Frock (4 Battery Park Ave., 255-4626), located in the storefront that formerly housed Chicago Hi Fashions, has little in common with its predecessor. The boutique is geared toward women, for starters, and boasts a far more subdued palette than the pink and purple zoot suits of yore. Yet it seems fitting for the of-the-moment clothier to step in where its flashy menswear progenitor left off. At Frock, owned by Betsy Bradfield, structured urban apparel is paired with an appealing sense of whimsy. Polished sundresses come in drapy, cool-to-the-touch fabrics; nautical-worthy wide-legged trousers are matched with breezy jackets and bold bags. Bradfield says the idea behind Frock is for “any woman to feel good about who she is and what she wears, no matter what her age is.” Comfort and accessibility are key, along with a wide variety of price points. Learn more at www.befrocked.com.
Top Drawer signs off
After two-and-a-half years, Top Drawer is undergoing a change. The column moves online to www.MountainX.com in the form of photo galleries. Look for local photographers to capture the best of fashion shows and street fashion. Also, keep an eye out for quarterly fashion spreads with styles from local boutiques and designers. As always, send your fashion news to amarshall@mountainx.com.
Photos by Jonathan Welch.
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