Good Things in Small Packages
Honolulu’s shopping scene continues to explode, with urban, hip boutiques popping up like ali‘i mushrooms. Here’s a sampling of notable offerings in women’s clothing.
Kathryn Drury Wagner
The Closet Chick
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photo: Kristin Gonzales
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shop for: Good-quality, used clothing, with brands such as Ann Taylor and bebe. We found a chic David Meister dress for $28. You’ll also find shoes and a selection of brand-new items, such as handbags, sunglasses and sparkly shawls for evening wear.
tip: Bring your castoffs—owner Susan Reaver buys clothing outright with cash or store credit. She’s always looking to buy high-end handbags, such as Louis Vuitton or Coach. Check out the $5 rack out front for fashion steals. Also, a 50-percent-off sale is held at least once or twice a month.
2013 South King St.; 942-2442. Free parking in the back of the building.
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The Butik
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photo: Kathryn Drury Wagner
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shop for: Jersey dresses, party dresses, wrap dresses. “We love dresses,” laughs co-owner Landy Cheung. You’ll find flattering styles by Fighting Eel, as co-owner Lan Chung is one of the line’s designers. Also, teeny bikinis, handmade jewelry and handbags. Prices range from belts at $12 to a Mara Hoffman dress at $350.
tip: We loved the silk evening purses ($38) in olive or hot pink.
1067 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Suite A-3 (at the base of the new Public Storage building); 593-4484.
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A fashionable handbag, $58, from The Butik photo: Kristin Gonzales
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Bonheur
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photo courtesy of Bonheur
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shop for: Fashion-forward clothes that you won’t see other people wearing, as the store buyer only picks up a few of each item. Prices start at $45 for a T-shirt, while a limited-edition, handmade dress is around $500. “We’re the only store in Hawai‘i getting Alice McCall, an Australian designer,” says Aya Nakajima, the store manager. Bonheur also carries Ni‘ihau shell jewelry, which can be custom ordered to the length you desire.
tip: “Sizing is different, because things are coming in from Brazil or Australia,” says Nakajima. “Things run really small, so don’t be afraid to ask for a different size.”
Ala Moana Center, 944-8744.
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Rockabella
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photo: Kathryn Drury Wagner
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shop for: Dresses (Tricia Fix), couture sunglasses (Dior, Valentino and Gucci) and a wide selection of jeans (B. United, Brown Label and Chip & Pepper). We saw price tags of $32 for a super-soft T-shirt to about $200 for jeans.
tip: To find the free parking at the back of the store, enter from the Kona Street side. New merchandise arrives weekly, and, “We’re always doing some kind of promotion,” says Crystal Murakami, who runs the store with her business partner, Kelly Hidano.
510 Pi‘ikoi St., Suite 200; 597-8715.
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