the most fabulous clothes in Denver

There is a clothing trend in Denver that is everywhere and it seems as though every girl wears it. Day and night, summer and winter…I call it the “Going Out Outfit.” It begins with too tight, low rise, dark wash, boot cut jeans paired with chunky heels in the summer or black boots in the winter. It is always topped off with a jewel toned, sparkly, cotton camisole or a sequined, jersey knit baby doll that conceals the tummy and the over-hang that occurs with the low rise of the jeans. In the winter some girls add a little sweater or a cardigan to the look. It can be a nice look, except everyone ends up looking the same.
The “Going Out Outfit” look is simple and requires very little thought or planning and it fits with the busy lifestyle of the Denverite woman. Add a cool necklace, perfectly highlighted and blown out hair, and she is ready to go out on the town with her girls. I see ladies of all ages wearing the “Going Out Outfit.”
It seems like everyone shops at the same two or three stores: Banana Republic, Bébé, and Arden B. Most stores carry very similar lines with subtle color and cut variations. Banana is the most conservative and Bébé, and Arden B carry nightclub attire that some people try to translate into business or daywear. Even if people shop at department stores or discount stores the clothes all look the same. Why bother even looking at Vogue when it’s all pre-selected for you anyway?
And then, once in a while, I see a lady with a sense of style all her own. She may be pretty, or just interesting, but she definitely stands out from the crowd. She may be a girl that travels the world and shops as she goes, picking up uniquely fantastic pieces when she finds them. Or, maybe, she has a secret little shop in Denver where the selection is an amazing array of famous designer lines and up-and-coming trendsetters. What ever her secret…she is the girl to study.
There is a little boutique tucked away in Cherry Creek North just like this. Garbarini at 3003 East Third is an oasis of style in a sea of trends. The original Garbarini was a beautiful little shoe store on my favorite street-Larimer Square that started over twenty years ago. It has evolved and expanded many times over the years and in its latest incarnation it is truly a haven for beautiful, timeless yet chic clothing, jeans, and shoes. Garbarini has the coolest selection of shoes, belts, bags, and other accessories of any boutique in Cherry Creek. The selection of classic business wear is the best I have seen in Denver. Nothing in the store looks stuffy, matronly, or boring. The clothes are modern and fashionable without being merely trendy. The styles are timeless, feminine, and most importantly, they are beautiful on just about any chic woman.
Garbarini carries classic Euro style as well as modern American designers. Designers found at Garbarini include Ya Ya, Jon, Plein Sud, 
Vertigo, 
Alvin Valley, 
Nicole Miller, Cynthia Vincent, Pons Quintana, Old Gringo, Donald Pliner, and 
Gianni Bravo...the list goes on.
On a recent shopping spree during the famous Cherry Creek Sidewalk Sale, I found a beautiful pair of hand made Donald Pliner, distressed lacquer pumps in an amazing shade of copper marked down from $335 to $49. I came away with a pair of Claudia Ciuti black and white patent spectator booties also marked down to $49. I found a black and tan, polka dot, chiffon wrap blouse by BCBG Max Azria for $29, and a summer weight, grey wool fitted jacket by Alvin Valley that was $500; I got it for $49. I paid $29 for a great pair of black wool trousers by Jenne Maac. I also bought a gorgeous silver linen skirt by Jon that was $300 for $49 and a blue and white linen tank by Majestic Paris priced at $100 for $15. My favorite steal is a cocoa coloured, featherweight cashmere sweater marked down to $15. It is deliciously soft. I wish it wasn’t 97 degrees today because I am dying to wear it! This incredible sale happens twice a year and the deals are unbeatable.
I have every piece I have ever purchased at Garbarini and I can still wear them. They are well constructed and timeless; always appropriate. Every time I wear a piece I receive compliments and approving looks. Everyone wants to know where I shop. I look like a million dollars, and, I feel like a European movie star when ever I wear my Garbarini collection.
http://www.garbarinishop.com/

Style

Style has nothing to do with trend following or what is hot…but it has everything to do with fashion. That may sound contradictory but it isn’t. Style is classic, timeless, and universal, but always with an edge or and unexpected twist. The most stylish women always take something classic and make it unique to them.

Trends come and go relatively quickly. They are modified and recycled every few years. Unfortunately, you can’t really hold on to something trendy in the hopes it will come back because when it does, it’s never quite the same and what you kept always looks dated. Trends rarely look great on anyone over the age of 28 and over a size 6. Trends are for youth, and are the segue into the world of fashion, and that’s where trends should stay. They are not realistic, well made, or comfortable. They are not built to last and that’s ok. A trend is ready made, pre-packaged, exactly what the glossy magazine page depicts tight down to the styled bracelet, shoes and bag. Trends take all of the thinking out of dressing and everyone ends up looking alike. It takes a certain girl to follow trends, and she is usually rich, young, beautiful, and bored.

It is said that style is something you are born with but maybe it’s not. Everyone knows Audrey Hepburn had amazing personal style but she also had Hubert de Givenchy dressing her. Jackie O was also known for her style, created by Oleg Cassini who along with Edith Head, costume designer for MGM, also styled Grace Kelly. Catherine Deneuve was the muse of Yves Saint Laurent. Now, I agree that these women all had remarkable if not slightly similar, and obviously conservative style, but, what about the ladies with a bit more flair and personality?

Iconic European stars of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s like Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Simone Signoret, and Fanny Ardent, and modern girls like Monica Belucci, Catherine Zeta Jones, Julie Delpy, and Marion Colitard are all wonderful examples of sexy and stylish women. There is nothing cold and untouchable about these women. They are earthy, sultry, gorgeous, and intoxicating.

Choosing the right style icon for your personality is the key. I love the classic beauties but I don’t have ice princess looks or personality. For me, I look to the sensual, European sex symbols for inspiration. These ladies make the most of their curves by wearing tightly belted full skirts, frilly little tops and high heels, or fitted, dark, boot-cut jeans with a pretty blouse and sandals. Their clothes are simple, feminine, and understated. These women have relatively small wardrobes of very high quality and timeless clothing. They personalize their look with fabulous, high quality accessories. They wear unique and well-placed jewelry, beautiful purses, scarves, and fantastic shoes. They have sunglasses perched on top of their heads holding back their long, flowing, wavy, locks of glossy hair.

Something else about stylish women—they always tend to be just slightly overdressed for any situation. They stand out because they pay close attention to every detail. They feel beautiful, confident, and sexy because they take the time and effort to look amazing everyday. It’s easy for a superstar with access to all the great designers and personal stylists. The rest of use must try to cultivate our own style. Which is, by the way, what really turns heads when you strut across the room.