Seattle isn't exactly known for its fashion sense. To the rest of the world, our residents are labeled with a "comfort-casual" uniform that includes a windbreaker, blue jeans and tennis shoes.
But Emerald City natives and savvy fashionistas know that clothing outlets around town carry styles ranging from Patagonia fleece sweatshirts to Chanel couture.
Just as vast as the selection of clothing available is the array of shops. Traveling outside of the city's shopping malls unveils a delightful mix of neighborhood boutiques.
Enter Les Amis. This cozy, little women's clothing store is located in Fremont at 3420 Evanston Ave. N., around the corner from El Camino Mexican restaurant and Burnt Sugar.
If you're not paying attention to the sign outside of the store's rustic exterior, it's easy to miss. Yet underneath an awning fashioned out of flowering vines and brambles is the door to a thoughtful collection of feminine clothing, gifts and accessories from a long list of funky designers.
'Intimate' shopping experience
Les Amis owner Becky Lynn Buford is a Boulder, Colo., transplant who opened the store a few years after relocating to Seattle in 1990.
"I wanted to appeal to the Seattle community by creating an intimate shopping atmosphere where I could really get to know the customers," she said.
According to Buford, the store's design and selection of merchandise caters to ladies of all ages.
"Our customer is a woman with a more creative look," Buford said. "Someone who has her own sense of style and is shopping for something unique."
The store's casual items include a collection of colorful knit scarves, leather and cloth handbags and trendy, color-coded pieces like wool blazers and flowing skirts bearing labels such as Velvet, Juicy Couture, Ann Friendly and Michael Stars.
Only one size of every item is found on the racks. "A matter of saving space," explained one of the employees.
Additional sizes are available with salesperson assistance and fitted in one of two dressing rooms housed in the corners of the shop.
The clothes are fashioned on racks made of wood rescued from an old sawmill in Preston, Wash.
Buford's husband, a Seattle contractor, crafted the display racks and tables, in addition to much of the interior and exterior design.
He also teamed up with her in designing Essenza, a European-inspired perfumery around the corner.
Party clothes
Les Amis' "French farmhouse" interior creates a warm environment that adds a delightful contrast to the shop's collection of party clothes.
A knee-length sequined black cocktail dress by designer Rozae Nichols and a pair of cotton candy-hued cardigans with rhinestone buttons and satin trim by Rebecca Taylor look like they would more likely be found at a formal dress shop.
Some of the items, a $54 cotton T-shirt and $160 jeans, seem overpriced. However, an ongoing sales selection also affords more budget-conscious options.
"Some people will walk in and see the middle rack (the most expensive section) and get discouraged, but we sell clothes at a range of prices, from a $20 shirt to an $800 winter coat," said Les Amis co-manager Lisa Clinton.
Secret to success
No matter what the age or budget, women who have visited the store seem to keep coming back.
"The secret to our success is that our customers support our presence here," Buford said. "I think these days people like shopping in their own community. They like to see their dollars supporting local businesses."
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