Top Shops for Social Season

5 top Dallas shops to dress your best for social season

Fall social season is in full swing in Dallas, and one of the most exciting things about it is dressing the part. If you don’t even know where to start, look to my five favorite boutiques, which offer everything you need for events ranging from gallery openings to grand galas.

Canary
Want to feel like you are shopping in your best-dressed girlfriend’s closet? Meander down Lovers Lane, pull in by the yellow door, and settle into Canary. You will love the selection of designer pieces that can’t be found anywhere else in town, like dramatic dresses by Roksanda Ilincic and fabulous jewelry by Loquet London. Find everything you might need for the week of Two x Two or the Fashion Group International’s A Night of Stars.

Elements
The team at this Lovers Lane shop buys unique pieces from offbeat brands such as embellished shift dresses from MSGM or great metallic brocade tops from Kaelen. But the best part about shopping here is the way the salespeople help you style something flirty and fun — say, with an edgy necklace or statement shoe — so you can stand out at the next gallery opening or cocktail party. Follow the Elements Instagram feed to see everything from what they are styling to where they are staying on their buying trips.

Forty Five Ten
I love the mix of casual and formal that fills our great city’s social calendar. And Forty Five Ten is the spot to shop for a new outfit for any type of party — from Cattle Barron’s to Crystal Charity. The buyers edit for you, so you will see only the best, from dramatic white blouses that sweep the floor from Esteban Cortazar to cuffs from Aurelie Bidermann to the season’s “it” bags from M2Malletier. Sales associates can style you from head to toe and even send you out the door with a wrapped gift for your hostess. Plus you can sit down for a yummy bite post-shop at the T Room.

Highland Park Village Personal Shopper Liz Thrash
One of my favorite times of year is also one of the busiest, but I know I can always count on Liz Thrash, Highland Park Village’s fantastic personal shopper, when I am in a fashion pinch. I recall one time when I realized that I didn’t have shoes for an event I was chairing, and she dropped off six pairs for me to try and came back to pick up the five that didn’t make the cut. She can help with anything you might need and can pull from any Highland Park Village boutique. Put her on your speed dial (214-272-4894) or email her at liz@hpvillage.com.

Neiman Marcus Downtown
Just when you think you don’t need anything new, a stroll through this Dallas institution has you thinking otherwise. I love a visit to the downtown store, which brings back memories of special lunches and holiday shopping with my mother, but it also feels elegant and fresh. I still shop Neiman’s for standout evening gowns and the best shoe selection in town.

Find everything you need for events ranging from Cattle Baron's to Crystal Charity at Forty Five Ten.

Photo by Wade Griffith

Find everything you need for events ranging from Cattle Baron's to Crystal Charity at Forty Five Ten.

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With the holidays on the horizon, shopping is on the rise. This November edition of Where to Shop, CultureMap's monthly roundup of new shops, sales, and alternative shopping, has five unique new openings, ranging from fashion to skin care to sports apparel.

The roundup also includes two non-traditional entries, including a new benefits program at an area mall, and a place to get your passport — in case you're planning on shopping abroad.

Here's where to shop in Dallas for November:

Baseballism
Baseball camp that transformed into an off-field baseball clothing brand is now open at Allen Premium Outlets. The store offers baseball-themed clothing, hats, and accessories. Their collection features collaborations with several big league names, including MLB, Babe Ruth, Vin Scully and Field of Dreams. Caps and hoodies are especially popular items, such as the Junior's Silhouette for $36 or the short Sleeve Yankees hoodie for $79.

Firewheel Town Center
Garland shopping center is in the giving spirit with its latest Shop, Dine & Save program. Visitors can shop or dine at select stores, including Buckle, DSW, and Razzoo's, Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen, and receive a $25 Simon giftcard when they spend $150 or more. To get the giftcard, receipts have to be shown at the mall management office and include at least one shop and one restaurant from the same day. The special lasts through November 27.

Hill House
Originally a bedding company that launched in 2016, Hill House has extended their collection to offer home, accessories, baby & kids, bridal, and apparel. They opened a location in NorthPark Center at the end of October — their first in Texas and only their fifth store. Hill House is best known for the "Nap Dress," a flowing dress made for day or night wear. There's also a short version of the dress, such as the Scarlett Long Sleeve Mini, a plaid dress for $188. Just in time for season, they've launched holiday pajamas, featuring pajama sets, robes, and children's sets.

Glossier
Skincare, beauty, and fragrance concept just opened a 1,000 square-foot store at NorthPark Center, featuring its trademark whimsical displays that one might mistake for an art supply or paint store. They sell fragrances, scented skin creams, balms, cleansers, moisturizers, makeup, eyelash curlers, and other beauty products, a little on the pricey side, but they make the shopping experience fun with an immersive shopping experience. That stuff doesn't come for free. This is their 12 location in the U.S., joining Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, DC, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, NYC, Philadelphia, and Seattle.

Rally House
Sports apparel chain opened a location at Rockwall Crossing Shopping Center in Rockwall, with merchandise — headwear, accessories, collectibles — dedicated to Dallas-area teams including Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, and college teams like the Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Texas A&M Aggies. They also offer locally-themed apparel and accessories that celebrate Dallas destinations and landmarks, such as an Uscape Pom Mens Knit Hat with a graphic of the Dallas skyline for $30 or a long sleeve Dallas sweatshirt for $42. This is the 22nd location in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Thrifted Threads
Houston-based vintage clothing reseller just made its debut in Deep Ellum at 2646 Main St. #620, next to Vidorra. Thrifted Threads was founded by Laith Awad, who began reselling clothes in 2017, initially as an online store until he opened a location in 2022 in Houston's Montrose District when he was only 18. He opened a second store in College Station in 2023. Deep Ellum is the third. They're known vintage apparel from jerseys to sweatshirts and hats, as well as collections of color-sorted clothes from the 70s to the 2000s. It's more than a store, with arcade games that don't require coins to play, a motorcycle display, and ice cream.

Collin County Passport Office
If you're "shopping" for a passport, a passport office just reopened in the Collin County Courthouse at 2100 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney. The new passport acceptance office will initially be appointment only, with bookings available through the District Clerk's website. Plans are underway to introduce same-day and walkup services in the near future.

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