The Good Life.

Byline: Ginanne Brownell, Amber Haq, Sana Butler, Zvika Krieger, Cathy Lu

Shopping: Discreet Boutiques

By Ginanne Brownell

Judging by the new film "The Devil Wears Prada," life inside the fashion trenches is all about Chanel suits and Gucci skirts. But increasingly it's the devils you don't know that count. If you've heard of Rundholtz, Mr. and Mrs. MacLeod or Shirin Guild, you've got one up on Miranda Priestly; they are among the designers rarely seen in fashion mags. Their clothes--works of art, really--are sold only in unique boutiques. "I find clientele like the more-personal service," says Pirjo Jaffe, owner of the eponymous Pirjo in suburban Washington, D.C. "Boutiques know when to suggest items and when to back off, while in department stores you can get pushy salesclerks who can also be very snotty."

Pirjo's shop is popular among politicians and diplomats--including a Kennedy or two--who can't find their favorite European designers anywhere. Jaffe, originally from Finland, specializes in introducing up-and-comers--including Germans Rundholtz and Gesine Moritz, and the Paris-based Japanese designer Ken Okada. Hot this season are Wendy Stevens handbags, creatively mixing metal and leather, retailing between $200 and $750.

Down a little side street in London's Knightsbridge neighborhood, Egg blends art and fashion. Dresses and trousers by Italian Daniela Gregis (under the label OK*AM) hang on the walls like paintings. Her cotton Coulisse skirt sells for [pounds sterling]480, and her knitted jumpers in red, white and blue are [pounds sterling]450.

Rome's sophisticated Irene Versace boutique--no relation to that other label--may be off the beaten path but is worth the schlep: it stocks billowy cashmere knits by Iranian-born, London-based Eskandar (starting at [euro]680), dresses by the British design team of Shirin Guild (starting at about [euro]400) and American-based minimalist designer Zoran's sleek pieces.