Store

Part of the fun of Velouria is guessing which vintage each independently designed garment represents. The boutique's exterior may be '60s-style blue and pink, but the silk flowers and gauze inside seem turn-of-the-century Victorian, while ruched turquoise-and-black tops are all '80s glam-rock. Marilyn Monroe-style halter dresses hang next to light cotton print sundresses with pockets, straight from a 1950s kitchen. And how do you place an exquisitely sewn orange Suzabelle herringbone mini with an eyelet hem and a random zipper stuck to the front (not to mention the orderly column of safety pins down the left side)? Details, like this punkish nod to school uniforms with kilt pins, are in great supply here.

Most tops come with their own accessories, be they rhinestone clips with sprays of gauze, fabric flowers with button centers, vintage lace silk screens or colorful foil cutouts. Pockets double as accessories with their bold contrasts of fabrics, folds and prints. Colors range from rich earth tones to electric brights — and there is a lot of pale pink.

With its touchable clothes, eye-candy creations and aromatic soaps and oils (mysteriously named "Felt" and "Flicker"), this store engages your senses — but not without making you use your brain.

Tips: The Zuzupop line, Velouria owner Tes de Luna's own, has the most 3-D details; it appears that appliqué is her forte! She quietly sews her designer duds, named for her cat Zuzu, as shoppers browse her store, which is named for the Pixies song.

By Alison Peacock
Special to NWsource