MN Fashion Week

It's Fashion Week here in Minnesota. While not as renowned as fashion week in other cities like New York or Paris, it's still a great week that speaks to the vibrant fashion scene in the Twin Cities. We have a lot of fantastic independent fashion designers here in Minnesota and it's so inspiring to see them put their work on display during a variety of runway shows and other fashion events.

To celebrate the spirit of fashion week in MN, I've compiled a list of my favorite places to shop. We have so many superb options for finding plus size clothes, gorgeous accessories and beauty products.


Short Sleeve Denim Dress, from Lane Bryant

Lane Bryant - Woodbury Location
8362 Tamarack Village #106
Woodbury, MN 55125

The Woodbury location of Lane Bryant is found in one corner a pretty nice strip mall. It's easy to park, to get in an out of the shopping complex (which cannot be said for many other LB sites in the cities!), and the layout of this particular store is fantastic. It's large and open, balanced equally with a nice clearance section and racks stocked with the newest styles. And the Sales Associates are really nice; attentive but not overbearing.


Bombshell Boutique
794 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105

Not affiliated with this blog (which is a common mistake people make), Bombshell Boutique is a fabulous spot along the historic boutique section of Grand Avenue. Carrying such designer plus size labels as Igigi, Kiyonna, INES, Anna Scholz, Monif C, and Jibri, as well as Wisconsin's own LucieLu, the clothes on the racks of Bombshell are well edited. It makes the experience of going into the boutique, browsing, and trying on beautiful clothes as satisfying as it is stylish.

Nordstrom Rack
324 West Marketplace
Bloomington, MN 55425

Mall of America's Nordstrom Rack has a great plus size selection of casual separates (the dress collection can be a little spare, though). And the shoe selection is amazing, especially for those of us with feet size 12+. Designer labels + plus sizes + discount prices= love!

3 Kitten Needles
750 Main Street
Mendota Heights, MN 55118

This cozy shop, set in the up and coming Village section of Mendota Heights, is a knitters dream. With scores of yarns in every weight and color you can imagine, it's fun to come in and browse or bring a project and work on it with fellow knitters. The staff warms up to newcomers, though I did have to make the first move to get to know anyone; and they offer classes for knitters at various levels.


Thymes' Mandarin Coriander Collection, available at Garden of Eden

Garden of Eden
867 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105

I spend a lot of hours sniffing bottles of hand lotion, bars of soap, and essential oils in this beauty boutique. The shop carries brands like Thymes, Kiehl's, Mistral Soaps, Crab Tree & Evelyn, Alba, and Garden of Eden's own house label. The sales clerks can help you find a beauty product for whatever particular condition you need (extra moisturizing, organic, sensitive skin). And they'll whip up your own custom blend of shower gel, lotion, massage oils or (my favorite) exfoliating scrub.


Matte Gold Earrings, from Fringe


Fringe
1055 Grand Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105

For on-trend, unique accessories at unbelievably low prices, I always head to Fringe. There are two locations for this store (the other is in the 50th and France neighborhood), but I'm partial to the one on Grand Avenue. Bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and purses - you'll find the perfect accent to any outfit here.

Paper Patisserie
366 Selby Avenue
St. Paul, MN

Last but not least, my all time favorite stationery store. Whether I'm looking for fine, heavy weight papers or a set of colorful notecards, I usually find two or three sets that have to come home with me. Journals, unique greeting cards, wrapping paper, party invitations...it's a paper-lovers' dream set in one of St. Paul's most historic neighborhoods.

These are my favorites- if you're a local reader, which retailers would you add to the list?