Featured Boutique: Wunderberg Collective

Wonderberg "is a consignment store dedicated to inspiring sustainable living".

21 N Minnesota St. New Ulm, Minnesota 56073

Most of my clients live in the suburban ring around the Twin Cities. But, every once and awhile someone reaches out and asks me to travel a little further out. Such was the case a couple weeks ago when Jackie, the new co-owner of Wunderberg Collective reached out to me. She requested I come and check out her new store located in New Ulm, Minnesota, about an hour and forty-five minutes southwest of the Twin Cities. I had been to New Ulm a couple years ago for a client and I knew I'd enjoy visiting it again. I convinced my husband to take the drive with me and we meandered our way through beautiful country side that the Minnesota River cut through creating stunning views of hills and bluffs.

The sun was shining bright and I looked forward to getting a tour of Wunderberg. Jackie and her sister, Jen, had taken ownership of the store, formerly known as "gypsy girl consignment" a little over a year ago. In the past twelve months they have been busy making it their own. With a recent name change and a bit of a remodel, it is feeling more real to them every day. Both Jackie and Jen, had grown up in New Ulm and have deep family roots there. College and careers had taken them away for a time but, the desire to return home was always in their hearts. When the opportunity arose to invest back into the community, they took it.

Though the name of the store has changed, it will continue to consign new and lightly used clothing as it always has. With the desire to invest in their community, Jackie and Jen are passionate about encouraging local artisans by giving them a space to showcase and sell their art. As I entered the front door, there were two display tables featuring new original household gifts.

I met Jackie right away and we began to walk the store. From the outside, I could not tell that this location was so big but, the store extended deep into the historical building hosting racks of clothing from women's to men's, children's and accessories, to household and artisan's creations.

In the center of the floor is the cash wrap and directly across is a wall of vintage jewelry. I couldn't resist a pale green vintage brooch ($12) and a statement piece western belt ($14).

Co-owner of Wunderberg, Jackie Berg

Just beyond the sales counter is a beautiful old wooden staircase leading to an office. The children's section wraps around and behind the staircase.

To the right of the staircase is a large room with jeans and dresses and formal attire. I couldn't see the room from the front of the store and didn't know it was there until I was right in front of the doorway leading into the room. Jackie told me that happens often. They're trying different layouts to see what suits their costumers best and how to make that room easier to find.

I enjoy the character and beauty of small towns. The architectural history is intriguing to me and another form of art. New Ulm, with a population of approximately 14,000, has prioritized preserving this history. This main shopping street is on Minnesota Street; it's six blocks of boutiques, offices, bars, cafe's, book stores and family businesses.

Summer is approaching its end. The drive from the Twin Cities to New Ulm is going to be a stunning as the Fall colors appear. I encourage you to make a visit to New Ulm and stop in and see Wunderberg Collective. Tell Jackie, "Kathy sent you". :)

Wunderberg

collective

21 N Minnesota St

New Ulm, Minnesota 56073

wunderbergcollective@gmail.com

507-276-6251

Hours

Tuesday - Saturday 

10am - 5pm​ Sunday & Monday: Closed

Looking down Minnesota Street in New Ulm

Happy Shopping!

Shopping is what I do and I'd love to shop with You!

Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant Kathy Banta

From Bathing Suits to Swim Suits

Yesterday, my husband and I rode our tandem bike around the lakes, here in Minneapolis. We've had a lot of rain this Spring and we haven't had very many days that have felt like Summer. But, today was a beautiful hot Summer day.

As we rode around the lakes we "people watched". Some were serious about their jogging, others walked dogs, while mother's, or nannies, were strolling toddlers around in joggers and wagons. Every so often we'd hear a little bell or someone say, "On your left" and a biker would pass us by.

As we took in the sights of Summer, the diversity of the Twin Cities was obvious as we saw mother's at the playgrounds sitting together in their long gowns and hijabs. Others sunbathed on the beaches in bikini tops and thong bottoms. I didn't want to see that much skin yet, the thought of any fabric covering me in this heat gave me a momentary desire to jump in the lake! We peddled on as I pondered the many styles of swim attire.

I recently picked up Marjorie Myers Douglas' book Barefoot on Crane Island. (Crane Island is in Lake Minnetonka.) I haven't read it yet but, I thumbed through it looking at the photos of her family from the 1920s. Their swimsuits from that time period look similar to some of my summer dresses. Over the decades, some of us have become very comfortable in our skin while other's have chose to be much more modest.

In the late1800s to the early 1900s, "swim suits" were not a thing. "Bathing suits" were what women wore to get into the water and cool off. Swimming in their gowns would have been highly unlikely. The fabric weighted down by water and the affect of wearing a net of fabric would have been dangerous. "Bathing suits" were simply for sitting in water and cooling down. They were often made of wool, flannel or linen.

By the late 1920s, knickers were getting shorter, armholes were getting deeper and necklines were getting lower. The concept of wearing an outfit a woman could really swim in had arrived. But, the first women to wear the "tank suits" were often arrested for "indecent exposure."

Some of the boldest changes came in the 1930s. Women had the option of a one-piece or two-piece swimsuit, the latter with halter top or brassier like top options and bottoms in shorts or a skort. Fabrics were changing greatly with the introduction of Lastex, a fabric made with yarn and rubber string, allowing a swimsuit to be more fitted and flexible and wrinkle free. Just think of the drastic change in fabric, and modesty, that took place in those thirty years!

The styles of the swimsuit into the 1950s continued to have a consistent feminine style and were somewhat modest (by today's standards). But, in Europe that was changing.

In 1946 French Designer Jacques Heim introduced the "atome", a more skin baring two-piece swim suit. Not long after, another French Designer, Louis Reard, released his "Bikini". It made a splash revealing much more of a woman's flesh and figure. The United States did not adopt this style as quickly as the European swimmers but, once it made it's way to the U.S., the beaches have never been the same.

My mom never allowed two-piece swimsuits growing up with the goal of instilling modesty. It worked. I've never felt comfortable being so exposed. Now, after some years and three children I carry weight around my middle, I have no desire to wear a two-piece still. But, that doesn't mean they are wrong for others. But, to be honest, if you are into style, bikini can have a limited amount of style. It's exciting to see the trends of swimwear nodding back to more glamourous times of the 1940s and 1950s where the one-piece was not only useful but, it has feminine details.

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SHOPPING

Every woman's body is beautiful in unique measurements. But, it is true that straight thin figures can find swimwear much easier than curvy, fuller figured gals. But, we don't give up, we persist. The goal is to find a swimsuit that is cute, comfortable and you feel confident in. It is possible.

Here are some options to consider. Remember, we always go up a size in swimwear. You haven't gained weight; that's the rule. So, if you wear a size 12 dress, choose a size 14/16 swimsuit.

Brand: Lauren Ralph LaurenWomen's Paisley-Print Ruched One-Piece

Store: Macy's

Price: $155.00 on sale for $93.00

Details: The paisley print and the ruching give a flattering effect to tummies.

Brand:  Anne ColeWomen's Floral Draped-Front Tankini Top

Store: Macy's

Price: $82.00 on sale for $41.00

Details:  The pattern is flattering. The criss-cross effect at ribs hits like an empire-waist. This is just the top which can be mixed with briefs, skort or short bottoms.

Brand: Anne ColePlus Size Denim Dot Surplice-Neck Swim Dress

Store: Macy's

Price: $128.00 on sale for $76.80

Details:  The bold cobalt blue with dots is fun and energetic. The criss-cross effect at ribs hits like an empire-waist, which is flattering to busty and fuller figures. The side ruching/wrap is slimming and the skirt is practical. This is a really cute suit.

Brand: Swimsuits for AllWomen's Lightweight Scoop Neck Blouson Tankini Top

Store: Macy's

Price: $45.99

Details:  Comfortable, casual and cute.

Great to camouflage bellies and busts.

Pair with a brief, skort or shorts.

Brand: Tommy BahamaCoastline Stripe Strapless Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit

Store: Dillard's

Price: $148.00

Details:  The contrasting asymmetrical lines create the affect of a curve at the waistline AND if you have a smaller waistline to hip ratio, it is especially flattering.

Brand: La BlancaFluid Lines Mesh High Neck Midline Bra Swim Top

Store: Dillard's

Price: $89.00 Top, $79.00 Bottom

Details:  Tummy Control bottom, stylish strappy back, sporty style

Brand: Raisins CurveTrendy Plus Topanga Printed Tie-Front Tankini

Store: Macy's

Price: $60.00 on sale $30.00 Top,

$52.00 on sale $31.20 Bottom

Details:  Tummy Control bottom, keyhole back detail with tie, and flattering tie front, empire waist top - I love this one!!

We no longer want bathing suits; we need swimming suits to play and swim in the water. When we live in the state of 10,000 lakes (and many more swimming pools) we don't want to miss out on the fun of Summers in the water.

Wishing you a Swimmingly Happy Summer!

Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant and Stylist Kathy Banta

Reach out to me to shop together, or to edit your closet, or to style you for an event.

A Shoe to Live In

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. Well, to find a shoe you can live in is quite a feat! (Unintentional Pun!) My sister texted me the other night sad that the lining of a pair of her favorite classic shoes was disintegrating. She knew she was going to have to part with them and it was upsetting because they had become such a go-to pair. When we get upset over something like this, it's because the shoes not only looked great, they're versatile and, most importantly, they were comfortable. They were broken in and formed to her feet. To find shoes we can "live in" is a wonderful thing. Especially, when it's a heel.

SJP - Sarah Jessica Parker brand Shoes were only available for 10 years.

Last month I threw out two pairs of heels, too. One was a navy kitten heel pump that I should have parted with a year ago but, I was sure I would never find another pair like them and kept holding onto them. I haven't found a replacement but, because I go into women's closets and tell them to part with shoes that are damaged or worn, I had to take my own advice and let them go. The other shoes that I threw out were a slate gray chunky heel pump. They were so comfortable. Honestly, I hadn't had them that long and their interior shouldn't have been disintegrating this soon but, they were.

We, my sister and I, have a love for shoes. But, let's be honest, of all the lovely shoes in our collections we have our favorites that we just keep going back to. We're not the only ones. Anna Wintour has been criticized for wearing the same shoe for years. I'm pretty sure she's not wearing the "same" shoes over all this time. She's probably having the same shoe custom made for her over and over because as she says, "if the shoe fits".

We all want to find that comfort shoe that fits our lifestyle. Jackie Kennedy brought "the pump" style into the White House in 1961.

I think about Jackie Kennedy walking about a quarter of a mile in John F Kennedy's funeral procession from the White House to the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington D.C. She was walking on pavement! Jackie wore Rene' Mancini shoes.

Interestingly, Anello & Davide also created the ruby red slippers for Dorothy (Judy Garland) for The Wizard of Oz.

I think of all the walking Queen Elizabeth did in her Anello & Davide shoes. She wore the same handmade style for over 50 years becoming an iconic look for her. It's reported that the queen had a person on staff wear her shoes and break them in so, to avoid having to shorten a visit due to foot pain.

Melania Trump is known for her nearly 5 inch stiletto heels. They are gorgeous on her. I wish I could wear them, too. But, I can almost feel the pain when I look at the height of her heels. I just can't do it anymore. Melania is regularly seen in Christian Louboutin's. She caused a buzz for wearing these yellow plaid Manolo Blahnik shoes in 2016. Haters gonna hate but, I have to say, she knows how to dress and looks stunning.

Another woman known for her shoes is Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker's character in the television show "Sex and the City" that ran from 1998 to 2004. I love this picture of her surrounded by Bergdorf Goodman bags and shoe boxes. It's a fashionista's dream.

No matter you're go-to shoe, whether it be a flat or a stiletto, when it gives up the ghost, the dreaded thought of replacing them is daunting. I know I am continually comparing and just wishing to have my shoe that is no more. But, I will find another navy kitten pump with that unique flare yet, classic. I will get another slate gray chunky heel. But, I will be choosey.

So, to all you shoe lovers who understand the pain of losing a pair of beloved shoes, at least we have a reason to shop.

Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant Kathy Banta

#TwinCitiesWardrobing #personalshopping #personalstylist #favoriteshoes #comfortableshoes #ChristianLouboutin #ManoloBlahnik #Rene'Mancini