The Vintage & Handmade Market 
BB Dakota dress at Mimi & Red. Photo by Kelly Davis.
I have a uniform. It’s not the school-girl or service-worker variety, but mine is just as simple. I like pretty patterned dresses—ones that have a sort of inherent flirt by way of a simple ruffle or a kick pleat or a flourish here or there.
In the warmer months—and there are many of those in San Diego—I pair them with simple flats and a necklace. When the weather is slightly cooler, as it is now, I don a cardigan and maybe tights. For full-on cold days, I go with the tights and cardigan and add boots and a bomber. If the occasion actually arises where I get to go out, I’ll add heels.
So I’m always on the hunt for more pretty patterned dresses. Ideally, I’d get them all at Anthropologie, so I could look like one of the moody, dark haired Swedes from its catalog, but did I mention that I like them cheap? My go-to places have always been Urban Outfitters and, dare I say it, Forever 21. When my husband sees that all-too-familiar bright yellow bag, he spits out, “You are so not forever 21.”
He’s right, and there is no denying the soul-sucking, heart-crushing atmosphere of the mall store.
Since pretty patterned dresses are a trend right now, according to the magazines du jour, my kind of little dresses are available in a handful of local boutiques, all for less than $100.
I stopped in Twirl in Hillcrest (3840 Fifth Ave., 619-291-0933) and had a mini joy attack—where there had once been far too much desperation club wear lining the walls there was now what seemed like miles of silky prints: florals big and small, peacock feathers, hearts, polka dots and even some geometric puzzle patterns. The cuts were all on the shorter side, with belts or cinched waists. There were puffed sleeves, sleeveless and shirred sleeves. All in all, a magnificent selection and all priced under $50. These aren’t heirloom, designer or incredibly well-made garments, but then again, it’s all eons better than F21. Two new pretty patterned dresses purchased: $73.86.
I drive by NYLA Kensington (4095 Adams Ave., www.nylakensington.com) almost every day but had never stopped in, despite my pointed reason to shop. The front of the store just wasn’t inviting. But when I finally ventured inside, I found a fair amount of the types of dresses I love. There was a ton of earthy, tribal, African-inspired prints—another popular trend—but I can’t pull those off. With my wild and crazy hair, I just look like a damn hippie. But, still, they were way cute, particularly the ones from the brand Angie. More abstract prints, a few florals—all in all it was pretty dizzying. In a good way. And the prices were once again predominantly under $100.
Mimi & Red in North Park (3032 University Ave., www.mimiandread.com) has been a local girls’ shopping staple since it opened. It’s always got some pretty patterned dresses, although, currently, there are more pretty patterned jumpers from one of my favorite brands, Haven. Like fashionable onesies, they take chutzpah to pull off, but the ones from Haven have a decidedly “dress-like” drape. Mimi & Red also carries dresses from Audrey, which has an ’80s bent and is seriously affordable, as well as from the Dakota Collective lines, a favorite from the pages of Lucky. The garments from BB Dakota are everything I love in a dress— shapely, nipped and tucked without too much fuss and dotted with gorgeous and vivid patterns.
And while Twilight’s Bella is no style icon to me, you may be interested in knowing that Mimi & Red carries her now-famous jacket, also from Dakota Collective. Fact is, it would look mighty fine over one pretty patterned dress.
Send ideas to clea@sdcitybeat.com.
