You hear it less often: If you want great fashion, you have to go to San Francisco.
You don't. The Sacramento area (and certainly beyond to Roseville) explodes as a shopping destination.
And local retailers – especially the unique-to-us stores – are where men and women turn for advice on what to wear for work and play.
One of those retailers is Robin Ritts, who for more than 22 years has owned Robin Lyle boutique at 1123 11th St. in downtown Sacramento.
She's well-suited to be the first Stylemaker profile in our new Style section. We sat down with her to discuss how she approaches fashion and where the trends are headed.
Why did you open a boutique in Sacramento, across from the Capitol?
After I sold my store in San Francisco and moved here (25 years ago), I had a hard time figuring out the fashion trends. I was standing on a corner downtown – at lunchtime – watching hordes of women pour from the buildings in their jackets and heels. It was the Willie Brown era, where everyone (lobbyists, consultants, attorneys, judges) dressed up. So I tailored my store to suit who I figured would be my customer.
Does the Capitol imbue a certain look?
Definitely. Midtown is funkier, younger. I sell jackets 10 to 1 over everything else in the store. When I go to market I'm looking for great color, shape, how a jacket closes. These women want to show their personality through their clothes, but they don't have a lot of time to shop. So we'll pull clothing we think customers will like and call them to come in and try it on.
How have you established a rapport with your clientele?
I'm brutally honest. And I don't have a poker face. I tell women to buy the appropriate size, not the size you want to be. Every manufacturer's apparel runs different. Having an on-site tailor helps because most off-the-rack apparel needs tweaking.
Is this style similar to your own personal look?
I completely ignore many of the trends. You won't find puff sleeves and baby-doll tops in my store because they aren't age-appropriate. I look for pieces that work with apparel women already own. I'm a minimalist. I like sophisticated elegance that's also casual. Jackets, jeans, boots. I love white shirts. Some of mine are 25 years old. Then I add big, baubly jewelry and scarves. That's how you can change your clothes – with accessories.
What will we see for fall?
Full-legged pants, Katharine Hepburn-style. The fullness is in the leg, not the tummy. Boxy jackets and pencil skirts (think: Tippi Hedren in "The Birds.")
Your fashion mantra?
I'm a big believer in how you wear your clothes vs. what you wear. Style isn't necessarily about beauty. It's the confidence in how you pull off beautiful clothes.
What's new in your closet?
My husband bought me a pair of Dolce & Gabbana chocolate brown snakeskin pumps – and a pair of UGGs – for my birthday!
Do you know someone who would make an interesting Stylemaker? E-mail your suggestions to Leigh Grogan, lgrogan@sacbee.com.
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