Clothes parties in Black and White

GREER WYLDER

You can throw a girls’-night-out party at the White House/Black

Market boutique at Corona del Mar Plaza. The store offers shopping

parties for up to 10 of your friends. Associates act as personal

stylists, while guests try on stylish clothing and accessories.

Guests will receive 10% off purchases made during the party, and the

hostess receives an additional $25 gift certificate. Or the group can

donate its 10% discount to its favorite charity. The parties can be

planned for bridal showers, charitable groups, reunions and birthday

parties. You invite the guests and White House/Black Market provides

the clothing, refreshments and personalized service. Prices range

from $48 to $168. White House/Black Market is a women’s apparel

boutique that specializes in classic black and white day and evening

fashions. Sizes range from 0 to 14. In addition to its clothing,

White House/Black Market also carries lingerie, handbags, jewelry and

other accessories and gifts. (949) 721-6740,

https://www.whiteandblack.com.

AN ITALIAN JOB

Italian-based Miss Sixty caters to young, sexy, fashion-forward

women. Many celebrities wear Miss Sixty’s jeans, including Britney

Spears, Cameron Diaz, Madonna and Kate Moss. The retro-futuristic

store has won numerous design awards -- it’s unlike anything in the

mall. It features cocoon-like camarinis, Italian for fitting rooms.

The camarinis suspend from the ceiling, the design fitting Miss

Sixty’s goal.

“You go in as a girl, but you emerge reborn in a Miss Sixty way,”

said Andrew Pollard of Miss Sixty USA. “It’s like, in nature, a

cocoon that a beautiful butterfly emerges from.”

Miss Sixty offers an incredible selection of denim, great

tailoring and silhouettes. Denim comes 100% ring spun, manufactured

and designed in Italy. At any given time, Miss Sixty has 50 to 70

jeans to try on, five or six fits, each with five or six fabric

washes and no extreme-low rise jeans.

“Rises are starting to come up in Italy, compared to U.S. denim

designers,” said manager Paul Voight. “Seven-inch rise is the norm.”

Other apparel to choose from includes pants, shorts, skirts, shoes

and accessories. And a small selection of its cutting-edge Energie

line for men. Level Three, Crate and Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing.

Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday

and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. (714) 327-0131,

https://www.misssixty.com.

TSE FLIES IN FASHION

TSE (pronounced say) is a European fashion house known for its

premium cashmere and fine fabrics made into incredible pieces that

are considered collector’s items. Classic designs for women include

everyday sweaters, perfectly tailored, double-faced, cashmere coats,

and beautiful dresses. Famous designers have contributed as creative

directors, including the incredible Narciso Rodriguez, Hussein

Chalayan and Victor Alforo. Its latest addition is Annette Ishida, a

talented up-and-coming designer. She’s showing fabulous looks: a

1950’s retro-style coat with princess seams in the back and front;

narrow-cut, stovepipe pants; and a tulip-style skirt (fitted waist

and hip, flare at bottom). It’s one of the few companies in the world

that makes 33 gauge, superfine wools. (The highest gauge wool that

most top designers use is in the 20s.) Other apparel is made from

cashmere blends, silk, Lycra and incredible stretch cottons. Open 10

a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11

a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Level 1, Nordstrom wing at South Coast

Plaza (714) 540-4664.

CUCKOO FOR CHOCOLATE

Belgium’s Godiva Chocolatier is a chocolate lover’s paradise. It’s

famous for assorted truffles with classic milk, ivory and dark

chocolate flavors, as well as not-so-classic flavors: raspberry,

honey roasted almond, coconut macadamia, mango and espresso.

Sea-theme chocolates are delicious too: oysters, starfish and scallop

shells. Custom gifts, pre-packaged baskets and birthday chocolates

wrapped in astrological papers are available with personalized gift

cards. Chocolate heaven! $35 per pound, or priced individually. Open

Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.,

Sunday noon to 6 p.m. (714) 556-9055. Level 2, at South Coast Plaza.

https://www.godiva.com.

A FEATHERY TOUCH

Since 1996, Feathers For Home and Garden has specialized in home

decor and accessories. Local shoppers seek out Feather’s furnishings,

which offer a casual, elegant look with consumer-friendly prices. It

carries Palecek furniture, custom pillows, lamps, sofas and more.

It’s also known for its collection of specimen seashells. In

mid-September, Feathers brings out its Christmas collection, which

includes Thanksgiving decor. An annual sale starts this month. Call

for details. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 270 E.

17th St. in Costa Mesa. (949) 722-0244.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays. Send information to Greer Wylder at

[email protected]; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or by

fax at (949) 646-4170.