Lori's in the News: ShopWalk

Lori's -- online, in-store -- is no stranger to crowds. (It's a common misconception that Milton coined the term "Pandemonium" for Satan née Lucifer's new digs once kicked out of heaven; we think it's more apropos of the Armitage store on a Saturday afternoon.) However, we are bracing ourselves: the ladies of ShopWalk are descending and they're bringing determined shoppers and the folks at NBC along for the ride.

The brainchild of Chicago entrepreneur Danielle Lutz, ShopWalk is an urban safari of local boutiques and independent retailers that is no callow endeavor. Michigan Avenue and chain stores are strictly verboten, emphasis being placed on the small, the unique, the tucked-away. Shops are researched, routes are planned, agendas created and deposits taken. Groups meet in a local cafe to discuss their plan of attack and then? The attack.

Guided tours mean no maps, no lost ways and plenty of time to concentrate on the shopping. Stores participate with day-long discounts, champagne, hors d'oeuvre and plenty of personal attention. Lutz likewise acts as personal stylist to her group, transforming a shopping trip into a lifestyle revamp.

And Lori's is on the list. We're spiffing up the place, straightening boxes and rearranging the merch. Our floor staff is running drills and we're icing down the beverages. In short, we'll put our best foot forward (probably in a cute pump) and ready ourselves for the professionals.

Lori's Warehouse Sale - Naperville

Lori's Naperville, IL store will be hosting a warehouse sale from Friday, June 20th through Saturday, June 21st. Doors open at 10am both days and all sales are cash-only and final. Look for deep discounts on items store-wide!

Comment on this post with any questions ... and good hunting.

Lori's Naperville

27 W Jefferson

Naperville, IL 60540

630-416-3663
directions

A Lori's Love: Agnes by Charles David

Charles David declared that shoes are a love affair (talk about stating the obvious). True to his words, we're having a bit of a tryst with Agnes, the latest debutante from the Charles David collection.

How do we love Agnes? Well, in these ways: She looks simple, but she's quite a complex gal. The patent-wrapped wedge and T-strap play off the matte fabric stretch upper. This subtle texture tension draws attention across the shiny wedge to the contours of our (admittedly) beautiful feet. (Oh c'mon: we all have beautiful feets! Say it with us! Believe!)

Anyways, the varying width of the fabric bands help too: the thicker upper embraces the ankle and the slimmer lower the ball, leaving the best parts -- the sexy arch and toes -- exposed for admiring glances from co-workers and prospective beaux.

Speaking of which, Agnes's easy profile makes her ideal for work environments or nights on the town. We think the patent will dress up with a knee-length skirt and blouse for day yet carry their weight under jeans for your latest jeux de nuit.

Check out the Agnes; we bet you'll fall in love with this supremely easy and effortlessly chic summer wedge sandal.

Lori Recommends: The Messenger Bag

We've just received a new shipment of bags from High Fashion and they are ... haute (yuk, yuk). Seriously, what's great about them is their embracing of a decidely un-haute style that's creeping like kudzu into the upscale marketplace: the utilitarian, sometime-tragically-hip, messenger bag.

Now, while "messenger bag" and "haute" in the same sentence may give rise to images of Kevin Bacon bike dancing in Quicksilver, we can assure you that High Fashion's versions are legitimate chic fare. Venerated companies like Lanvin and Britain's Mulberry are all over this. (High Fashion just happens to be a fraction of the price.)

The difference comes in High Fashion's acknowledgment of the messenger's functionality filtered through an understanding of current trends. The result is a bag that has a sense of purpose and place. That purpose is looking great while holding your essentials (we say co-opt it as your new computer bag); that place is the center of everyone's attention.

High Fashion makes great use of functionality to make a fashion statement. Look at how this bag at left dresses up grommets, turn-tab closures and spring clips to highlight the bag's construction. The play between zip and flap pockets creates movement and eclectic style without ever leaving the realm of the pragmatic. Toss in soft patent leather and contrast stitching and you have a bag that does its job and looks great doing it.

There's a future-tech look to the bag that is softened by the choice of materials. The contrasting fabric of the matte black cloth strap is a fantastic final touch.

With a wide range of colors and textures to choose from, these messenger bags can serve you well as a commuting bag or casual-night-out hold-all. Either way the message you'll be sending is one of the posh labor of looking good.

Click on these bags for detailed images: