RETAIL ROUNDUP

8 new Houston stores selling clothes, accessories, and sunglasses

There is something to be said about entering a store with its unique branding, atmosphere, and smell — yes, that wonderful scent wafting through the air is not a coincidence — that makes shopping in real life just plain fun. Shoppers can get an up-close look at designs, touch fabrics, and try things on, alleviating worries about incorrect sizes, lengths, or fits. While it might be easier to add to cart on phones or laptops, brick-and-mortar stores have long been upping their game to compete with the convenience of online shopping.

Houston boutiques and national brands are attracting shoppers away from their phones by adding a bevy of fashion hot spots to the city's retail landscape. April is a big month for savvy consumers because, just in time for the spring and summer buying frenzy, Houstonians have several new shopping destinations to choose from. It is time to put down the phone, step away from the laptop, and walk through the eight newest shops in Houston.

Eight One
Known for its trend-setting lifestyle offerings, including hats, shoes, clothing, and accessories, Houston-based Eight One recently opened an outpost in M-K-T Heights. Eight One's flagship brand, New Era, and other notable names like Mitchell & Ness, Saucony, and Vans will be available for purchase.

Frock Shop
Houston-based apparel and accessory boutique Frock Shop opened its second location in M-K-T Heights. The boutique, founded in 2019 by Selina Standford, offers elevated luxury brands and ready-to-wear pieces. Notable designer brands at the M-K-T boutique include Xirena, Nation, Staud, Farm Rio, Ulla Johnson, ALC, Tanya Taylor, and Cleobella.

HeyDude
Summer is the perfect time to stock up on the newest comfy "it" shoe from HeyDude. Now open in Houston Premium Outlets, HeyDude offers airy slipper-like shoes in several styles, including the iconic Wendy and Wally shoes.

Maria Tash
Fine jewelry designer and luxury piercing expert Maria Tash will open her second Texas location in the Houston Galleria this month. Favored by Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, and Gigi Hadid, Tash is known for her unique stylings and Curated Ear collections. In the Galleria boutique, shoppers can look forward to eye-catching travertine details, leather and metallic accents, and beautiful lighting to enhance Tash's jewelry.

Psycho Bunny
Its iconic logo and bright colors are the hallmarks of New York-based brand Psycho Bunny. Its latest outpost in Houston Premium Outlets offers a range of men's clothing and accessories, including polo shirts, tees, and outerwear that combine classic styles with an edgy touch.

Simply Southern
It is hard to believe that Simply Southern, the all-American preppy lifestyle brand, has been around for over a decade. Usually found in boutiques and big box stores like Academy, Simply Southern has a new store in Houston Premium Outlets. Shoppers can find the brightly colored shirts and sweatshirts the brand is known for.

Solaris
Get the latest trends in sunglasses at the newly opened Solaris in Houston Premium Outlets. The boutique offers classic, fashion, and luxury brands catering to every kind of sunglasses fanatic.

Tommy Bahama
Renowned for its relaxed approach to luxury, Tommy Bahama combines refined styling, island-inspired designs, and high-quality materials. Tommy Bahama fans can now live the island life at the brand's newest store in Houston Premium Outlets. The boutique offers tropical-themed men's and women's apparel, beach gear, or home décor.

Photo courtesy of Frock Shop

Frock Shop recently opened its second location in M-K-T Heights.

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ELEGANT EVOLUTION

Houston designer Christy Lynn celebrates 5 years with River Oaks pop-up

Photo by Quy Tran

The designer opened her new space with a Spring 2025 Collection fashion show.

Houston designer Christy Lynn Lee has had a whirlwind five years and is celebrating with a pop-up store in River Oaks District and a new Resort 2025 Collection. The pop-up boutique will be open through the end of February, offering shoppers curated picks from the designer's Fall/Winter 2024, Resort 2025, and the first drop of Spring 2025 on February 1.

"I wasn't looking for a pop-up during the holiday season, but the opportunity presented itself, and I made the decision within two weeks," Lee tells CultureMap. "I have a beautiful store in Memorial, and being there for over a year has taught me a lot about that part of the city. There are a lot of people that shop in River Oaks District from out of town and even internationally, and we felt we could learn a lot about those customers just by being there for the next four months."

Houston-based designer Christy Lynn Lee and her husband Christophe Chung.Photo by Quy Tran

After founding her ready-to-wear label in 2019, Lee became known for her romantic and ephemeral dresses with hand-painted floral motifs and exquisite fabrics from Italy, France, and China. In the past year, Lee has focused on evolving her brand to include more separates, knitwear, and suiting. The Resort 2025 Collection will showcase these efforts with a capsule wardrobe that is ready for holiday travel with beautiful skirts, cashmere, and embroidered treatments on leather and suede.

"The collection is available now through January, and it is holiday-inspired," said Lee. "I wanted it to feel like a transitional capsule collection, so if you are traveling for the holidays to somewhere warm or skiing, it is easy to take it away with you."

Shoppers can peruse the ready-to-wear Resort 2025 Collection at the River Oaks District pop-up. Photo courtesy of Christy Lynn

In addition to the new pop-up boutique and launch of her latest collection, Lee is celebrating five years of her eponymous brand. The designer says the first three years were the honeymoon phase, while the last two dealt with trials and tribulations. She and her business partner and husband, Christophe Chung, have been focused on sustaining the business's progress.

"The first three years we had a lot of growth. I have a store, a team here in Houston, and a team in New York, so now it is about planning for the next five years.," said Lee. "I am fortunate that I have built a really good production and design group. It is very small, but it allows me to concentrate more on the outward-facing parts of the fashion business."

Christy Lynn Lee celebrated her 5 year anniversary with a fashion show and the debut of her River Oaks District pop-up. Photo by Quy Tran

While Lee has focused on expanding nationwide and globally (she began international shipping in the last six months), she says Houston will remain her home base. The designer's atelier, warehouse, and flagship store are all in Houston, and over the past several years, Lee and her husband have built a welcoming community around them.

"We couldn't have grown so much without the support from Houston. I feel like it is my home," said Lee. "Houston embodies diversity, creativity, and opportunity. It is an international hub that offers access to a global audience while still having a fantastic local community."

Photo by Quy Tran

The designer opened her new space with a Spring 2025 Collection fashion show.

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8 new Houston stores selling clothes, accessories, and sunglasses

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ELEGANT EVOLUTION

Houston designer Christy Lynn celebrates 5 years with River Oaks pop-up

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
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