Fashion for formal occasions at Zola Keller in Fort Lauderdale

You don't even have to walk inside Zola Keller to know what this boutique is all about because displayed in the shop windows are vibrant wedding and prom dresses. Yes, it is a bridal/prom/pageant/formal occasion boutique.

The boutique has two stories; the bottom floor features mainly prom and cocktail dresses while the top floor is the bridal floor featuring wedding wear and suits. The dresses are all colorful and covered in either rhinestones, feathers or both. Many dresses come in multiple colors and are adorned with crystals on one part of the dress (chest, waist, etc) and many are ruffled or textured. Therefore only buy here if you want to stand out at that bat mitzvah/wedding/prom you're attending because these dresses practically shout at you to notice them.

I have no problem with colorful, adorned dresses and if done right, they can be very stylish. But to be completely honest, some of Zola Keller's collection is a bit "too much", too much sparkle, color and print on one dress. The fashions have a bit of that wild "Betsey Johnson" party frock feel.With that being said, there are dresses that I did find to be fun and cute.

Zola Keller does do something very cool. They offer customized creations at no additional cost so that the customer can design and create their own dress and be measured for their size. Off-the-rack sizes range from 2-24.

The owner of Zola Keller, designer and retailer Zola, has been very active in dressing beauty pageant contestants for two decades, dressing everyone from Miss Latina Florida to Miss America. She is passionate about charity and fund raises for many, including cystic fibrosis and the American Cancer Society. In fact the store is holding a fashion show to raise money for cystic fibrosis March 15.

The boutique holds numerous events throughout the year, including trunk shows for specific designers so that customers can see their collections before they are displayed.


The boutique has been in business for 30 years. The price range is about $150 to $4000, as it is a specialty store featuring prom and wedding dresses, which are notorious for being expensive.

Italian inspiration at Moda Mario in Fort Lauderdale

Moda Mario is a unisex clothing store featuring both men's and women's wear inspired by European, and most specifically, Italian fashion. It isn't the Italian fashion of Versace's bold colors and geometric patterns or Dolce and Gabbana's leopard silk bustier dresses, but classic Italian fashion; the Italian fashion that is known for high-quality leather, well-tailored suits and soft, flowing dresses.

Unique American Soul in Fort Lauderdale

 

American Soul is noticeable on Las Olas Boulevard by its logo engraved into a mirror-like plate on the front of the building that reflects the boulevard... which is sort of a metaphor for the clothing style of the store. The store has a unique selection of men's and women's fashions. Some pieces are bohemian with a European flair, some are graphic, "Ed Hardy-style" and some are soft and feminine, while still others are bold and nightclub-ready. 

American Soul has been in business for nine years and has two locations, one on Las Olas Boulevard, and another in the Dolphin Mall in Miami. They have a medium-sized selection of graphic t-shirts with tattoo-like designs and rhinestones bedazzled onto them. They also have tight black dresses and rompers, perfect for nightclubs. 

  Then, like a multi-layered personality, the store offers another selection of pieces that are more Bohemian in nature, like loose, feminine pastel dresses for girls and casual t-shirts for guys. So if you want to find something to wear for a variety of occasions, this is a good store to check out.

Prices range from about $50 to $180. The staff is friendly and the store is clean and organized. The decor is minimal, the walls are light blue and there is marble flooring. American Soul is located at 810 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. To see more of what the store offers, you can visit their web site.

Exploring men's fashion at Bennett Uomo in Fort Lauderdale

 Today's post about Bennett Uomo is So Fla Fashion Find's first foray into men's fashion. Bennett Uomo offers both ready-made and custom-tailored  high-end and casual dress wear. The owners, husband and wife Vincenzo and Graziella DeCaria, are originally from Italy, where Vincenzo studied clothing design at the School of Sartorial Specialization in Torino, so he brings an expertise to his craft.

The store has been in business for 26 years and is the only men's clothier on Las Olas Blvd that offers tailoring on-site. Shoppers can enjoy a cup of espresso while they walk around the store, which has hardwood floors and tables, ceiling fans and white walls.

All of the clothing is made from fine European fabrics and designers such as Donald J. Pliner and Hiltl can be found inside. The selection offered is made up of:

• Ready-made or tailored trousers and suits
• Italian leather shoes
• Belts
• Leather and suede jackets
• Jeans
• Shorts
• Button down dress and casual shirts

The store held a trunk show featuring custom-made suits and shoes earlier this year, as well as a private sale for customers. Prices are high because of the custom nature of the clothing and the fabrics used, ranging from $100 for a button down shirt to $195 for well-tailored slacks. The staff is present and will help you with any concerns.

So Fla style

 Florida and Hawaii are the only states in the U.S. that possess a tropical climate, and clothing style in South Florida is definitely influenced by that. In South Florida, we do not get seasons so much as temporary weather changes, and the dominant temperature through out the year is "hot." Because of this you'll see many people in sandals and shorts, almost year-round. South Florida also has a vibrant, international culture, with many people from Latin America and around the globe inhabiting Miami to Palm Beach. So when you see someone walking down a So Fla street, their clothing will probably be:

• Cool, breathable fabric, like cotton
• Colorful 
• Casual but stylish
• Form-fitting but not overly tight
• Slightly accessorized

It's the end of February right now and while most of the country is still enduring that concept foreign to South Floridians, winter, the temperature here is in the 80's. (I kid, we do get a winter, there are usually days in December, January and February that are in the 40's and 50's, but they are far and few between, especially this year.) So I've created two examples of  "So Fla-style" outfits that are perfect for the current weather and would most likely be seen on a girl walking down the street here.

A light, airy outfit that still has style. Perfect for walking down A1A in the hot Fort Lauderdale sun.

A feminine, breathable dress paired with flirty jungle green-strapped wedges and a studded bag for that Miami edge. Great for having lunch on South Beach's Ocean Drive but fancy enough for a myriad of events, like a nice dinner.

Upscale Tropical at Blue in Fort Lauderdale

Blue is a boutique on the restaurant and clothing store-heavy Las Olas Boulevard. Like most of the establishments that line the vibrant boulevard, Blue caters to an upper middle class audience looking for a bit of casual elegance in the tropics.

Blue has a "Tommy Bahama for women" vibe to it as most of the clothes are casual, yet stylish with a tropical feel. They carry colorful scarfs, denim and body-hugging summer dresses along with long, summery evening dresses and have name brands such as Michael Stars and Dolce Vita.

The style is unique, as exemplified by a mannequin wearing a long, belted cotton dress with a winter shear ling coat over it. I would say that the clothing style is more suited to women over the age of 30 because it is not flashy or overly tight, but any age can appreciate it.

The price range is $30 and up. The store is small and airy with creative finishes such as circular dressing rooms covered by burnished gold drapes. The staff was friendly but busy.

Getting fancy with La La Couture in Fort Lauderdale

It's a day at the beach followed by a night on the town at Boca Leche in Fort Lauderdale

Quirky and funny at Jezebel in Fort Lauderdale

Jezebel is more than just a clothing store, it's a unique blend of bold accessories, quirky and humorous cards and gifts and creative pieces of clothing with designer pieces thrown in. I've known about Jezebel for years, since my first visit to the store with my aunt when I was a kid. It's a fun store filled with cards, magnets and other things with a sense of humor. It has been in business for 26 years.

Jezebel is currently stocked with an assortment of Valentine's Day cards that aren't your typical love letter fare, focusing instead on raucous and lighthearted humor. The store also has other Valentine's Day-inspired materials such as aprons with hearts on the front and glittery hollow hearts. 

The boutique has also been known to hold events in the past.

"We've featured local artists who have brought in their crafts, held fashion shows and even had a cupcake party," said Jezebel owner Mary.

Jezebel has a space that can accommodate events as it is medium-large with an opening that proceeds like a hallway down into an open square room. All of the items are jumbled together inside the store giving it the feel of an attic.

Welcome! What's this all about?!

Welcome to So Fla fashion find! This blog is all about highlighting men's and women's clothing stores in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Although mall shopping is great, this blog will focus on the stores that stand alone, outside of the mall, such as boutiques, consignment and vintage shops, etc. I will be in essence "reviewing" the stores (kind of like a food critic but for fashion stores) and letting you know the features of them, such as:

• Price range
• Clothing style (photos and video included when possible)
• Decor
• Location
• And other tidbits

So Fla fashion find then is for anyone interested in fashion and discovering a diverse category of shops in the Fort Lauderdale area. I hope that you will enjoy what this blog has to offer and feel free to leave a comment!

"Fashion is all about happiness...it's fun...it's important...but it's not medicine." -Donatella Versace