Magnolia, 9810 Clayton, 314-997-6161, pinkmagnoliashop.com. Where St. Louis style is concerned, Lilly Pulitzer is nearly as iconic as the Cards. The look is “Palm Beach resort-wear,” and the place to get it is Ladue’s Pink Magnolia. The store stocks Lilly Pulitzer (along with a few other brands) in styles ranging from swimwear to cocktail attire for all seasons.

Sam Cavato Mens Wear, 265 Plaza Frontenac, 314-997-1100. This perennial A-List winner for men’s suits—which has also received props from Esquire—is a legendary destination for men’s shopping. Customers can buy suits from ultra high-end labels like Brioni, Canali and Ermenegildo Zegna. There’s also a wide selection of sportswear, shoes and accessories. While the clothes are anything but cheap, the unparalleled customer service and attention to detail keep Sam Cavato’s customers shopping there for life.

Savile Row Custom Clothiers, 9727 Clayton, 314-567-8500. For the most part, gone are the days when businessmen could drop into their tailor’s for a glass of Scotch, hearty conversation and a custom-made suit. At Savile Row, however, custom clothing remains the store’s specialty. The store’s experts offer free wardrobe consultations and measure for suits, sport coats and dress shirts. Proprietor David Shockley and his well-trained staff maintain close ties to their clients and keep detailed records of their wardrobe needs.

Shoe Ladue, 9807 Clayton, 314-569-1330, shoeladue.com. Shoe Ladue sells classy shoes that don’t compromise comfort. With more than 25 years in the shoe biz, owner Ed Curran almost has the expertise of a podiatrist and can help customers find shoes for every occasion from lines such as Mephisto, Taryn Rose and Cole Haan.

The Little Black Dress, 9793 Clayton, 314-993-6060. The mother-daughter team of Cynthia Carmody and Meghan Fort opened The Little Black Dress in February. The boutique carries chic, sophisticated dresses, many of which are neither little nor black. The emphasis is on dresses you won’t find anywhere else, with exclusive lines like Mina Mann and Flora King, but you can also find Kentucky Derby–style hats and resort-wear.

Vie Ladies Clothing, 9660 Clayton, 314-997-0124. Vie keeps its clothes contemporary and trendy, with crossover sophistication for shoppers of all ages. Customers can find the latest styles from Alice + Olivia, Diane von Furstenberg, Robert Rodriguez and many more.

Wish Shoes & Accessories, 9765 Clayton, 314-432-0800, wishshoes.com. Laura Pollnow Bryan went looking for the perfect pair of wedding-day shoes in March 2005, but found nothing. So to solve her dilemma and that of every other St. Louis shoe lover, she started Wish, a high-end shoe boutique. Wish carries brands like Bettye Muller, L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani and more, as well as jewelry and handbags.

Woody’s Men’s Clothiers, 10411 Clayton #104, 314-569-3272, woodyseclub.com. Woody’s has been a landmark of St. Louis shopping since 1952. What makes it unique is the highly personal attention of its staff. This doesn’t just translate to customer service—Woody’s prides itself on the relationships it’s created with its labels, nearly all of which are individual- or family-owned. Men can find clothes ranging in style from conservative to contemporary from brands like Robert Talbott, Coppley and Robert Graham, to name a few.

Fall Trends for Men

This fall, men will discover everything old is new again. We sat down with Brian Smith, co-owner of Moris Fashions, to get the scoop on this season’s looks for men. It seems locals are responding to runway trends from both coasts. “The St. Louis man is definitely trying to step out a little bit and be more fashion-forward,” says Smith. In his expert eyes, this season’s fall wardrobe consists of:

Cardigans: Mr. Rogers would be proud. The classic sweater/jumper is back as the perfect piece for layering.

Tuxedo-style blazers: Get that classic 007 look without the formality—and dress it up even more with satin trim.

Vests: Sure, it seems a little … Robin of Loxley. Or 1992. But the vest ups the ante on any look and can be worn with nearly anything: a T-shirt, a woven shirt, a driving cap or a newsboy cap.

Preppy wear: This season invites men to discover their inner prepster. The look includes the button-down collar, traditional stripes, plaid and checks.

Color: “Last fall, we saw a very neutral color palette,” says Smith. “This fall is all about bold colors: oxblood, vibrant purples, greens and some bold blues.” Two items that will sport more color than you’d expect: underwear and socks.