August is all about fashionably transitioning from summer to fall, and even though we are still wearing wedges and sun dresses, many of us are contemplating exactly when boots become appropriate footwear. Retailers are walking the same line, offering final sales on summer, while enticing us with fall. Caught between two seasons? Never fear, there's a shop for that.
J. Jill is solidifying its “never complicated, always easy” mantra with the unveiling of its new concept store in Galleria IV in the Nordstrom wing. The 3,898-square-foot store is accented with pine floors and directional lighting, guiding shoppers through each collection.
J. Jill is introducing a new collection each month and focuses on black-and-white with pops of red in graphic prints in August. J. Jill is also opening a concept store at Champions Forest Plaza and is offering customers 20 percent off between Aug. 14 —17.
A sample sale is every designer-loving, budget-friendly bride’s dream. That dreams become a reality Aug. 16 and Aug. 17 in a pop-up bridal shop in Highland Village (at the former Coldwater Creek location at 4050 Westheimer). Seven bridal boutiques from across the country, including Houston’s Joan Pillow, are releasing an array of sample sale gowns, marking them up to 75 percent off original prices.
Swoon-worthy wedding gowns from Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Marchesa, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Jenny Packham.
The swoon-worthy wedding gowns selection includes Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Marchesa, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Jenny Packham, Romona Keveza and Anna Maier.
A limited number of dresses available ranging from an 8 to a 12 are available, as sale organizers remind us that sample sale sizes run small.
This is a sample sale, so be prepared to grab gowns and try them on right then and there, so easy-to-wear clothing is a must and so is cash or credit cards. Leave your large wedding party at home too, because brides are only allowed two shopping besties. Sample sale hours are from are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tootsies is packing up its sale items and road tripping Aug. 7 —10 for the store’s first-ever consolidation sale in The Woodlands. Market Street shoppers will find designer collections, dresses, shoes, accessories, handbags and jewelry marked up to 80 percent off.
Muse Boutique is also hitting the road, bringing the contemporary boutique’s selection of clothing, accessories and little extras to you with launch of Mobile Muse. After chatting with a shopper, Muse staff will select and deliver items to their house, offering styling advice and tips.
Glasses are as much of an accessory as a great pair of earrings or an eye-catching pocket square. The Eye Gallery stylishly stocks eyewear by Barton Perreira, Mykita, Thierry Lasry among others, and just opened its third Houston boutique in BLVD Place on Post Oak. The boutique is sleek modern spot in the new multi-use center.
7 For All Mankind is growing with its customer, introducing Jen7, a denim line for women seeking a modern fit that gives coverage in all the right places. The new denim collection was designed with the same top block, so each style has the same waist to hip ratio, which eliminates the annoying gaping waistband problem and means women can bend down without showing too much skin.
Have no fear; these are no high-waist mom jeans. The collection comes in skinny, slim/straight, and bootcut, as well as different patterns and goes up to a size 14. Jen7 prices range from $175 - $215 and are available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
Swiss watchmaker Rolex opened its luxurious doors in The Galleria offering more than 450 watches in a space designed to exact specifications of Rolex officials in Geneva. It’s the watchmaker’s first stand-alone boutique in Texas and is located in Galleria I.
Vintage jewelry lovers know all about the Queen of Heirs in Bellaire. From Victorian to Art Deco, the charming shop is home to one-of-a-kind rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, plus an in-house vintage jewelry repair service and custom jewelry designer. Owner Robin Lindberg just remodeled and expanded the store and is holding an open house Thursday, Aug. 14 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to celebrate. We dare you not to fall in love with something sparkly that most certainly has an amazing story.
Club Monaco teamed up with husband and wife design duo Ela and Martin Aldorsson for a luxurious handbag capsule collection featuring leather, calf hair and custom hardware. The black-and-white collection includes totes, clutches and a wristlet pouch. Prices range from $216 to $690.
If it’s August, it means Tax-Free Weekend is happening. This year Tax-Free Weekend is Aug. 8-10 and most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100 are exempt from sales and use taxes. It’s a crazy three days when parents hit the stores en masse searching for deals, so we suggest shopping Friday to avoid as many squealing voices as possible.
The Bridal Sample Sale in Highland Village includes designer gowns starting at $1,600.
Texas-based artist Kyle Steed adds to the local appeal of the new Highland Village store. Photos courtesy of Lululemon 
