A fascination with fashion began the moment Adam and Eve used those first fig leaves as cover-ups. Since that time - from the Garden of Eden to the runways of Paris and New York - humankind has been pursuing body adornment, and fashion has evolved into a pseudo, non-verbal freedom of speech characterizing gender, personality, class, occupation and group affiliation.
“Shall I be trendy (momentarily fashionable), follow the latest craze or rage, dress in vogue, be conservatively stylish, outrageously unusual, or simply refuse to conform at all?” Those have become the questions.
From Avenida Del Mar, to Avenida Pico, Camino de los Mares and the Pacific Coast Highway, boutiques in the Spanish Village by the Sea are making it easy for shoppers to respond to those questions and to make a fashion statement. Shop-owners around town and beyond are offering inviting environments filled with an array of clothing and accessories providing villagers, and visitors, endless opportunity to “shop until they drop”, while creating a style, establishing an identity or purchasing a persona.
FASHION PLATE – 132 Avenida Del Mar
On any given day, Susan Villanti, owner of Fashion Plate can be seen modeling the elegance available to customers of her unique boutique. Her flair for fashion is evidenced in the selections available throughout the store. Offering brands like, French Dressing, Blast and Koret (sold exclusively to boutiques) - as well as Wallaroo (hats offering 50-plus sun protection), Cactus/Impulse, (innovative T-shirts), Emerson, (whimsical night shirts) and Christine Alexander, (featuring the bling of Swarovski crystals) - hers is a shop catering to those “Missy” (more mature) and petite (hard-to-fit) shoppers desiring to be fashionable. Focusing on fashions for fun anywhere, this store features casually elegant clothing, cruise-wear, and bathing suits appropriate for everyday/night wear, beach, pool, Jacuzzi and travel. Celebrating 15 years on the Avenida, Susan and her staff take great pride in the repeat business they experience from locals and tourists alike. To enjoy their specialized services and discover some great fashion finds, drop by the shop or contact them at 492-1616. |
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SOUTH BEACH BOUTIQUE – 638 Camino de los Mares
Becoming bored after a year in retirement, South Beach Boutique’s owner Annette Wagner, with a background in real estate and an interest in fashion, opened her store in 1992 in the Ocean View Plaza. Following her innate fashion instincts when buying for the shop, Wagner selects not only the latest in trends, but also the kinds of things she would want to wear. Featuring both ladies and men’s collections, this establishment has grown from 1250 sq. ft. to 2500 sq. ft., offering an unlimited array of apparel and accessories from casual to dressy. For men, South Beach features the poplar Tommy Bahama line, and for the ladies, the entire lines of Brighton accessories, as well as brand names like, Jams World, NYDJ, Petit Pois, RICO and more. Clothing from top-to-bottom, including jewelry by a local artist, Tummy Tuck jeans in all colors and Onex shoes, can also be found there. To discover “just what you’re looking for” stop by the shop, or call 443-0224. |
FULLER’S – 23 Monarch Bay Plaza
If you don’t yet know about Fuller’s, a men’s and women’s clothing boutique, … you should. Located on Pacific Coast Highway in Monarch Beach, this store has been in business for 37 years. Owners Tom and Kathy Fuller bring 49 years experience to the retail business, offering customers personalized service and top brand names like Haupt, Equilibrio, Zanella, Not Your Daughters Jeans and many more. Unique in the fact that it caters 70% to men, Tom says that Fuller’s will feature for Spring: lots of color in men’s as well as women’s clothing, fashion shoes, over-shirts for men (used as jackets or worn alone), and jeans for both men and women (with and without bling). And if you need a Tuxedo for that very special occasion, Fuller’s is the place to go. For the latest in fashions, visit the store, or call the Fullers at 661-2303. b |
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F.I.T.S & FASHION–137 Ave. Del Mar
With over 40 years in the fashion industry, Fran De La Vega and her husband Mike, opened F.I.T.S and Fashion 10-years-ago. No strangers to retail in San Clemente, they previously owned the Fun in the Sun Boutique also located on the Avenida. As a California Casual boutique, this new shop features fun, comfortable, contemporary clothing with an aim to fit men and women of all shapes and sizes. For Spring Fran’s shop will feature pant outfits and jackets in bright colors, as well as those wild prints becoming increasingly popular with male shoppers today. Unusual and unique brands like Bamboo Cay, Only in the USA, KoKo Island Men’s Shirts (a local company), Café au Lait, Ezze Wear and more, can be found hanging on the racks there. And to complement the clothing, hats by San Diego Hat Co., stone jewelry by Sun Dancer Gems, fine leather purses by Chaos, as well as the more casual Sun and Sand handbags, are also available. Jeans – a wardrobe staple - designed to fit all body sizes, are a specialty in the store, and fashion forward employees Joanne and Shari are ready and willing to help you find just the right pair. Visit the store soon or call Fran at 498-6498 |
SUNKISS’D TANNING SWIMWEAR BOUTIQUE
– 216 Ave. Del Mar
For the last nine years, Brenda Carter – owner of Sunkiss’d Tanning Swimwear Boutique – has been working hard to provide customers with quality merchandise at affordable prices. Formerly a pharmacy technician, when Brenda started her family she began looking around for work that would give her more time to be with her children. The opportunity to buy Sunkiss’d came along, and she has never looked back. Servicing shoppers from sizes Xs to 18, aged 10-70, she offers a complete line of swimwear, including one and two-piece suits, special ordered, mixed and matched, to fit all shapes and body types. Brands like Bing Bang, California Waves, Endless Sun and Pink Sands are popular there. Also included in the mix are swimsuit cover-ups and sundresses, as well as seasonal clothing for all occasions. Brenda is expecting this will be a big year for swimsuits, and says Spring fashions will feature lots of gauze, terry cloth and cotton. Check out this “something for everyone” shop the next time you are on the Avenida, or to speak with Brenda, call 492-1334. |
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BLISS – 167 Avenida Del Mar
If you’re searching for something extraordinarily out of the ordinary … that little bit extra … browse about the clothing and gift boutique, Bliss, on the corner of Avenida Del Mar and South Ola Vista. With a background in her family’s retail business, and a stint at San Clemente’s Street Faires (offering her personally designed vintage jackets), shop-owner Cindy Rosier relies on her instincts and “passion for fashion” when merchandising her store. “Buying what she likes,” Cindy offers shoppers a mixture of trendy, sophisticated and conte clothing and gifts, aiming to make her clientele look and feel the best they can be. Patrons entering Bliss will be greeted by their own personal shoppers, ready to help them select fashions from designs by Calleen Cordero, Joe’s Jeans, Michael Stars (tees), and Nanette Lepore - as well as accessories by, If…Isabella Fiore (handbags) and jewelry by Lori Lori (natural stone beachy designs) and Rachel Abrams (personalized mad coin designs). Whether you are in pursuit of an exceptional ensemble and/or a one-of-a-kind gift, this could be the one-stop-shop you have been looking for. Don’t hesitate, investigate, or call Cindy at 492-0084. |
VARIANT - 165 Ave. Del Mar and
ANGEL WINGS – 254 Ave. Del Mar
Offering something for every woman at any age, the two boutiques Variant and Angel Wings - located in the 100 and 200 blocks of Avenida Del Mar respectively - are the pride and joy of owner Laurie Wodiske. The emphasis in both these establishments is to insure customers a “non-mall” experience. Armed with a staff of locals who have been with her since the shops’ inceptions, Laurie takes a great deal of pride in the fact that she and her personnel work hard to make their customers feel like they are, “shopping in their best friends closet.” While Variant is a little more upscale price wise, Angel Wings offers moderation for the more frugal purchaser, and in keeping with Spring’s fashion predictions, both stores will feature a wide variety of dresses, oversized tops and the flatter “ballerina type” shoes becoming extremely popular this season. Shoppers of all ages, looking for the slightly unusual, with an emphasis on fabric, style and artistic flair won’t be disappointed at either location. Experience the difference in person, or call Variant at 366-6264 and Angel Wings at 218-5258.
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DREAM RAGS
- 415 Avenida Pico
Despite a myriad of setbacks, including a break-in during the holidays, Judy Whitford, owner of Dream Rags, located in the Pico Plaza - Pier 1 Shopping Center, is excited to be a part of the San Clemente fashion scene. After a stint in the competitive world of real estate, Judy’s love of fashion and dream of one day being her own boss have blended, turning a dream into reality. Seeing a need in town for a designer clothing store offering brand names in a variety of prices - from very affordable to extremely expensive - Judy has jumped in with both feet to insure that her dream will succeed. In keeping with the fashionistas’ predictions that dresses will be big this Spring, her shop offers a complete line of brand names like T/Bags (noted for a cut and fabric that looks good on everyone), Fighting Eel and Jaime Pressley. Also featured are original and unique tops by Sweetees, and designs by Gypsy/05, Testament, Sky, Interlude and Shine, topped off by a multitude of accessories for completing a wardrobe head-to toe. Though obstacles have come and gone, Judy Whitford and Dream Rags are still standing. Take time out for a visit, or call 366-2111 to discover more about shopping at this unique fashion boutique. |
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