Store

You can tell from the fake grass under the mannequins in the window that Carmilia's is all about textures from the past.

Want clothes that twist, drape, sashay and surprise? The focus here is on satin, silk, velvet, glitter and beads — think speakeasy dancers from the '20s. Lighthearted, luxe and breezily elegant, these fashions are fun. Iridescent gauzy tops from Sweet Pea pair with Juicy Couture jeans, vibrantly painted slides and pink leather purses. Don't forget the tiny leather flowers for your hair (the best deal in the store at $15), cotton and nylon lingerie for later and glinting necklaces in elegant strands. Sophisticated summer dresses come in a variety of thicknesses and sheens, but for comfortable leisure, choose tiny-cut T-shirts displaying Mickey Mouse and other iconography.

Urns filled with rich-colored peacock feathers, lavish reclining statues, Botticelli reproductions and Asian-style tapestry rugs set the mood for indulgence. A makeup counter in the center of the store lights up your face, too, with glitter and glam from Susan Posnick and other makeup lines.

If you want to catch the limelight, start here.

By Alison Peacock
Special to NWsource