Iconic femininity is realized at the Pink Poodle, a consignment boutique on the west side that gives shoppers a fun, flirty experience of baubles and Coach bags, pearls and pashmina scarves.
Beth Testa, a former Marshall Field's personal shopper, opened the Pink Poodle in 2002 on Odana Road; she moved across the street to a bigger space last June. In its new digs, the Pink Poodle has expanded its wares to include "guys" wear and a home furnishings showcase ranging from rustic to Asian to shabby chic.
Still, the Pink Poodle's strength is its hectic variety of women's clothes, purses and shoes. The store is especially popular during prom and for shoppers seeking something unique and thinking outside the mall.
Some eye-catching pieces are a pink and black polka dot lingerie robe with a feather collar ($50), a black 1920s-inspired cloche hat ($20) and a bateau-collared baby pink dress with a drop waist and pleated skirt ($50).
If you're tempted by the sparkles of the watch collections and designer jewelry, you can get off cheap with a colorful bangle bracelet ( $13) or spend the rent on Chanel and Gucci sunglasses ($150 to $200).
And the store itself is an experience. The Pink Poodle's decor sets a definitively feminine tone, with comfy sofas and fitting rooms decked out with gilded mirrors, vintage prints and cameos.
The store celebrates detail and how the right piece can define the perfect outfit. It's something that shoppers can savor.
The Pink Poodle
5918 Odana Rd., 608-276-7467
Mon.-Fri. 10 am-6 pm, Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. noon-5 pm; consignment Mon. & Tues. 10 am-5 pm