Yesterday, I wrote about how to style your leggings with tunics, and I showed you some tunics and dresses available in your favorite retail stores. Shopping large retailers has many advantages. Nationally known stores like Nordstrom, Target, Anthropologie, and Gap have massive inventory, stocking plenty of sizes for each garment. If a store doesn’t have your size, a salesperson can usually find it at another store, or you can order it online. Many large retailers have free shipping and generous return policies; they can afford to do that because of the volume of business they do.
There are drawbacks to shopping at places like Nordstrom, though. If you need help finding clothes that fit well and flatter your figure, there might not be a salesperson available to give you feedback. And many people have a hard time wading through so many choices to put together a look that is stylish and budget-friendly. I love to shop, and even I get overwhelmed sometimes at the selection at large department stores! The solution? Shopping at local and online boutiques that have a smaller inventory but offer more personal service.
Houston is home to thousands of local boutiques. From Project Runway 2 winner, Chloe Dao’s DAO Chloe DAO boutique in Rice Village, to women selling unique clothing out of their homes, there is an abundance of styles available to the discerning shopper. I enjoy shopping at relatively unknown places; I like having clothes that stand out from the crowd. Developing a relationship with a boutique owner is helpful, too. Once she knows your style and favorite brands, she can recommend clothes you may like, which makes the shopping experience more efficient. The biggest drawback to shopping local and online boutiques, in my opinion, is that boutiques carry limited inventory, often stocking only a couple of pieces in each size. If your size is sold out, the owner may not be able to recorder it. Boutique brands can be pricy, too, but with so many choices, you should be able to find one that carries clothes in your budget.
Today, I’m going to introduce you to some of my favorite brands of tunics and long tops to wear with leggings and where to find them. Since tunics are a staple of my fall wardrobe, I need (!) to have many choices hanging in my closet. Here’s a reminder about what to look for in a tunic:
Thee are a couple of brands that fit me well, flatter my figure, and follow the rules of a great leggings and boots outfits; it’s so hard for me to resist buying when a store receives a new shipment! Knowing there are limited pieces in my size puts a little pressure on me, too. If someone else comes in and buys that super cute XL tunic, I’m out of luck! (Maybe I shouldn’t share my secrets with you – then you’ll know where I get all of my cutest clothes!)
Clockwise from top left: Joy Joy, Ivy Jane, Ivy Jane, Gretty Zueger, Jude Connally, Ivy Jane
I absolutely adore these lines. Most of them are wholesale and only available through boutiques. They range in size from small to XL and from $139 to $179 in price. You could wear most of these as dresses, although I always pair them with leggings. You can find those brands in small boutiques across the country; I get mine at Marlo Miller Boutique in Houston (she will ship to you!) If you do shop at boutiques, be sure to ask about the return policy. Most small shops limit returns to 14 days, sometimes less.
If you’re looking for less expensive tunics and dresses, there are lots of options. I haven’t purchased anything from these boutiques, so I can’t comment on the fit and quality, but everything looks cute! I realize that the models are a (little!) youngish, but I wanted to give you some under $50 options. Anyone can pull off these looks, though, so don’t let your age stop you from looking cute!
8. Essential Piko Tunic Long Sleeve
Do you like these tunics? Would you wear them? If you decide to buy one of them – or any tunic from a small boutique – I would love to get your feedback on fit, quality, and price point. And please share if you have a favorite local boutique. I think it’s important to support small business owners!
I am going to a blog conference this weekend, and I’m going to pretend it’s fall and wear my tunics and leggings and boots. It’s usually cold in conference rooms, right? I should be able to get away with it!
This is the fourth post in a series. Click HERE to read other posts.
40 is the new 30 