denveralamode.com

Personal Shopper: Fashion finds for $100 or less

Solemio mini dress ($36), initial charm ($15) and bangle ($18).

By Lesley Kennedy

“I don’t know what to wear.” “Nothing fits.” “Just tell me what to buy.”

We hear these phrases over and over again from women who want to look put-together and trendy, but who don’t have the time to cruise through all the fashion magazines and style reports. Well, we hear you, so sit back and relax. We’re here to take the guesswork out of shopping.

In our new Personal Shopper feature, we’ll be visiting stores we love to showcase two great looks for you to steal. And to sweeten the deal, all items in each outfit must cost $100 or less.

This week, we visited Eccentricity, a classic Cherry Creek North clothing store and gift shop; Unity, an eco- and socially-conscious boutique on Old South Pearl Street; and Pink’s Straight from L.A., a casual-cool spot in Bonnie Brae. We asked each store to deliver a day and evening look. Shopping was never so easy!

Eccentricity, 290 Fillmore St.

Day look: David Cline paisley top.

Day look: David Cline paisley top ($85), Not Your Daughter’s Jeans “Marilyn” slim-leg white jeans ($98), Lulu Designs silver peace necklace ($68) and Helen Kaminski Australia “Zhenya” white/natural hat with zip-off visor and UPF 50+ ($96).

“We sell a ton of white jeans — probably more this year than normal,” says Gayle Larrance, owner of Eccentricity. And the NYDJ brand has been popular.

“It’s a little more generously cut,” she says. “It fits a lot of people — we do it in sizes zero through 16. It’s a higher rise and has a panel across the front to hold your stomach in.”

Larrance says the David Cline top makes a great addition to a summer wardrobe. “Animal prints just don’t go away,” she says. “This is little more contemporary, with the mixed prints, and the fabric is just yummy because it’s super lightweight.”

The hat is a two-fer, since you can wear it as a cap or a visor, and the necklace has been a great seller. “We can’t keep the silver peace signs in,” Larrance says.

Glima red tank top.

Evening look: Glima red tank top ($35), Loco Lindo “Cha Cha” skirt ($97), Lodis wristlet ($79), Eyebobs readers ($65) and Eye Catchers eyeglass holder ($28).

The “fun, cute, flippy” skirt comes in different patterns and is machine washable, “so it’s great for travel,” Larrance says.

The basic tank top gets elevated with a scalloped neckline and the wristlet is nice “because you can just use it as a little wallet or a purse,” she says.

Unity, 1455 S. Pearl St.

Mixie strapless mini dress.

Day look: Mixie strapless mini dress ($100), Miel Pink Label gray beret ($15 on sale), Suubi (Hope) Products recycled paper necklace ($20), Melissa “Tinkerbell” plastic flats ($54) .

Known as the greenest boutique in Denver, Unity aims to be socially- and ecologically-friendly, says employee Landon White. One hundred percent of profits from this versatile Suubi multi-colored long necklace go toward maintaining consistant incomes in Uganda.

Mixie little black dress.

Evening look: Mixie little black dress ($96), Monica Macha choker ($55), Urban Expressions magnet clutch ($45) and Melissa T-strap vinyl wedges ($75).

The classic LBD gets a twist with an open back and built-in bra. We’re crushing on this recycled vintage jewelry from Denver designer Monica Macha. Each piece is unique and original. And the shoes? Adorable. We like the red for a bright pop of color, but the black version is chic, too.

Pinks Straight from L.A., 745 S. University Blvd.

Day look: Solemio mini dress ($36), initial charm ($15) and bangle ($18).

The dress, a one-piece that looks like two pieces, has been really popular this season, says Marissa Mendleson, Pink’s manager and accessories buyer. “All the high-waisted dresses have been flying off the shelves,” she says. “They accentuate the waist, which is usually the smallest part of the body, so they’re really flattering.”

Solemio mini dress ($36), initial charm ($15) and bangle ($18).

Peacere di Pie top ($36), Eunina skinny jeans ($45) and gold bracelet ($15).

Evening look: Peacere di Pie top ($36), Eunina skinny jeans ($45) and gold bracelet ($15).

A skinny jean looks great with a flowy top, Mendleson says, “but you don’t want to wear a flowy top with flared pants because it’s too much.” However, the shirt would be cute tucked into flared jeans if topped with a chunky belt, she says. “That’s really trendy right now.”

Shoes at Unity

Pink’s model: Courtney Schneider, photographed at Bonnie Brae Flowers and Pink’s. Photos by Joe Mahoney

Related posts:

1. Personal Shopper: Easy fashions for day or night
2. Personal Shopper – Decade’s gift sets make holiday shopping a snap
3. Unity opens second location
4. Fall fashion preview – 10 trends to get you started
5. The haute hippie: peace, love and fashion