Store

Walking into the Betsey Johnson showroom is like coming over to your best friend's house. You just want to hang out on the funky floral couches and try on clothes. But here's where it's different: The people here actually let you take the clothes with you when you leave and won't make you promise to keep some godawful secret. All you have to do is pay.

Betsey Johnson has the unique distinction of being one of the coolest acts around — she's been the "It" designer since Twiggy, Brigitte Bardot and Edie Sedgwick tore around New York in her clothes in the 1960s — and her creations become classics the second they hit the streets.

There's always plenty of fun stuff that you can dress up or down — flowery cardigans or pink-sparkle-thread jeans — but the black dress remains a staple all year long, whether it's a sexy crochet number or a flowy, flowery thing.

TIP: Like your best friend, the staff will call you with notices of sales if you give them your phone number.

By Vanessa McGrady
Special to NWsource