Gotham
391 Millburn Avenue, Millburn, 973-467-9797

When you walk into Gotham, you immediately know you're in a really cool place. From the elaborate pink curtains to the funky music playing in the background, the atmosphere alone can make a girl's heart beat faster. Then, there are the clothes.

Gotham is nirvana for budding fashionistas. The store has a full denim bar (with labels such as Big Stars, Seven For All Mankind, True Religion, and J Brand), and can outfit customers from head to toe with a broad selection of skirts, tees, pants, party tops, jackets, jewelry, accessories, and shoes. A full line of special occasion dresses from designers such as BCBG, Betsey Johnson, Nicole Miller, Basix, and Alexia Admor was recently added. In addition, the store offers in-house alterations and on-staff seamstresses make custom dresses for bar and bat mitzvahs, sweet-16 celebrations, and proms.

From Gotham's wide selection and services, it's clear the customer is everything at this hip shop. “We cannot do enough to please, entertain, and entice our customers," says Gail Levy, who owns Gotham with her daughter Suzy Frankel.

"We want them to feel right at home,” Gail says. And, if return shopping trips are any indication, the Gotham clientele feels more than welcome. "We have customers who are now in their 20s who have been shopping with us from a very young age," Suzy adds. "And when September rolls around, the kids literally get off the summer camp bus and come directly to us to begin their school shopping."

Gotham has become somewhat of a phenomenon, and a true destination. The road to Gotham began when, after a long career at Saks Fifth Avenue, Gail struck out on her own selling Super Sweats at flea markets. Eventually she was able to morph those earnings into the store, which opened in 1984. Suzy joined the family business after graduating from Rutgers University and a brief stint in public relations. "After a few years in PR she felt it was now or never, so we started working together," Gail says. "She was a natural and we became a team."

Gotham moved to its current location a decade ago, and to keep its appearance as fresh as the brands it sells, the mother-daughter team gave the shop a major makeover three years ago. Last November, Gotham further expanded  to include girls' sizes 7-14, as well as a dress lounge.

Gail and Suzy stay on top of the trends and keep the racks filled with the hottest items. "People come from the north and south, traveling miles to get a new wardrobe or the 'it' item of the season," says Gail.

"Customers prefer shopping here over the mall for the great service, selection, and ambiance.”

La Rue Chaude
142 South Street, Morristown, 973-538-6700

La Rue Chaude opened its doors in Morristown in December 2005 and quickly became a mainstay of chic apparel for the whole family. From infants to adults, including a great menswear collection.

“I have customers from 20 to 60 [years old], who all have their own personal style," says boutique owner Heather Chaudruc, who started out in the interior design business, eventually finding her way to retail fashion.

“I wanted to have a variety of styles and prices to suit a wide range of customers,” she says. “I wanted it to be very much like someone’s closet—very versatile.” To that end, La Rue Chaude, which means "hot street," carries French Connection, Sky, Da–Nang, Rock and Republic, and Sworn Virgins for women, and Hudson jeans, CK Bradley, Ted Baker, and 191 Mason’s Underground for men. Her children's collection includes such designers as Diesel, Ernest Sewn jeans, Julep Lounge, and Trunk.

Whether you're looking for something glamorous, Bohemian, preppy, or just plain funky, La Rue Chaude is chock-full of outfits and accessories to suit any style or price range. It is a definite hot spot for dressing the whole family.

FOR MOM AND FOR THE LITTLE ONE: Left, long sleeved Aerosmith trunk tee (Jimi Hendrix and Rolling Stones versions are also available), moccasins by Little Raggio, ruffled, three-button shrug and jeans by Diesel.  Right, oversized tote in teal by French Connection, Sky top in peacock print with turquoise detail and Hudson dark-rinse skinny jeans.

Over the Moon
619 Valley Road, Upper Montclair, 973-746-1728

Even before you enter, it's apparent that Over The Moon has something special in store. Unusually artistic windows and an eye-catching mosaic by artist Michael Worth will draw you inside, where owner Susan DeGhett along with her warm, friendly staff are ready to help you find the most unique and playful clothing for children. “I have always had this passion for clothing and wanted to do something innovative and creative with children’s clothing,” Susan says. “I wanted to take it to another level.” Which is exactly what  she has done.

Over the Moon carries both boys' and girls' clothing from infant to size 12 for boys and size 16 for girls, as well as an exceptional selection of special occasion items for christenings, flower girl and holiday dresses.

From European designers to the freshest American designers, Susan's twenty years of shopping savvy shows in her selections. You'll find trendy looks from designers such as Lili Gaufrette, IKKS, Miniman, Pixie Lily, and Charlie Rocket, among many others. She also has a line of fairy tale tutus that little ballerinas will adore. In addition to the fabulous clothing, Over The Moon stocks a wide variety of shoes, hair accessories, toys, and jewelry to make your little ones as hip as mommy (and daddy).

GET THIS LOOK: Mod, Pucci-like tunic dress, for sizes 7-14, by Les Touts Petits and tall leather boots by Amiana, available in black or brown patent leather.