Miami may be one of the vainest cities in the country -- but at least we look good doing it. In that spirit, we're indulging our love of the superficial by spotlighting fashion finds in the 305.
The Find: Neon-melon woven leatherish bag with purple trim and patterned interior lining by Deux Lux. Caro, one of the three owners/BFFs who started the boutique Miss Pepper about a year and a half ago, said they were hesitant to unleash this bag on the public now because it's a beach tote in shape and form. We say, "Good grief, it's 85 degrees outside and we got sunburned while putting gas in the car -- so let loose any other semi-beach bags you're hiding too."
The Shop: Miss Pepper Accessories Boutique might be the best place in Miami for boys to shop. While the place doesn't actually sell anything made for boys, a male or two has been known to pick up one of its Thomas Paul canvas laptop cases with '90s-style computers printed on them. Men, take note: No matter who your gal -- whether she be mother, abuela, girlfriend, or whoever -- this small boutique in a South Miami strip mall, next to a seafood market and French restaurant, will have something for her. The aforementioned co-owners are always there to help you choose something without breaking a sweat.
Miss
Pepper stocks bags, bangles, scarves, earrings, and accessories from local designers and bigger names in the jewelry game for prices ranging anywhere from under ten bucks to a couple hundred.
Highlights right now include a line of leather coin purses in fruit shapes, including watermelon and strawberry; personalized necklaces by
TAudrey; rings with seashells; and a Boston terrier named Pepper (who's
not for sale but gives kisses for free).
The Reason: This
neon bag is on trend for spring -- and it's spring here already. So get
ahead of the game and beat the rest of the country to what's sure to be a
ubiquitous color in accessories, clothes, and beauty trends
on any fashion-forward neon-risk-taker.
Here's
another reason: There's nothing quite as gratifying/absolutely awful as
a bag that's so big and wearable that you're surprised to find your
Burt's Bees lip balm in it when you need it, but can't remember how or
when it got in there to begin with. This bag can be used for the beach,
and surely would fit a towel, sunscreen, and the mandatory boombox for
South Beachers. (What is up with that? Keep your reggaeton to
yourself, puh-leeze.) But it would be best suited for everyday junk-collecting all spring long.
The Style: Fashion-world darlings are wearing neon-printed cropped pants with a
solid neon tailored shirt, chunky neon jewelry, and strappy neon
heels all over Milan, Paris, and their newest haunt, Mexico. You might
look like you escaped the looney bin and ran straight to Flamingo Plaza, but those girls do it, so knock yourself out.
For
an easier way to wear a punch of neon, pair it with complementary colors
such as toned-down pastels, softer neon, or beiges and neutrals. The great thing about a statement accessory is how
easily it can take a head-to-toe neutral look and give it a polished and
intentional look -- even if you are just taking it to the beach, as Caro
suggested.
