D Magazine’s much-anticipated annual Best of Big D issue has just hit stands. Featuring staffers’ and readers’ picks in wide-ranging categories from Best Pet Groomer (The Petropolitan) to Best Bar Food (The Libertine), we, naturally, are most curious about which stores and designers took top honors in the Shopping department.

 

As in years past, we see 2012’s list of local shopping winners as a mixed bag.

 

 Lou Lou Boutique, 4417 Lovers Lane, Dallas

 

For starters, we really do wonder why Gregory’s continues to sweep the Best Shoe Store category. In a city boasting its own Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, and Gucci boutiques, as well as a killer Nordstrom shoe department at NorthPark Center, we really don’t give this winner’s over-the-top, blinged-out selection a second thought. We’re far more likely to shop Lou Lou, the readers’ pick for local kicks.

 

Honorees in the categories of Best Lingerie Shop (Trousseau), Best Sneaker Shop (Luke’s Locker), and Best Women’s Consignment Shop (Clotheshorse Anonymous), however, are all solid choices. Here also, we note agreement between the magazine and its readers.

 

Moving on, well-deserved is Forty Five Ten’s latest win for Best Shop for Designer Labels.  Noting, “We rely on Forty Five Ten for luxurious wardrobe staples, risky statement pieces, and all the cool accessories in between,” D Magazine staff differed from readers, who selected Nordstrom as their top stop for big-name items.

 

 Milk and Honey, 1906 Henderson Avenue, Dallas

 

On the more wallet-friendly side, newcomer Milk & Honey nabbed the title of Best Shop for Affordable Women’s Clothing. In full agreement, we fell in love with this Henderson Avenue boutique at first sight, back in October of 2011. Once again, though, one of the top shops in town, The Gypsy Wagon, was (sorta) passed over, earning only reader’s pick nods for women’s clothing and gifts. Always a bridesmaid…

 

 J. Hilburn Spring/Summer 2012 Lookbook

 

Lastly, kudos to J. Hilburn for receiving the honor of Best Custom Clothier. Founded by Hil Davis and Veeral Rathod (husband of our own Priya Bhola Rathod), this is but the latest in a string of accolades for the local made-to-measure specialist. We’ve been converting the men in our lives into J. Hilburn devotees for years, and a gift certificate for one of the company’s custom dress shirts is our go-to give for newly-graduated fellas.

 

Click here to check out the full list of Best of Big D winners.

 

(Lead image via MamasOnADime.com; Inset images credit DFW Style Daily and JHilburn.com)