Shopping Around

If you’re looking for the perfect kiddie gift, the hottest swimwear for your winter getaway or some great spring fashions without leaving your living room, check out these new spots

Cyber Style

We all know a woman who’s so impeccably dressed that you wonder if she has a personal stylist up her sleeve. Or, maybe, she’s a member at the Carlisle Collection. This exclusive, couture clothing line sold in a second-floor Greenwich Avenue showroom comes with top-of-the-line service—personal styling, tailoring by an on-site seamstress, outfits messengered to your home—at no additional cost. Now, well-dressed women who love the luxury of private shopping can also enjoy that personal attention online. Using an avatar, each client can “try on” dresses, suits and other outfits virtually and then send in her order. “The website lets them explore how the looks can come together in the same way they would in one of our luxe dressing rooms,” says Reed McMillian, director of business development at Carlisle Greenwich. The garments are created by top designers and made in the same mills as Chanel and Ferragamo. Go to carlisleboutique.com or see them in person at 283 Greenwich Avenue; call 203-422-2464 for an appointment.

Mini Splurge

In the quest for the perfect gift, many people in town count on Sonia Sotire Malloy’s charming selection at Splurge. Now, there’s Splurge Kids, a colorful new shop across the street that’s filled with toys, games, kids’ décor, parties supplies, and all kinds of clever items for the smaller set. “We have a little something for everyone—gifts for infants to age 8 in all price points,” says Sonia. “People can come here for one-stop shopping for kids.” Among the adorable choices: magnetic puzzle sets, classic books, hair bows in every color and theme, delicate jewelry, hand-knit sweaters and hats, wooden letter “name trains,” pajamas, clocks, frames and much more. Many gifts can be personalized without a long wait, thanks to the monogram artist on staff.  The shop also takes the stress out of birthday-party planning with the Party Pantry, a wall of cubbies filled with quality goodie-bag gifts. Need an extra hand? The Splurge crew will assemble the party bags for you. The choices are so much fun—from penguin pens and “magic” socks to dinosaur soaps—you’ll wish you were a kid again. 60 Lewis Street, 203-869-7600

Island Chic

If you’re dreaming of a winter getaway, stop into the new luxury resort and swimwear shop, Letarte. With its beachy bungalow décor, reggae music playing, and tropical scents in the air, the store shifts you into island time. Racks are filled with hand-stitched cover-ups, sexy swimsuits, beaded sandals, and other cool finds just begging to be tucked into your suitcase and trotted out to the beach. The Greenwich location is the third store for Letarte (others are in Nantucket and Maui), which is also sold at resorts and boutiques around the globe. “We’ve wanted to be on the Avenue for years,” says Michele Letarte Ross of Fairfield, who cofounded the swimwear line with her sister, Lisa Letarte Cabrinha, who lives in Hawaii. While swimwear is the heart of the collection (Kate Hudson, Beyoncé, and Cindy Crawford are fans), the tunics and “après-soleil” cashmere hoodies look chic any time, says Michele, who dresses in tunics and white jeans year-round. Finishing touches: jewelry handmade in Maui—“All with a beach and bohemian theme,” Michele notes—and a skincare line with hints of orange, patchouli and coconut that capture the essence of aloha. 369b Greenwich Avenue, 203-992-4377; letarteswimwear.com