In the last few years, as the one-of-a-kind boutiques on State Street downtown have gone the way of the stoplight on the 101, shopping has become almost impossible for me here in Santa Barbara. At age fiftymumblemumble, I’m not wearing something with the word “Juicy” on my butt, and I’m not going to pay several hundred dollars for a pair of jeans. But I find my options are narrowing. Betsey Johnson? Not for me! Becca:Christian? Three hundred dollars for a shirt? Old Navy? I can afford it but I won’t wear cheap clothes made for teenagers.
I live up by LaCumbre Mall, which has undergone such a radical transformation I have to slap myself to make certain I’m not in Sherman Oaks. Tiffany. I love Tiffany. My husband will never shop there. He thinks earrings made by Liz Claiborn are special … Louis Vuitton is on its way in, too. If I come home with a purse from LV, I will have to use the paddles to shock my husband back to life.
I hear Neiman Marcus is scheduled to make an appearance, replacing one of the two Macy’s. I don’t know if that’s true or not, so don’t quote me. Remember when Nordstrom used to be the expensive place in town? Now it’s becoming the most reasonable place to shop.
I don’t know if this bothers anyone else or not. Shopping in Ventura, especially on Main Street, is really fun. Lots of boutiques and unusual treasures.
Just like downtown Santa Barbara used to be.
Where do you shop? Let’s make a list of great places left to shop in Santa Barbara that are unique. Downtown: Socorro. Bloom. Diani. On upper State Street: Chique Boutique and Just a Little Something.
What else?
Barbara Lanz-Mateo
Publisher, Coastal Woman
April 22, 2008 at 3:18 pm
How about Patty Montana in Goleta? It can be a little pricey. Wait. Now Patty Montana is looking reasonable!
April 28, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Seriously! I have the same problem…were does one find comfortable, hip clothing that’s not astronomically priced or too skimpy for a this-belly’s-been-pregnant-twice mama? My girlfriends swear by “Drishti” – a little boutique carrying really cute tops and jewelry. It’s on Canon Perdido. I still shop at Nordies, myself. Habit, I guess!
April 29, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Boy have you nailed this one! Wouldn’t it be great if old town Goleta were to become what downtown Ventura is now? You know, lots of one-of-a-kind boutiques and eateries. A destination! Think of it…Goleta as a destination!
May 15, 2008 at 10:53 pm
You might want to wear earplugs when you visit Abercrombe & Fitch, or just shop online, but they have really good quality causal wear. They have flip flops, polos, jackets, really really comfy sweat pants, capris, jeans etc.
Other then that I go to Nordstroms.
May 26, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Thrift stores, baby!
Also, Ann Taylor Loft is pretty affordable and has good quality, cute stuff.