Friday, June 24, 2005

Tender Buttons / American Girls - the top and bottom ends of this lake...


Spent a lovely and exhilarating weekend in Chicago and now a week later I am at the "north end of the pond" looking at the wonders here. But first Chicago and went to (among other things) Tender Buttons about which jcSteinbrunner writes, "If beauty is in the details, then Tender Buttons is perhaps one of the more attractive stores in Chicago – not out of sheer ornamentation, but because of its focus on fashion's little details as both necessities and style elements to be toyed with, tweaked, and otherwise manipulated to bring out the full power of the garment to which they are attached.

Tender Buttons also has detail of another sort – the dedicated professionalism with which they conduct business. Bring in any button, and they’ll probably know it at a glance. Want to match it? They’ll either find its twin or find out how to get one. Like the button, but not on your clothes? Tender Buttons retains a jeweler who will craft your fastener into cufflinks, a brooch, hatpin, tie tack, or similar adornment. Every button, it seems, has its place."

Moved on to surprise Cate by shoving her in the front door of the American Girls Store. (Mothers of sons love to do this to each other....). It isn't the idea of them that is irksome - it is the rabid consumerism that the idea is cloaked in.





Between the tea room, the doll spa and the many, many opportunities to find upscale matching outfits and accessories for these tiny others - it is a bit overwhelming. "I gotta get out of here," said Cate.

1 comment:

Sheila said...

What a cool store Tender Buttons sounds like! I think it is such a neat idea. And American Girls sounds as it is every bit what I expected!