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/