When many fashionistas and garmentos, both worldwide and at Bowdoin, dream of the ideal shopping experience, Maine doesn't quite make the list.
Instead, the fashion-conscious and Gauche-Caviars wishfully envision themselves strutting down Via della Spiga or Montenapoleone in Milano, splurging in Tokyo's Ginza district, strolling nonchalantly throughout Paris's many splendors such as Rue Faubourg St. Honoré and Ave. Montaigne, or basking in the chaos of Madison Ave. and Spring Street in Manhattan.
Alas, these divine locales are truly the apogee of a fine, luxury shopping experience. Comparable chic-ness, however, can be found in the often overlooked Casco Bay area, just minutes from Bowdoin.
From vintage flannel for a few bucks to genuine ostrich Scarletta Exotic Boots at Cole Haan for $2000, coastal southern Maine shopping caters to a range of exciting options for all finances and style preferences. For most members of the Bowdoin community, Freeport and Portland will make up the primary stylish destinations.
Freeport's Finest:
Downtown Freeport's array of designer outlets, quaint boutiques, and discount secrets seduces almost 3.5 million shoppers who spend more than $300,000,000 yearly on incredible buys and fashions, according to the Freeport Economic Development Corporation. Such figures are due in great part, unarguably, to the magnetism of outdoorsy giant L.L. Bean. Although at times bursting with insufferable and tacky visitors, this seaside village is not to be missed.
Cole Haan
66 Main St. 207.865.6321
Characters: Cosmopolitan movers and shakers who refuse to forfeit both comfort and style.
Scene: A vast, luxurious, and swanky assortment of footwear, accessories, and outwear worthy enough to grace the closets of even the most demanding couture aficionado.
The factory store, located in the basement, has fantastic savings on past collections, while the ground floor and first floor permit clients a look at the current season.
Being that Cole Haan has originating ties in Freeport, the upper-level has an extensive pr?t-à-port collection not found in any other company boutique in the world!
Fiscal Damage: Intensive Care.
Burberry
42 Main St. 207.865.4400
Characters: Anyone who glares longingly at Agyness Deyn's sizzlin' ad campaign.
Scene: It's hit or miss here. It seems Christopher Bailey's androgynously fresh and flashy designs take a century to make it from the runway in Milano to the less glamorous Freeport outlet. Nonetheless, standard Burberry Novacheck printed jackets, accessories, and heels are generally in stock. Keep your eyes out, as sales and last season's leftovers arrive randomly. But when the good stuff comes, it is the Real McCoy.
Fiscal damage: Minor wounds to Intensive Care.
J.Crew
10 Bow St. 207.865.3180
Characters: A mélange between those who use summer as a verb, tasteful yuppies, and stay at home moms.
Scene: J.Crew Freeport gets prime picks from the retail stores across the country. Despite an occasionally stale men's selection, there are usually plenty of cocktail dresses, dress shirts, and critter print flip-flops to please.
Fiscal damage: Safe and Sound to Minor wounds.
Brooks Brothers
24 Bow St. 207.865.1835
Characters: The Yacht Club set, bewildered Bowdoin students in need of a suit, and middle-aged, uptight, Audi owners.
Scene: Upstairs has a full range of recent suits, sweater vests, and golfing gear, but downstairs is where dream deals are made. Cashmere cable-knit? Fifty bucks!
Fiscal damage: Safe and Sound.
Portland the Paramount:
This ever-growing, small port-city has lots to offer for young and old: fine dining, nautical action, an improving social scene, top-notch entertainment, progressive ideologies, and a solid economy. The city's most vibrant district, the Old Port, is not only a visual representation of the aforementioned positives of Portland, but proof that a legit fashion district has been established. Tailors and high-end boutiques alike all call Portland home.
Mexicali Blues
Portland: 9 Mouton St. 207.772.4080
Freeport: 10 Bow St. 207.865.3303
Characters: Tree Huggers, world travelers, and those inspired by Buddha all find their own treasure.
Scene: Tibetan prayer flags, candles, organic clothing, incenses, and knick-knacks are sold to eager and fun Hipsters.
Fiscal damage: Safe and Sound.
Stiletto
97 Exchange St. 207.775.3033
Characters: Where the "Lipstick Jungle" obsessed and whipped husbands pony-up.
Scene: Coveted Kate Spade, Longchamp, Stuart Weitzman, and Betsey Johnson pumps, sling backs, flats, and accessories are always in full stock at this kitschy, yet cosmopolitan, gem.
Fiscal damage: Intensive Care.
Joseph's
410 Forrest Ave. 207.773.1274
Characters: Members of the gentlemen's clubs and aspiring lawyers.
Scene: It's a man's world inside this clothier palace. You can blow thousands on a Canali suit or invest in a Nat Nast poplin.
Fiscal damage: Intensive Care.
Chantel
195 Middle St. 207.347.4427
Characters: Metropolitans on the move.
Scene: Buy your jeans here... in fact buy all of your informal or upscale "urban-wear" here. Watch yourself salivate over labels such as Rock & Republic, Edun, Chip & Pepper, Nanette Lepore, and Rebecca Taylor.
Fiscal damage: Minor wounds to Intensive Care
Hélène M.
425 Fore St. 207.772.2564
Characters: Ladies who consider Tory Burch a close friend.
Scene: Splendid semi-precious jewelry, an extensive Nicole Miller collection, and enough Juicy Couture to silence any diva, Hélène M. is a staple!
Fiscal damage: Intensive Care.
Zane
26 Milk St. 207.879.113
Characters: Maine residents yearning to move to Pac Heights or Greenwich Village ASAP.
Scene: Never thought you could find Alice + Oliver, Ted Baker, l.a.m.b, Anna Sui, Pringle 1815, McQ by Alexander McQueen, Andrew Marc, Evisu, Twinkle by Wenlan, and James Perse in Maine? Shame, shame, shame on you!
Fiscal damage: Intensive Care.
Simply Chic
28 Exchange St. 207.775.CHIC
Characters: Teen Vogue interns and IT girls.
Scene: Go here for that new Milly cocktail frock you simply won't live without, or that electric Cynthia Steffe combo that would turn heads at senior week. You may have to phone home to get clearance for the Citizens jeans begging to be adopted.
Fiscal damage: Intensive Care.
Material Objects
500 Congress St. 207.774.1241
Characters: Trendy vintage hunters who know what they want and get it.
Scene: I've found vintage Givenchy and Hugo Boss within these racks at criminal prices, but some of Material Objects' best finds don't have a label attached to them.
Fiscal damage: Safe and Sound.