https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:41:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1282083 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 06:47:12 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1282083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have recently found a nice boutique (if that's the term) in my town. Not particularly high end stuff, but a definite point of view. The ladies who work there are quite nice, and don't ping my introvert panic too badly. Unfortunately, only a few of the lines they carry go up to my size. It seems like most bigger stores have up to a misses 14 or 16 these days, but smaller shops don't, and often stop at a 10 or 12 equivalent.</p> <p>It's also just down the street from a recently opened consignment store...dangerous! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281693 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 00:29:20 +0000 Thistle 1281693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fabulous point! I have to say, the best bra fitting I ever had was at a small boutique. Really taught me a lot and helped me find the right size and style for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281529 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 21:40:27 +0000 gryffin 1281529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anna - that's a great point.&nbsp; I have found in life it's all about the people.&nbsp; It's taht great line in "You've got mail" "it should at least be personal"&nbsp; Small boutiques, like any small business, need relationships to survive.&nbsp; It, no matter what the business, makes it so much more special and rewarding to work with people who care about what they do.&nbsp; Plus, not seeing your outfit coming and going is a huge plus.&nbsp; Great story to share and a really important point for us all to keep in mind.&nbsp; Thanks!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281521 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 21:34:26 +0000 lyn* 1281521@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to live 1/2 block from a frock store (<i>Out of the Blue</i> for Winnipegers) and I used to drop in all the time! The girls there knew what I liked and what my size was, so they were definitely able to advise me more than no one (currently I have to shop online for the same brands).</p> <p>Even though I live in a larger city, there really isn't a small store that caters to what I like here. It makes me sad. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281510 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 21:23:05 +0000 fuzzylogic 1281510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ahhhhh........ I remember shopping in smaller (non-chain) boutiques; I really appreciated the fantastic fitting room service with styles, sizes etc, and the (relatively) unique garments. </p> <p>It doesn't work my lifestyle (with two small children) at the moment. </p> <p>So many qualifiers in this response....... Giggle giggle! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281508 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 21:21:01 +0000 Jenny H 1281508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love little boutiques. Sometimes I have to avoid them though since everyone is always so friendly and I get so tempted to overspend my budget... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281476 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 20:30:12 +0000 Gigi 1281476@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I dearly wish I could shop the smaller boutiques! I really agree with spending money locally when you can. Unfortunately, as is the case with Suz, they just don't have my size available. A lot of the smaller boutiques don't carry petite sizes, and I'm so short waisted that I absolutely have to have them. Heck, I can barely find my size at the larger stores! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281458 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 20:09:09 +0000 Mia 1281458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There is one boutique here in town that carries "my jeans" which are James so I frequent it twice a year or so. &nbsp;I get the best service and they have come to know me from only those visits. &nbsp;I also finally found a maxi dress while in Kauai when the SA in a little boutique called Olivine picked a dress off the rack for me. &nbsp;I almost didn't try it but she was right on about it on my body. &nbsp;Boutiques don't replace dept stores and online shopping for me&nbsp;but I love my local one&nbsp;&nbsp;and try to keep them in business! &nbsp;</p> <p>Returns are more restricted for obvious reasons but often you will have a few days. &nbsp;Actually makes me be sure I really love it before I bring out the plastic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281405 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 18:27:26 +0000 rachylou 1281405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a boutique shopper. One, my town and surrounding ones in the Megaopolis have pretty much zoned out big box and department stores. Two, I like the calm, the quiet, and the manageable size. Three, I appreciate the "first cut" edit they do as locals. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281401 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 18:23:34 +0000 Ledonna N. 1281401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anna, I could not agree with you more. As a matter of fact I affirmed both of my experience with small boutiques. The service was outstanding and because it was more intimate the introvert in me loved not feeling overwhelmed. I actually went both times to a lovely shop while in Evanston Illinois and I had on boots and jeans and punk tee shirts which are my favorite to wear when I have to work on a Saturday. I was treated to something really special I bought a really wonderful sweater coat and scarf for my mothers B-Day this past winter. It is the larger high end stores that I seem to have a problem with. Good thread I will be following. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281397 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 18:15:03 +0000 abc 1281397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, Anna, I agree! &nbsp;I love small boutiques, too, and had a similar experience in Atlanta once. &nbsp;I avoided smaller stores because I always feared I'd be sized out, but once I found a super store that carried great clothes that fit my size L body - and more importantly the store owner KNEW her stock and how each line fit and could pull things that fit spot on. &nbsp;I wish she hadn't gone out of business :(</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281392 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 18:11:31 +0000 Suz 1281392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I couldn't agree more with the sentiment. I wish it were easier for me to practice this in my small city. I do shop at the two or three&nbsp;small boutiques that stock the kinds of clothing I might like to wear..but I'm rarely able to buy anything because they rarely have anything in my size. I seem to have a bit more luck with shoes -- a nice surprise, because we really don't have many shoe stores, period.&nbsp;</p> <p>Love your story, by the way.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281352 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:39:23 +0000 Jules 1281352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree.<br />I &nbsp;just don't expect these places to have the same return polices as a giant such as the Gap. It's not a fair expectation given their economics.&nbsp;I just approach shopping there differently ie/ I might have to make a second trip wearing the right undergarments; I might have to think a little longer/harder. I can't just grab and go without much thought&nbsp;the way I might at a larger store.<br />A lot of it is about the personality of the owner and staff... if they aren't patient with me while I peruse and ponder, I'm not going to shop there.&nbsp;If they make helpful suggestions outside my box&nbsp;and give honest opinions, I will shop there regularly. I have two local places like this within a few blocks of my house and they are serving me well... especially once I learned to read between the lines of their reactions a bit&nbsp;;)<br />Thanks Anna for starting this thread...&nbsp;I think this is a good reminder given that ylf will tend to point us toward internationally available, online goods. Some of my favourite recent pieces were bought locally and are from smaller brands (yumi, pink martini); others are ylf lemming items &nbsp;(DANIER BLUSH MOTO ANYONE??); finally some Joe Fresh, which doesn't get a lot of love around here, thrown into the mix! To me this is part of the fun, mixing the known with the more unique. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281343 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:35:15 +0000 ironkurtin 1281343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love my local small boutiques, and prefer them over the larger stores by a zillion percent. &nbsp;The good ones can really help you out! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281322 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:23:08 +0000 Janet 1281322@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I LOVE supporting&nbsp;local boutiques. Sadly, the coolest ones near where I live seem to skew younger in style (lots of spaghetti straps and shorty-shorts), and then there is a style gap between that and preppy Lily Pulitzer type stuff -- the disadvantage of living near a conservative sailing Navy capital. So I try to support the boutiques in Baltimore, where there is a bit more selection in the funky/trendy styles.&nbsp;</p> <p>My main gripe with small boutiques is that they often have very restrictive return policies. My final try-ons at home are frequently my make-or-break moment, and I do rely on being able to return things.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281316 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:20:46 +0000 Angie 1281316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agreed. Nice story, Anna.&nbsp;</p> <p>Like I say, leave no retail stone unturned. All retailers have their plus side.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281310 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:17:51 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1281310@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anna - I could not agree with you MORE! </p> <p>I have had tremendous success over the years with smaller boutiques and as you have mentioned, because the quantity of merchandise in these boutiques is much less, the SA's know their products so well. It's nice to find something that not everyone else is wearing as well.</p> <p>I also very much like to support my local, non-chain stores. I want them to thrive and stay because they add to the flavor of a neighborhood, unlike a big box store. They make the experience of strolling down a street and "popping in" to a store so very enjoyable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-plug-for-smaller-boutiques#post-1281304 Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:12:16 +0000 annagybe 1281304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I saw on Ladywone's post a lot of people saying they didn't like small boutiques.<br />I'm saying give them a chance.&nbsp;They can help you in ways you never expected. For example for my 30th birthday I had a huge blow out party in a suite in a swanky hotel that a friend secured for me at discount. This was also the same year that my mother died. I wanted an amazing outfit, it was very important to me. I was in the 12-14 size range then, I&nbsp;looked in many places and found nothing. I was beginning to despair. I was in a small boutique that had stuff I always admired but felt a bit intimidated by the style and sizing. A saleswoman, came up to me while I was browsing and asked if I needed help. I told her my whole sob story. She found me an amazing olive suede skirt and black lace shirt. She said don't look at the size, just try it on. They fit and looked amazing. If I had gone by the tag size I would have left on the rack. But because she knew her merchandise, she knew how it fit. I got something very unique and special, because it wasn't from a mass merchandise store. I was very sad when I shrunk out that skirt, unfortunately it was unalterable due to the construction.<br />Also I've gotten other very unique pieces from smaller fashion lines from boutiques. For example my Improvd woven leather jacket and Skingraft sharp shoulder jacket.<br />So try the small boutiques. You might be pleasantly surprised. Plus from an economics stand point small businesses give more back to the local economy than the big box stores. </p>