It's Spring Time - It's Shopping Time

In the spring, a woman’s fancy turns to thoughts of frocks and bonnets. With no dearth of stores that cater to those whims and our almost perennial spring weather to encourage you, San Diego welcomes your post-winter spree.

For tropical inspirations, you can’t beat Hilo Hattie’s, with its huge selection of Hawaiian floral prints. Mike Durniok, General Manager, says blues and greens are the most popular, but the selection is so large you can find almost any color any time of year. A shorter skirt and smaller straps characterize this season’s sundresses. Look for the innovative drawstring that converts a straight cut to an empire style and the fun cowboy hats with sequined flowers on the front.

Daytime knit dresses by Liz and Jane with unique details in out-seaming and buttons for casual wear have just arrived at Distinctions.  For an evening out or an elegant brunch, Benta Fahr, store manager, touts the slender sheath or silk bias-cut dresses paired with silk kimonos in prints inspired by artistic masters.  Blacks and brights remain the most popular colors at this large European-inspired boutique, but new arrivals include the springier soft pastels in mango, lilac, lavender and soft plum with fanciful drawstrings on the arms and ties on the skirts.  

Minis, baby dolls, and metallic wraps are “in” at Bloomingdale’s.  For those who prefer showing a bit less leg, sales rep Isa Diaz, suggests wearing the little dresses as tunics over jeans. The newer flowing A-line styles appeal to a variety of tastes, she says, especially when you have halters or straps and a flower field of colors from which to choose. Thwart sunburn with one of “Bloomie’s” big-brimmed hats suitable for a day at the beach or the race track.  

Stanch shoppers can easily spend an entire day strolling Kobey’s Swap Meet, where dresses, sunglasses and hats compete for attention with books, toys, games and tools. If you can’t find what you want here, you just didn’t look long enough. After a day of shopping for yourself, it doesn’t hurt to bring him a present.

San Diego Trading Company makes it easy with a signature selection of t-shirts, visors and ball caps. Choose a Padres team logo, and get a pink one for yourself, too, suggests wholesale manager Diana Barbiani. After all, it’s time for baseball, the sport that turns a man’s fancy.