While many consider red to be sexy, black elegant and pink the ultimate in femininity, fashion mavens will agree white can embody all three with a little innocence thrown in for good measure.
Need proof? Just take a gander at the wares in White Innocence Ltd., a women`s boutique in Crystal Lake specializing in white apparel from casual play clothes to career ensembles to informal wedding attire.
Open since Christmas, the mother-daughter team of Theresa and Gina Sclafani stock over 90 fashion lines, all in white and ivory, and declare their aim is to enable customers to walk out with a complete outfit right down to lingerie, shoes and accessories.
Merchandise in the 1,200 square foot boutique runs the gamut from the latest fashion trends like leggings, baggy sweaters and T-shirts to knit sportswear, sun dresses and casual slacks to classics like silk boucle jackets, linen suits and wool separates.
What the duo defines as ”informal bridal” ranges from ivory suits to Victorian-looking tea-length dresses, many with enough beading, white-on-white embroidery and lace to make Martha Stewart swoon.
Prices are competitive (you can get away with a complete outfit for around $100) and, according to Theresa, while you won`t find big name designers in their shop, you will find ”unusual, nice styles that flatter. We try to seek out smaller, lesser known names like L. Bates, Emil Reutenberg and Jessica McClintock,” she said.
Do they tire of their monochromatic inventory? Not at all, according to Gina. ”It`s so pretty, and there are so many different things you can do with (white). And I just think it`s really feminine.”
”White is very sexy and at the same time kind of innocent,” agreed Theresa.
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White Innocence Ltd., 5718 South Route 31, Crystal Lake, one block south of Route 176, is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Call 815-477-7444.
