Youthful brands, youthful prices
Bundle up with Tommy, Abercrombie, Gap, Polo and all your name-brand favorites for second-hand prices at Plato's Closet in Towson. The thrift shop geared toward teens and young adults is chock full of warm bargains. This Abercrombie & Fitch shirt for guys is $14. The sweater for girls from American Eagle Outfitters is $16.
Plato's Closet is at 919 Taylor Ave., between Goucher and Loch Raven boulevards. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call 410-583-0590 or visit the Web site, www.platoscloset.com
Fifteen minutes of foot fame: Design your own shoes
Acolytes of John Fluevog's ultra-funky shoes love their retro chic, exaggerated lines and two-tone outrageousness. The Vancouver company's cheeky Web site and catalog further elevate the mystique.
Fluevog's practice of allowing customers and others to design their own shoes has also contributed to the company's following.
Called the Open Source Footwear program, the promotion has prompted roughly 1,000 designs, says Keith Manship, Fluevog's marketing manager. Some 300 designs have reached "finalist" status, a dozen are in development, and two of those will be featured in the company's spring 2003 line.
The Open Source program "enables us to communicate more effectively with our audience, improve our products and give nondesigners the opportunity to design their very own shoes," Manship says.
Shoes chosen for production are named after their creators.
Entries by finalists can be found on the Fluevog Web site. Designs may be submitted by mail, fax, e-mail, and on that same Web site: www.fluevog.com.
By the way, Ma Petite Shoe, at 832 W. 36th St. in Hampden, sells Fluevog shoes, including a customized black and purple version of the Darling, a mid-heeled show stopper.
Third time's charming for Forever Alice
Decades collide at Forever Alice, a Baltimore vintage store that has resurfaced on Greenmount Avenue in Waverly after an eight-year absence from Baltimore.
After operating in Charles Village and on Howard Street, owner Vivian Needum left to work for JC Penney. But the second-hand world called her back.
"This is heaven to me," says Needum, standing among swanky suits, church-lady hats and glittery glass beads.
The inventory represents a fraction of the clothing she holds in storage, including some 200 wedding gowns she provided for the film Head of State, starring Chris Rock.
"My items are waiting for me," Needum says. She may find a tiny dress at a yard sale and the next day, a tiny person will try it on for a perfect fit.
Customers nostalgic for the days of disco can get decked out for the holidays in full glitter mode. Any number of Needum's spangly, sparkly gold and silver dresses and accessories will make that mirror ball spin wildly on its axis.
Forever Alice is at 3360 Greenmount Ave. Holiday hours: Noon to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Call 410-889-0555.
Treats for the body, inside and outside
You may come to Trader Joe's for the Belgian truffle brownie mix or artichoke tortellini, but stay for the Rosemary Mint Bath & Shower Gel ($4.29), the similarly-scented body butter ($5.99) and the oatmeal exfoliant soap with a ginger almond fragrance ($2.89). Throw in a three-pack of Trader Joe's spearmint-flavored Lip Balm Virtuoso ($2.49) and you're still under $16. Consider creating your own beauty kits for holiday gifts. Trader Joe's is at 1 E. Joppa Road in Towson. 410-296-9851.