At the Boutique with Ms. Laverne and Ms. Kim

Ms. Kim (l) and Ms. Laverne (r)

Another Saturday and I’m at one my favorite small businesses, The Wardrobe Boutique.  Today Ms. Laverne (sales and training coordinator) and Ms. Kim (sales associate) are managing the store, and they are busy! 

Ms. Laverne is supervising a team of tiny teen volunteers from a local high school who’re styling mannequins.  Window dressing and merchandising can be lots of fun, but it’s a challenge today because the mannequins tower over the girls.  They’re quiet as church mice as they buzz around grabbing sweet little pieces from H+M, The Limited, Anthropologie, and Banana Republic to dress their models.  I hear occasional bangs and thumps as the girls disconnect arms and legs from the giant albino women, but there are no casualties.  Later I hear murmurs of approval from the team as accessories are tied and draped over re-costumed mannequins.  Looking good!

Ms. Kim and Ms. Laverne greet and banter with customers while helping them find fierce leopard pumps for a special occasion, crisp white button downs for the office, or the perfect pair of tall black boots.  Ms. Laverne chats amiably with a woman buying a navy skirt with cream piping, and suggests complimentary shoe colors.  She smiles while folding the skirt and says, “Oooh, this is nice…I was looking at this myself!“  No doubt she was!

One of my assignments is tagging costume jewelry for sale.  Ms. Kim immediately busts out laughing when I sit down with tagging tools and a box of necklaces and bracelets.  She tried to show me how to tag clothing a few weeks ago, but I developed anti-tagging disorder which manifested itself by tags missing their targets and flying through the air, landing on the floor at my feet.  I coulda put an eye out--mine!

All day the ladies ring up and bag purchases for shoppers who are ecstatic with the amazing bargains they found.  Sales from the 50% off racks are hot.  “Frequent shopper cards” are punched and distributed to loyal customers (the ones who usually score the authentic Prada bags because they stop in every day and see the bags the moment they go on display).

I love going to a retailer who makes everyone feel welcome.  I love working with folks who are sharp, funny, and open-hearted, and I feel good about the time spent.  The best deal is friendship, which Ms. Kim and Ms. Laverne give in spades.

The Wardrobe Boutique--Go There Now!

When I first walked into The Wardrobe Boutique I was ready to surrender my debit card.  Leave it on the counter.  Go ahead, take the money, I’ll sign for whatever.  My head spun ‘round like an LP as I checked out the inventory.  Gorgeous stuff at bargain prices.  Yep, another place to indulge my inner Barbie.  Hmm, let’s see…how many outfits can I create with a slate and silver upholstery print Ann Taylor skirt suit that was on sale for $12.50?  Those teal Banana Republic slacks from the $2 rack would really rock with a pair of fierce red pumps.  And that tweed Brooks Brothers blazer for 50% off?  I’ll unstuffy it and make it look anything but professorial.

The Wardrobe Boutique at 19th and Spring Garden Streets features upscale, up-to-the-minute gently worn fashion that was donated to The Career Wardrobe but are not office appropriate.  Free People.  Joan and David.  Kate Spade.  Prada.  Gucci.  Cole Haan.  True Religion.  Burberry.  BCBG.  A room full of Cinderella bridal gowns and smokin’ evening wear.  Here’s where the frugal Philly fashionista can score some of the best deals in town.  There’s a fun vintage rack featuring items from the 1970s and 1980s. You can find all kinds of accessories--everything from ballet flats to platform boots, ladylike clutch purses to bold psychedelic print totes, funky jewelry, and miles and miles of cute belts. 

A bounty of goodies is added to the inventory daily, so you really need to stop in a couple of times a week.  Bring your best friend on Tuesday, the one who’ll urge you to buy the white leather jacket, and bring your co-worker on Friday.  You know, the one who needs to move her business wardrobe away from the black pants and a top habit.

And, if you’re looking for a no-cost way to change up things in your closet, the Boutique is also a venue for clothing swaps.  Check their website for more details.

So, now that you have one more shopping destination, get going! Shop for a good cause. The super-helpful and knowledgeable staff create a warm atmosphere and they are looking forward to seeing you.  And proceeds from Boutique sales benefit The Career Wardrobe.  It doesn't get much better than that.