Upscale consignment packed with 5,000 square feet of fabulous finds

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A sample of the designer brands you’ll find at It’s So You include Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, Arden B, Armani, Banana Republic, BCBG, Born, Burberry, Cabi, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Citizens of Humanity, Coach, Coldwater Creek, Cole Hahn, Diesel, Dooney & Bourke, Eileen Fisher and more.( Photography: Felicia Vargo)

By Patricia Nugent

What are the three words you most want to hear when shopping with a girlfriend?

It’s So You!

When local fashion maven Laurel Howes opened her luxury resale boutique 11 years ago, it was a natural she would pick this as its name. Nothing empowers the spirit more than looking your best in an ensemble that suits your taste, flatters your figure and fits your budget.

The nearly 5,000-square-foot designer clothes and home goods destination boutique offers everything needed to outfit you head to toe, from designer jeans to athleisure wear, tops, jackets, dresses, outerwear, shoes and boots, handbags, hats, scarves and jewelry.

Opting for Top Quality
“A silver lining of the pandemic is that it’s taught people to appreciate quality again,” says Laurel. “As we say goodbye to sweatpants and head back into the world, I think women are returning to high-quality pieces for their wardrobe. They want sustainable things instead of fast fashion. That’s a perfect fit with us.”

“We are blessed with a staff that’s diverse in age, ethnicity, size and style,” she says. “When a shopper comes in, she can identify with the women who are here.”

Customers enjoy the luxury service of a personal shopper at a fraction of the price. In fact, she reports, they have people call ahead, say they are going on a trip or have a wedding, and need suggestions. When they arrive, they will find a dressing room filled with expertly selected clothes in their size.

Staying in touch with their loyal legion of shoppers helped It’s So You through the pandemic, and they also showcase their items online at ItsSoYouBoutique.com and It’s So You Resale on Facebook and Instagram.

For the ultimate convenience, they offer curbside pickup and ship around the world.

The nearly 5,000-square-foot designer clothes and home goods It’s So You boutique offers everything needed to outfit you head to toe, from designer jeans to athleisure wear, tops, jackets, dresses, outerwear, shoes and boots, handbags, hats, scarves and jewelry.


Name-Dropping
Laurel prides herself on being really picky when it comes to the lines she carries. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll find any given day at the boutique, in sizes 00-3X: Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, Arden B, Armani, Banana Republic, Born, Burberry, Cabi, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Chico’s, Citizens of Humanity, Coach, Coldwater Creek, Cole Hahn, Diesel, Dooney & Bourke, Eileen Fisher, Escada, Express, Free People, Frye, Gucci, Guess, Hobo, INC, J Brand, J. Crew, J. Jill, Kate Spade, Kenneth Cole, Lane Bryant, Lilly Pulitzer, Limited, Louis Vuitton, Lucky Brand, Michael Kors, Nine West, North Face, NYDJ, Paige, Paper Denim & Cloth, Patagonia, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Sam Edelman, Seven, Steve Madden, Stuart Weitzman, Tahari, Tommy Hilfiger, Torrid, Tory Burch and Ugg.

People have spent the past year “re-nesting” their abodes, taking a look at fun ways to refresh it. It’s So You’s home department offers a slew of adorable décor items, from candlesticks and vases to accent tables, chairs, floral arrangements, roomdivider screens, wall art, mirrors, lamps and accent rugs sourced from places like Arhaus, Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn. They’ve brought in a bevy of fall-themed items, including wreaths, table runners, leafy centerpieces and ceramic pumpkins.
Nothing empowers the spirit more than looking your best in an ensemble that suits your taste, flatters your figure and fits your budget.


What’s New for Fall?
To make sense of emerging trends and what will and won’t play well in Willoughby, Laurel follows the runways.

“For fall, colors that will be important are neutrals such as soft grays and beiges paired with crisp creams and white,” she says. “And for those who are more extroverted, a crop of big, bold oranges and reds, as well as deep emerald green and cobalt blue are also popular.”

She notes that the average woman has 30 tops to every one bottom piece in her wardrobe, so she likes to stock a plethora of fun tops for mixing and matching.

To complement the outfits, they offer an extensive department for designer handbags, with all the styles and must-have names, from Louis Vuitton to Kate Spade and Michael Kors.

Customers at It’s So You enjoy the luxury service of a personal shopper at a fraction of the price.


“Here’s what every woman should invest in heading into fall: a great-quality, open-top leather tote,” says Laurel. “It’s an indispensable piece for busy moms on the run who still want to look super chic.”

Laurel has an inspiring philosophy behind It’s So You. Her mom is the reason Laurel has always been so passionate about shopping resale because they had little resources for necessities and her mother showed her the way to dress with style on a very limited budget. Though she’s now passed on, her photo is perched on a fireplace mantle in the store and Laurel has a feeling that she’s watching over everything…and smiling.

It’s So You Boutique is located in the Pine Ridge Plaza by Heinen’s, at 34601 Ridge Road in Willoughby. The phone number is 440-833-4050. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Laurel offers consignment, store credit or buy out right. First timers need to make an appointment at ItsSoYouBoutique.com. All information about bringing in items is listed on their website, or you can stop in Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to talk with a member of the intake staff in person.

Categories: Lake County Shops & Boutiques