Freedom of Choice

Skip the cookie-cutter mall fashions for some of these hip boutique finds.

 

Although many of us will find ourselves in this predicament this coming presidential election, we prefer to keep our politics far away from our passion for fashion unless we are discussing Hillary’s pant suit du jour and Donald Trump’s spray tan hue.
We do our very best to always shop and promote local. Unfortunately, it is not always easy for us to do so with many of our clients. We have beautiful stores with incredibly accommodating and friendly staffing. New Orleans, the Northshore, Baton Rouge and even the Houma/Thibodaux area are filled with stunning shops with equally splendid merchandise. Yet there is a definite void in their inventory. Unless our ladies are a size 00 to a size 8/10 we sadly have to move on to purchasing clothing from department stores and online. We hear as well, all too often, from friends and clients that there are not places to purchase quality clothing in local boutiques over a size 8 or 10. This is a situation we do not comprehend; if the average size of the American woman is a 12 to 14, something seems to be lost in translation. ALG, after a bit of research, has unearthed a few sassy and classy boutique alternatives with lovely inventory.

Red, White & Jaci Blue

Jaclyn McCabe is 6-foot-2-inches and has never been below a size 12. McCabe has had a lifetime of being a frustrated shopper. She has perpetually struggled with finding pieces that were stylish, figure flattering and unique. “I was never able to enjoy an afternoon shopping with my girlfriends,” she explains. “There were not any options available for my size unless I went to the mall and department stores.” McCabe, as a result of her disappointment combined with the lack of selections for her style savvy mind, has been responsible for opening three plus-size retail boutiques. She launched Voluptuous Vixen in the French Quarter, which has since closed; she helped spearhead a plus size-boutique in Los Angeles; and she is now the owner of the new boutique on Magazine Street, Jaci Blue.

Size Matters
Jaci Bleu carries sizes 12 and up. McCabe herself is very much a “girly girl” and loves a pretty dress. Jaci Blue offers a plethora of neat and sweet frocks perfect for the office, date night, weddings or simply to run around town. You can also find a great mix of separates, pants and traditionally hard to find and fit bra sizes. McCabe’s goal for Jaci Blue is to provide a special and welcoming environment for her customers with plenty of fashionable clothing.

Jaci Blue
2111 Magazine St.
Mon.-Sat. 10-6 p.m.
Su. 12-5 p.m.
(504) 603-2929
jaciblue.com

Additional boutiques that carry above a size 8 include:
Ballin’s
721 Dante St.
(504) 866-4367

FeBe
474 Metairie Road, Metairie
(504) 835-5250

Armoire Boutique
3102 Magazine St.
(504) 304-3537

Go forth! You deserve the right to bare arms and the freedom to choose! Happy Fourth of July and happy shopping!

–Aimée Gowland and Corrie Pellerin, ALG Style