Candidates' online stores help them get the word out
Each male presidential candidate has an "official" online store where supporters can buy buttons, pins, T-shirts, hats, jackets and more.
The sole female candidate -- Hillary Clinton -- has two official stores, www.hillarygear.com and www.hillarystore.com.
Most of the apparel in these stores is pretty standard stuff, but we did find a few exceptions:
• Rudy Giuliani sells T-shirts customized for every voter demographic (i.e. "Sportsmen for Giuliani" and "Viva Rudy"), as well as a Rudy apron ($14.95, www.rudy2008store.com/gear.htm).
• Even though he was an actor, not a football player, Fred Thompson sells a football jersey with the number "08" on it ($29.95, www.officialfred08store.com).
• Barack Obama has a fleece blanket ($30) and Obama Mama baby-doll T-shirts ($25) at http://store.barackobama.com.
• The Clinton "Baby Pack" includes a piggy bank, a ruler and a "Hillary cares about me" T-shirt" ($20, www.hillarygear.com/specials.htm).
Obama and Giuliani definitely have the biggest stores, and some candidates cleverly priced their items at $20.08, or in Ron Paul's case, $17.76.
The political clothing that's more creative, comical and cute is from the "unofficial" stores. Especially when it comes to kids.
One of the best pop culture baby clothing stores on the Web, www.babywit.com, sells a line of onesies featuring most candidates, including "Kucinich, Baby!" Prices start at $20.
There's also www.babesta.com, which sells $20 T-shirts and onesies of several candidates, past and present, including Ronald Reagan and Al Sharpton.
Shoes, shoes, shoes!
Move over, DSW. There's a new designer shoe warehouse in town.
A Mount Prospect company called Surplus One Inc. cleaned up a section of its warehouse and converted it into DSO (Designer Shoe Outlet), a store that sells brand-name ladies footwear at discounted prices.
Much like DSW, DSO doesn't have fancy displays or pushy salespeople, but racks full of inventory for customers to peruse. New products will arrive weekly from designers like Franco Sarto, Anne Klein, Donald Pliner, Via Spiga, BCBG, Michael Kors and Cole Haan. There'll even be an occasional pair of Uggs, Carlos Santanas, Pradas and Coach shoes or boots.
DSO is at 301 W. Central Road, across from the Mount Prospect post office. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Fashion calendar
• Embrace Boutique & Bistro, 29 E. First St., Hinsdale, will host a private shopping event from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and a public trunk show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to raise money for Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Tickets are $75 in advance or $90 at the door and include appetizers, wine and a gift bag.
For tickets or more information, call (630) 325-1996 or go to www.embraceyourstyle.com.
• RockStar Salon and Spa opened Saturday in Roselle's new Town Center. It's being run by lifelong Roselle resident Michael Buonincontro and his sisters Rachel Buonincontro and Ann Perez.
RockStar Salon and Spa, 25 E. Main St., will be open seven days a week.