Local boutiques offer latest summer fashion trends

This year's summer fashion trends have included items like rompers, pants with wider legs and pieces in bright colors at local area boutiques.

Three boutiques - Washington's Jaz It Up, 121 W. Washington Blvd., and Mt. Pleasant's Le Chic Boutique, 101 S. Jefferson St., and Lillian Grace Boutique, 120 S. Main Street - have seen lots of rompers, jumpers and summer dresses go out of the door in shopping bags. Aimee Enfield, owner of Jaz It Up, said these one-piece outfits all make it easier to get ready in the morning.

Megan Denning, owner of Le Chic Boutique, said jeans with a more relaxed fit and a wider leg, as well as high-waisted items, have been coming back into style this past season.

Barbara Leyden, manager of Lillian Grace Boutique, said palazzo pants, which are made with a light fabric and cut with a loose, very wide leg, have been trendy this past season and will continue to be so in the fall.

All three women said bright colors are extremely popular for summer. Enfield said a splash of hot pink, coral or mint have been big colors at Jaz It Up, as well as neutral colors like dusty rose and mustard.

Enfield said yellow has been the most popular color choice for shoppers at her boutique, and Leyden noted more shoppers than usual are selecting green pieces at Lillian Grace.

Denning named camouflage as a popular print in Le Chic Boutique, and Leyden noted that florals are, as always, a summer go-to. Enfield said she expects the trend of snake and leopard print pieces she's seen to continue on into the fall.

She also noted accessories like fanny packs and cellphone purses have been frequently sold at Jaz It Up this summer. Instead of having big statement necklaces, she said, people have been opting to pair a simple necklace with big statement earrings.

With lots of people tending to shop online these days, Denning said it's important to continue to shop at places like local boutiques to help the community, as tax dollars from local store sales stay within the area.

In order to have places in town for people to shop, she added, shoppers have to come out and buy things locally or local businesses won't be able to stay open.

'You have to support (local shops) so things stay in town,” she said.

Leyden also noted the importance of shopping locally and said Lillian Grace has a wonderful customer base, some shoppers even coming in once a week.

'It's so important to realize where your dollars are going,” she said.

Enfield said places like Jaz It Up have staff members who can help put together outfits and dressing rooms to try things on before purchasing them. Being able to touch fabrics and see what colors actually look like in person is important, she said.

'We work hard at shopping, displaying, and giving you the latest fashion trends,” she said