Have you lusted after the gorgeous clothes and accessories worn on Gossip Girl and wondered where you can find similar (or identical) items? Well, now you can go to www.shopgossipgirl.com, a website that allows you to shop by episode, by character, and by product. Items which are similar or identical to those worn on the show are depicted next to a short video clip, or under the character’s name. The site uses the power of the community to tag the clothes, bags, shoes, jewelry, hats, etc. worn by the characters.

For example, in “How to Succeed in Bassness” (Season 3, Episode 7), Serena is wearing a fabulous sexy sequined dress to a club opening and I wanted to know where to buy it or at least something that looks like it. So I went to ShopGossipGirl, went to the episode and found a beautiful dress that looks pretty close. In some cases, ShopGossipGirl finds the EXACT dress or bag! If you have a favorite character, say Vanessa, and  all you want to do is shop for  he Vanessa boho chic look, then go to the “shop by character” category and click on Vanessa Abrams to see items similar to what the character has worn on the show.

ShopGossipGirl isn’t just for women either — the male characters’ cool clothes are also featured on the site, so fans can shop for the dapper shirts and ties that define Chuck’s stylish look.

Very simple. Instant gratification has never been so easy and deadly on our already crimped clothing budgets.

www.shopgossipgirl.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Check out our sister site, Mapplr.com, for travel news and reviews of the coolest boutique hotels and restaurants around the world.

If you’ve been walking along Market Street in the Financial District of San Francisco, you might have noticed a small Japanese boutique that looks nothing like the pastry stores in the city. The shop is Minamoto Kitchoan, which sells wagashi, traditional pastries served at the tea ceremony. Everything is imported from Japan to guarantee the quality and authenticity of the pastries. The presentation is just as important as the taste. The pastries resemble large jewelry stones, and some of pieces are so beautiful you hesitate eating them. They come in beautiful boxes and wrapping.

The service is impeccable. The staff are Japanese and wear uniforms. They never rush you, but they are attentive to your needs. When you pay, they hand you the package with both hands and with a slight bow. I went to Japan last year and suddenly, after that one afternoon at Minamoto Kitchoan buying daifuku (mochi balls with bean paste), I found myself missing Japanese service (and daiufku) terribly. This is the place I would come to for a special gift (or to indulge in my favorite Japanese pastries).

Minamoto Kitchoan
648 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
www.kitchoan.com
(Note: They have stores in London, Singapore and New York.)

* * * * * * * * *

Check out our sister site, Mapplr.com, for travel news and reviews of the coolest boutique hotels and restaurants around the world.

I’m clearly several light years behind the developments at Piperlime as I discovered only today that they sell: (a) shoes and bags made by other brands; and (b) clothes for men and women (including jeans). I never go to the Piperlime online store but I did today because of a press release announcing that Piperlime is selling jewelry from brands such as Kate Spade, House of Harlow, Juicy Couture, Gorjana, Tuleste Market, Kenneth Jay Lane, Betsey Johnson and others.

I can’t figure out what makes Piperlime different from the Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic which have their own niches and identities. Piperlime began as a shoe store and has branched out to offer other things but it’s not distinctive or different enough.

www.piperlime.com

It’s that time of the year when the darkness comes earlier and there’s a sudden chill in the air. Our thoughts turn to steaming mugs of hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire and long walks in the countryside to admire the fall foliage.

At home, we yearn for warmth and coziness, bundling ourselves up in knits, flannel, and wool. One of the best places to shop online for beautiful autumn nightwear, blankets and throws is Toast. I’ve selected my favorite pieces (see below) from the fall-winter Toast catalog: flannel pajamas, djellaba and gown, and woolen blankets designed by Eleanor Pritchard.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Check out our sister site, Mapplr.com, for travel news and reviews of the coolest boutique hotels and restaurants around the world.

James Perse, the Los Angeles-based designer, has opened a boutique in downtown San Francisco, in the space formerly occupied by agnes b. I stumbled upon the store today by accident. The sales people told me that many agnes b. clients had been stopping by in the last few days, not knowing agnes b. had closed, and that they looked very sad. While I’m not exactly too thrilled to see agnes b. leave the SF Bay Area (and indeed the entire United States west of NYC — they closed their LA boutique too), I am happy to see James Perse take over the location.

I am a fan of Perse’s super soft t-shirts which fit like a dream. There’s nothing like them on the market today. The short-sleeved cotton shirts with side paneling (see above, left) fit like a glove and make your waist look tiny. I like to wear the black paneled shirt over the dark grey t-shirt.

Aside from shirts, they carry women’s clothes and hoodies and they have a sizeable menswear collection, too.

James Perse
33 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94105
+1 415 398 7400
www.jamesperse.com

* * * * * * *

Check out our sister site, Mapplr.com, for travel news and reviews of the coolest boutique hotels and restaurants around the world.

One of my favorite clothing brands, Comptoir des Cotonniers, is opening a store-in-store at Bloomingdales’ 59th Street flagship store in New York City. What do I love about Comptoir? The style is very French and feminine, like agnes b. but more informal, relaxed and much less expensive. Comptoir is a great place to buy basics like t-shirts (long and short-sleeved), breezy summer dresses, jackets, and trousers for everyday wear.

Comptoir des Cotonniers’s first boutique in New York City is located at 155 Spring Street in Soho. With the opening of this branch in Bloomingdales, the company just made it more convenient for women to buy their clothes. If you are in Paris, make sure you stop by any of the Comptoir des Cotonniers boutiques in the city. Check out my Paris shopping guide.

* * * * * *

Check out our sister site, Mapplr.com, for travel reviews of the coolest boutique hotels and restaurants around the world. Make sure you visit Mapplr before going to Paris, NYC, Amsterdam . . . .

Loyal readers of Shopplr already know that I love Max Mara and its sister brands, Sportmax and ‘S Max Mara. Their clothes, shoes and accessories are classic, sophisticated and modern, not ultra-trendy or loud.

In looking for accessories this season, I struggled to find shoes that have a minimalist, sleek and elegant look – and a gorgeous finish. The only shoes I’ve found so far that fit those criteria are these suede pumps and ankle boots from Max Mara (see above). Just look at the graceful, clean lines of the suede pumps – they make your feet and ankles look slim and willowy. The ankle boots are so chic and refined that they enhance the look of any trousers or skirts worn with them.

Not all Max Mara boutiques carry them so you’ll need to call your local Max Mara store. The company finally has a website (after all these years), www.maxmara.com, with an online store locator, the 2009 fall/winter collections for their brands (Weekend, Max Mara, Sportmax, Studio Elegante, Sportmax Code, ‘S Max Mara, Weekend) as well as the spring/summer 2010 fashion show. I did not see one of my favorite Max Mara brands – Pianoforte – but I guess that has been renamed or abandoned. Max Mara also started a new line of luxurious coats that bear the “Atelier” label. I will write about that shortly. Max Mara’s strength remains its coats which are truly the best I’ve ever come across. Now if only they would open an online boutique . . .

* * * * * * *

Check out our sister site, Mapplr.com, for travel news and reviews of the coolest boutique hotels and restaurants around the world.