Hello, Fashion

I’ve got to warn you.

In September, we focus our McHenry County Magazine on fashion, and accordingly, I’ve recently visited many women’s boutiques and clothing stores to oversee photo shoots for our stories.

And when all of the camera lights had flashed and all of the models had gone … I had to go on a little shopping trip of my own.

After you look through this issue, you may feel compelled to do the same.

Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Even if you don’t think you’re all that caught up on the latest trends, I bet you notice the fashion around you more than you give yourself credit for. You like the outfits some of the girls at the office wear to work, and you make mental notes to look for a similar blouse the next time you’re out shopping. Conversely, you don’t like some of the ties the men choose to don, and you vow never to buy your husband that color shirt again.

Everyone has an eye for fashion of some kind.

This issue is dedicated to helping you find what looks good on you — just in time for fall.

In these pages, we give you a visual representation of just a sampling of what you can find at some of the stores at the Algonquin Commons. Hopefully, our photo spread sparks your imagination and helps you find outfits you feel good in.

We also talk to The Clothes Gallery in Crystal Lake, which has been helping women stay stylish for the last 90 years. Owner Sherree Rothstein has a great eye for fashion and shares some of her tips with us about what will look great this fall.

And for those of us looking to save a buck without compromising on the latest fashions, we visit two consignment shops and a resale shop – Double Exposure Elite Retail in Barrington, Potpourri Resale in McHenry and Plato’s Closet in Algonquin — to better understand how style and savvy can fit in the same sentence.

Hopefully, you come away with a better sense of what you like — and what you don’t like — and I hope you do have a chance to plan your own fall shopping trip soon!

Make sure to check out our monthly Home Design series, which this month offers suggestions on how to upgrade or simply upkeep your fireplace; tips from females in the auto business as they share ways to feel confident while you’re car shopping; and ways to combat sleep apnea and other sleeping disorders.

We’ve got a lot in store for you this month — I hope you find something that fits!


— Stephanie N. Grimoldby
Editor
sgrimoldby@shawmedia.com