The perfect businesswoman is classy, sexy, trendy, comfortable and confident. With a combination of looks from two unique boutiques on the Pearl Street Mall, we’ve put together five distinct outfits that will help you embody that businesswoman and have you struttin’ your stuff around the office and around town afterwards.

MAX, 1177 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-449-9200

Chelsea, 935 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-447-3760

Classic little black dress

From Chelsea

Who says you can’t wear a little black dress to work? We’ve embellished this sophisticated piece with beautiful green accents, creating a sense of regality and a down-to-earth feeling to the outfit.

James Perse black fitted scoop neck dress, $165
Chan Luu aventurine eight-strand necklace, $232
Khadi & Co emerald small squares scarf, $233

Hey there, sailor

From MAX

We love the trendy nautical theme of this outfit, and all of the components that create it. The dark jean and longer boyfriend blazer are slimming and sharp, while the stripes add a little spunk.

Elizabeth and James navy blazer, $395
Alexander Wang nautical shirt, $95
J Brand skinny jeans, $140

Opposites attract

From Chelsea

This peasant top by Shoshanna flows effortlessly, allowing you to flow effortlessly, as well. The strong coloring and intricate pattern challenges the slimming black skirt — and both win.

Cobalt/cypress v-neck peasant top, $255
Susana Monaco black slim skirt, $78
Kathleen Doyle Murphy ruby graduated hoop, $102

Boldly blue

From MAX

Whether you work in a cubicle or are on-the-go, this outfit will turn heads. The pairing of fashionable shoulder pads and the striking blue color inspires strength and enthusiasm.

Elizabeth and James blue dress, $395
Yves Saint Laurent black booties, $860

Simply mod

From MAX

This Diane von Furstenberg dress gives a whole new meaning to rolling out of bed and going to work. As comfortable as this dress may be, it’s even more flattering and stylish.

Red dress, $365

More than a pretty face
Jillian Frazin, 38, personifies not only the strength and inspiration of a successful businesswoman, but also a vibrant spirit we all aspire to attain. After spending eight years learning about various types of medicine, she has created what she calls embodiment therapy, which is a unique combination of energy medicine and psychotherapy.

“Our energy needs to flow out; yet we’ve been taught in our culture to squeeze it tight,” she says. “I teach people how to maintain energy and gain empowerment. It’s a very eclectic approach.”

She has helped women conquer fears, gain confidence, overcome pain and awaken sexual energy. The Boulder resident is a true Renaissance woman, having just finished writing a book, creating a guided meditation CD and picking up Flamenco dancing to further motivate her work.

“It’s been a new awakening of everything in my life, coming together and clicking.”
For more information about Embodiment Therapy, e-mail jillfrazin@yahoo.com or call 303-709-7101 for a complimentary first session.

Model: Jillian Frazin
Stylist: Angel Garcia, www.pinupprettymua.com
Photos: Jonathan Castner
Story: Maggie Schoonmaker

* Audible attachments, such as bells.
* Felt appliqués of any variety (Santas, presents, trees, reindeer).
* Electronic parts that glow or blink.

If you answered “yes” to any of the abovementioned, it’s time for some extreme fashion intervention.
It’s easy to get carried away in the season of tinsel, embellishing our yards and trees and presents and bodies. But before you scare the reindeer games out of Rudolph, offer yourself the gift of good style by checking out this local shop:

Barbara and Company, 1505 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-443-2565

Barbara and Company carries a range of styles, all touting “casual sophistication.” The hip, but not trendy. We love how the store is organized by colors, with tons of inspiring and accessorized outfit combos on display — making it simple and quick to walk out with a foolproof (and applique-proof) party outfit.

Here are a few style inspirations:

Models: Alexandria Holton (brunette) and Rose Silkey (blonde), both of Boulder.
Stylist: Angel Garcia, www.pinupprettymua.com
Photos by: Jonathan Castner
Story by: Aimee Heckel

The little details
The little things add up big, like delicate bead accents, crystal accessories, ruffles and black diamonds.

On Ali: Bailey44 ruched beaded tunic, $152. Equestrian velvet leggings, $156. Giles and Brother black diamond earrings, $104. Giles and Brother crystal and topaz bangles, $52-114.

On Rose: Bailey44 scoop neck dress with draped strings and lurex trim, $220. Season Whispers bracelets in black with crystals, $84. Bailey44 camisole in black with silver banding, $102. J and Z ruffle wrap, $218. Marlyn Schiff silver rosette ring, $48.

Sparkles and silver
The holidays are the perfect time to shine. Sparkling silver becomes less garish and more sophisticated when paired with black or a deep purple wrap.

On Ali: Bailey44 beaded tunic, $152. Liz Palacios collar necklace in silver with pearl/topaz, $174.

On Rose: Bailey44 camisole in black with silver banding, $102. J and Z ruffle wrap, $218.Marlyn Schiff silver rosette ring, $48.

Long shirts and leggings
Leggings are in this winter, but they can be done oh so wrong. The right way: Dress them up with long shirts or dresses, extravagant jewelry and a sexy, cropped jacket. (Leather and crystal is our ideal combo.) You’ll be comfortable, but not look sloppy.
On Ali: Andrew Mac leather jacket, $298. Michael Stars crystal sprinkled tank, $50. Bailey44 ponte zip front leggings, $142. Virgins, Saints and Angels charm, Magdalena in hematite, and sterling necklace, $358. HOBO red leather clutch, $85.

On Rose: Language flora applique tee, $78. Equestrian French velvet leggings, $156. Virgins, Saints and Angels san benito necklace, $320.

Violet and ruched
Deep purple is the color of winter 2009. And shirts and dresses with ruching, or a gathering of the fabric, flatter all body types.

On Ali: Three Dotes v-neck rouched front dress, $132. Chan Luu hematite earrings, $94. Chan Luu hematite necklace, $182.
On Rose: Bailey44 rosette ruched tunic, $176. Equestrian French leggings in black velvet, $156.

More than a pretty face: Meet the models

Rose Silkey, 25, of Boulder
Loves: Music, art and dancing.
Motto: “If you do everything that you are capable of, you will truly be amazed. Give it all you’ve got.”
Inspired by: God, beauty and love.
A challenge overcome: “When I was 16, I had to move away to a new town. I learned how to make new friends and also learned what is important to me in life.”

Alexandria Holton, 27, of Boulder
Interests: Traveling, exercising at Rally Sport, cooking, shopping, fashion, reading and enjoying the first year of marriage.
Motto: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away.”
Inspired by: God, my husband, my mom, family, friends and everything around me.
A challenge overcome: “The hardest obstacle I’ve had to overcome was leaving home for college and learning that it molded me to become who I am today.”

Check out these five comfortable — and cozy — winter looks.

1. A little wild
A new edition to the shop, this edgy, fitted leopard-print jacket wasn’t something we expected to find at a store with the word “knit” in its name.
Leopard jacket, $548
Majestic black v-neck tee, $98
Nanette Lepore black pants, $278

2. Cashmere heaven
Knit Wit is most known for its vintage cashmere sweaters, made out of chunks of old cashmere pieced together. No two are the same. Wear it with a Burning Torch cashmere hat ($194 each) and you can literally be clothed in cashmere from your head down.
Burning Torch long sweater coat, $678
Burning torch necklace, $198
Park Vogel brown T-shirt, $62

3. Oversized and comfy
A lot of Knit Wit’s inventory is from France, including this oversized boyfriend sweater vest.
Park Vogel gray sweater, $318
Cotelac tweed vest, $228
Park Vogel gray shirt, $88
Nanette Lepore black pants, $278

4. Buckled in
Give a little shape to this cozy dolman-sleeved gray Graham and Spencer sweater outfit by tying it together with a wide belt.
Graham and Spencer gray sweater, $378
Wide belt, $248
Nanette Lepore black pants, $278

5. Wrap it up
We love this funky Pete and Greta gray wrap, which can be worn an exponential number of different ways. Creative, unique yet well polished? Sounds like a Boulder woman to us.
Pete & Greta gray wrap, $68
3J Workshop plaid tunic, $238

Model: Nicole Wienholt
Stylist: Angel Garcia, www.pinupprettymua.com
Photos: Jonathan Castner
Story by: Aimee Heckel

More than a pretty face
Nicole Wienholt, 41, is a woman with a mission: “To inspire others to embrace their potential, accomplish their dreams and experience the joy that is discovered through living passionately.”
The Broomfield resident, who works all across Broomfield and Boulder counties, is a yoga instructor, life coach and nutrition coach. She teaches yoga at the Yoga Pod, 1750 29th St. in Boulder, and also teaches yoga to athletes at the University of Colorado.
She says she enjoys yoga, not only for the physical exercise, but also for the mental and spiritual workout.
“Yoga plays into everything in your life,” she says. “Work hard, have fun and be safe all at the same time. Protect your body, and honor your body. Know your limits but stretch your limits a little bit. Flirt on the edge a little. See where you can go. And surprise yourself.”
Check out www.nourishyoga.com and www.pepimpact.com to learn more about Wienholt and her work.

Just as shocked as when she tells her modeling gigs that she has her master’s in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado and she works as an engineer with spacecraft for Digital Globe in Longmont.

“In the States, that’s the way it is: Either you’re smart or you’re pretty,” she says. “Whereas in Japan, there’s an adage: ‘A woman endowed with both brains and beauty.’”

That certainly describes Kanner, 26, of Longmont.

Kanner used to hate getting her picture taken, she admits. Then, in 2007, she got engagement pictures done. She loved them. And that launched her new hobby.

Kanner has an eclectic background. Before switching to engineering, she originally was going to major in dance. She also plays the violin, cello and string bass. She enjoys helping friends decorate their houses, and she spends her free time watching Japanese Anime cartoons.

“I’m the biggest nerd ever,” Kanner says.

And if she won the lottery, she says she would go back to school and become a linguist. For the past few years, she has been studying written Mayan — “just for fun” — and she recently took a trip exploring the ruins.

Indeed, Kanner is as diverse as this month’s shoot, designed to show the myriad of looks you can get from the same person at the same store. Even beyond society’s stereotypes, so many women lock themselves into a rut, whether in their habits or the way they do their hair. In fact, Kanner says she keeps her hair short to show people that short hair has just as many options as long.

This month, she says she also tried to expand the stereotypes of each era.

“Rather than doing the ‘50s in cheeky pin-up, it was very demure and restrained and sculptural. Rather than the ‘70s as some high-fashion, anorexic drug thing, it was outside, free and fun,” Kanner says. “Playing on that other aspect of the eras was really big for me, and I had a blast doing it.”

— By Aimee Heckel

Whether it’s for Halloween, for fun or as a much deserved fall makeover, take this month to reinvent yourself — and your style.

A great place to start:
Goldmine Vintage, 1123 Pearl St., Boulder 303-945-0845

Goldmine opened in September 2007, stacked with vintage clothing and accessories, men’s graphic tees and the greatest selection of vintage dresses we’ve ever seen — organized by era. This makes finding what you’re looking for easy, and it also helps you break out of your style rut. Not to mention the sales associates are knowledgeable, total experts to help you put together a one-of-a-kind outfit.

All vintage clothes are hand-picked from trade shows, thrift stores and rag houses, huge warehouses of vintage clothing.

Goldmine explodes in Halloween, dedicating about 75 percent of its attire to Halloween costumes and inspirations. But here’s our style secret: Any day is a good day to tap into the classics.

Check out five different outfits from five different eras on one local model.

1940s
Coral/yellow rayon gown, $90
Feather headband, $14.95
Coral glass ring, $12
Vintage gold tassel earrings, $14

1950s
Sharkskin satin wiggle dress, $75
Black elbow-length satin gloves, $11.95
Rhinestone necklace, $26
Rhinestone bracelet, $30

1960s
Drop-waist flower power dress, $28
Yellow tights, $5.95
Yellow plastic bangle, $2.95
Yellow plastic mod earrings, $4.95

1970s
Geometric-print shirt-dress, $28
Vintage gold owl necklace, $20
Vintage ladies’ sunglasses, $14
White over-the-knee tights, $5.95

1980s
Black and white polka dot party dress, $40
Vintage ladies’ hat with veil, $24
Plastic bangles, $2.95 each
Neon pink fishnets, $5.95

Story by Aimee Heckel
Photos by Jonathan Castner
Model: Laurren Kanner
Stylist: Angel Garcia, pinuppretty@yahoo.com, www.pinupprettymua.com

Kansal is the owner of Bollywood West, a dance studio in Boulder that offers Indian dance classes. It’s the first such studio in the state, and its growing popularity reflects America’s growing interest in Indian popular culture.
As an extension of the studio, this month Kansal, 33, along with dancer, Heather Booth, 35, opened a new aerial dance school. They call the Cirque-style school Miraas Aerial Dance, named after the Urdu word for “inheritance.” The Mirasi of India are nomadic performing artists who pass down their art from generation to generation.

As the saying goes, “A Mirasi will die of hunger before they sell their art to entertain people who cannot understand and appreciate it.”

For Kansal, aerial dance epitomizes beauty.

“It moves me to tears, it is so beautiful,” she says. “Anything that is true — pure to itself — is beautiful. Everybody finds babies so beautiful. That’s because they haven’t been clouded or made cynical; they are so pure in their joy. Same with animals: their purity and trueness.”

Dance is a way of expressing that individual, deepest truth, she says.

You don’t have to be strong or a gymnast to learn aerial dance, Kansal says. In fact, she began after having her daughter.

“It’s great for addressing your fears, especially for women, and really appreciating your body — still having the ability at this age to impress yourself,” Kansal says. “It’s beautiful and feminine, yet strong within that gracefulness. A quiet power.”

The goal is to make that strength appear effortless — a metaphor for the life of a busy modern woman, she says.

At the heart of everything Kansal does is her 2-year-old daughter, who regularly visits the studio and has been known to yell, “Mama, fall!” (Possible translation: “Mama, come down.”)

“What kind of role model do you want to be?” Kansal says. “Strong, powerful, graceful? All of these are things that we need for aerial, as well as to be businesswomen. We want to show that to our daughters.”

For more information, check out www.bollywoodwest.com and www.miraasaerial.com.

— By Aimee Heckel

Violette, 1631 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-443-3976

This boutique opened last Mother’s Day, and it is bursting with gorgeous dresses — all at reasonable prices. The average price for a dress is $40 to $60. And there are styles for any woman, any age (even tutus for the little ones) and any occasion: formal, trendy, beachy, twirly, vintage-inspired, casual. We’re hyperventilating just thinking about it.

If walls and racks of ribbons and lace don’t delight you, get this: The store is run by three generations of local women: a grandmother, her daughter and her four grandchildren.

Violette isn’t limited to dresses (although we can’t imagine why anyone would want to wear anything else). The shop also carries blouses, pants, bags, hats, scarves and cases of unique jewelry, some locally made.
It was nearly impossible for us to pick just five dresses to feature, but we struggled and toiled and drooled all over the store until we settled on our fave five.

And as if the dresses weren’t beautiful enough, we solicited two local dancers who just opened a new aerial dance school this month to bring the gowns to new heights on the trapeze. Because softness — combined with strength — is what makes women like us so beautiful.

Models: Renu Kansal and Heather Booth
Stylist: Angel Garcia, pinuppretty@yahoo.com, www.pinupprettymua.com
Photographer: Jonathan Castner
Story by: Aimee Heckel
Location: Apex Movement, 2250 Lawrence St. in Denver, www.apexmovement.com

1. Timelessly feminine: Young Essence dress, $110
The rust-colored lace overlay and thick olive green waistband give this dress a vintage look. We paired this dress with a teal and orange bead neckless with a big rose charm, $52.
Young Essence (www.youngessence.com) is a family-owned company based in San Francisco, Calif. Young Essence believes “In every woman lies the essence of youth, just waiting to sneak out and be that kittenish girl within” — or maybe that inner fairy floating on an aerial hoop.

2. Maximized maxi: S-12 dress, $84
This dress is as colorful as it is comfortable, with a polyesther-Spandex mix. Front features rhinestone accents, and the T-back is knitted lace.

3. All frills: Sans Souci dress, $66
Two words: White and lace. It doesn’t get more feminine than that. Yet the thick straps give this dress some umph. Dress it up with pearls (such as the multistrand we found at Violette for only $20), or punk it out with beat up Docs and a cropped leather jacket. This dress makes us want to get married all over again, or at least sip (not red) cocktails on a cruise ship.

4. First in line: Lucy Paris dress, $68
Sharp and straight vertical ribbon accents balance out the flowy A-line cut and delicate camisole straps on this gown. We love the colors: robin’s egg boning over a pewter blue. Renu loved modeling this dress that she couldn’t part with it; she bought it on the spot.
Pair it with delicate blue rhinestone barretts, $5, and square blue stone earrings, $43.

5. Light as a feather: RYU dresses, $55 (on sale)
Butterfly print. Sheer multi-layered ruffles. Asymetrical hems. Black lace necklines. This dress, which comes in different colors, will give you wings. Ryu is a fashionable, yet affordable, Dallas women’s line.

Dahl, a Boulder native, opened Savvy after she graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder two years ago with a degree in international affairs and political science.

But she was raised around retail; Dahl’s mother owns The Fitter, 1352 College Ave. Dahl said she had her own ideas of how to craft a store and serve the Boulder community. When a prime location opened up on Pearl Street, she says she jumped for it — and discovered it was something she was good at.

Dahl says she loves being a young businesswoman. She says she’s confidant that the economy will improve and that this lull is a normal part of the cycle.

“I also know that retail and how people buy clothes is changing now more than ever with the Internet,” she says. “Luckily, I’m young enough that I have a grasp on those changes.”

In addition, Dahl serves on the Boulder Downtown Management Commission, a liaison between City Council and downtown issues. Dahl is active on five of the commission’s committees, such as parking and the operations committee.

“Not only do a own a clothing store on Pearl Street,” Dahl says, “but I am actively involved with how Pearl Street is run. For my store to do well and be successful is important to me personally, but it’s also in the best interest in the vitality of Pearl Street.”

— By Aimee Heckel

Despite our best efforts to convince Mother Nature otherwise, fall is already peeking around the corner. But we don’t want to leave summer behind just yet.

That’s why we decided to find five incredible outfits that work both in August, and as we transition into the colder months.

Who better to ask than one of Boulder’s more versatile shops?

Savvy, 1114 Pearl St, Boulder, 303-440-3989, www.savvyonpearl.com.

Savvy opened on the Pearl Street Mall in 2007, offering a wide selection of styles and price ranges. Check out our outfit combos, and you’ll see $20 sandals with $300 outfits. Swap out the sandals for boots — which Savvy has one of the greatest selections of in Boulder County (especially if you like Uggs) — and you can bring any of these outfits into the fall months.

Savvy employees are also trend hounds, always with a careful eye on the magazines and celebrities. You’ll find magazine clips throughout the store featuring the hottest styles next to the very clothes to replicate them, or at least inspire your own version. Walking through the store is like having your own personal stylist.

Plus, Savvy sells men’s clothing, so while you’re perusing the racks of dresses and stacks of cute tees, your man has his own entertainment. We don’t know of any other independent stores in Boulder that offer these hip styles for man, plus these brand selections for women.

Here are five of our favorite summer-to-fall transition outfits from Savvy.

1. Menswear and gray.

Emilie Talermo wears a Free People plaid menswear shirt ($108) intentionally splattered with bleach, cinched in the back to look feminine and fitted. The plaid gives the shirt a fall feeling, but the colors (and bleach) are light enough for summer. Pair this with a $24 Belgo Lux gray belt and $140 Ugg boots. Even if you’re over Uggs, the new gray color is eye-catching and fun.

2. Bandeaus and colored denim.

Colin Hotard wears two of 2009’s biggest trends: navy-colored Robins Poplin pants ($162) and a bandeau, by Free People, $28, in navy. Over the top, she swears a Free People scarf shirt, $98, accented with lace and a high button-up neck, for a Victorian twist. Keep your eyes out for tops with lots of detail, interesting prints and lace.

As the summer cools down, it’s finally time to start transitioning back into pants from dresses. But the mustard yellow top — a great season-limbo color, instead of the summer’s bright yellow — keeps the outfit summery and fresh. Finish the outfit with gold sandals from Reef ($24).

3. Rivets and pockets.

Brown and black do not always clash. In fact, here they go together perfectly. Heather Paulson wears a $138 Soul Revival black studded dress with $140 Ugg wedges. This dress has a summery cut, but in fall’s muted colors and with rugged stud detailing. The best part: This dress has pockets. We cannot resist a dress with pockets. Finally, elegant and practical go together!

4.  Rope belts and olive.

Erica Dahl wears a Sky belted dress ($158) with a La Vie Parisene necklace ($48). Pair this dress with leather gladiator shoes for a summer look, or boots to take it into winter. Olive is a great color for this time of year because it brings out sun-kissed skin tones, while being muted enough for winter. The attached belt assures it will stay in the right place, and makes the outfit look well put-together, even though it only takes a minute to put on.

5. Floral print.
Rachel Gomez wears an “exotic jungle” print Free People dress, $138; Ocean Minded sandals ($28); and Seasonal Whispers bracelets ($44). This dress, with a rouched top made out of shimmery gold material, comes with removable straps. The gold looks festive — dare we say holiday? The material almost feels like velvet, but with a light floral print. Finish off the look with a Melie Bianco purse for $79.

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Each month, we feature a different shop in town. This month: Jah Vintage, 3330 Eldorado Springs drive, Eldorado Springs, 303-494-5262, www.jahvintage.com.

Women are complicated creatures. We multidimensional, to say the least.

At Women’s Magazine, we love clothes that express women’s eclectic personalities. Fashion is about options. Clothing and accessories are just two of the ways we convey individuality.

That’s why hit up Jah Vintage. The shop has everything from vintage Gucci tops to handcrafted Mayan necklaces. Jah Vintage’s accessories collection features local and international artists whose pieces are original and never mass-produced.

The store’s full of little treasures from all over the globe. Whether it is a shark tooth necklace or snakeskin stilettos, you’re bound to find something as fierce as you are. Here are Jah Vintage’s ideas on how to combine high fashion vintage style with one-of-a-kind accessories so that every outfit is as unique as you are.

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