The Art of Your Local Boutique

Inside the boutique experience that no algorithm can replicate at neighborhood staples like Strut.

There’s something to be said for shopping in person, especially nowadays. You can touch and feel every product, try things on and get to know a brand or shop intimately. 

Shopping can be a personal outing, a social meetup, a fun catch up and a way to bond with friends. Window shopping alone serves as inspiration for me in many ways; discovering how to wear an accessory differently, seeing a color paired with another color, observing how the artist behind the window display brought products to life.

Visiting local shops offers the chance to get to know the creator behind the window display meant to catch my eye. It’s a third space to connect, to be inspired and to develop a personal style.

When I order something online, it’s usually because I’m seeking a specific item that I can’t find elsewhere. I struggle to connect with the brand unless they’ve spoken to me in some way, and when my purchase arrives, the excitement wears off quickly. 

But when I make a purchase in a store, I tend to tie the interaction to the experience. I’m more likely to buy something if I loved the woman that helped me, and there’s data behind that sentiment that everyone in retail tries to embody. 

Strut is one of few women’s clothing boutiques in the Highlands, but it’s been rooted in the community for over 20 years for a reason. What makes a store like Strut a staple is not only the selection of timeless and classic pieces, but that customer service comes naturally. 

Owner Elyse Burja remains set on what she sought out to do when she opened Strut: to make every woman who walks out the door feel appreciated. 

“We really strive to make sure nobody leaves feeling not themselves,” said Burja. 

That feeling is what makes shopping in person so fun. While it may seem easier to make an impulse buy, there’s a chance this is a purchase you wouldn’t make otherwise.  

Feeling the texture of a pant before putting it on, or seeing a scarf tied around a mannequin’s head in a specific way, and even hearing the thoughts from the shop associate, are all resources to make an informed style decision that you won’t regret. 

My favorite part about a shopping outing with friends is the discussions that arise about fashion. Maybe we share our shopping list, which currently includes the transitional sweater that will take us into spring and the ballet flat that we’ve been seeing everywhere. 

Maybe we compare fabrics and textures, holding up dresses, asking for advice and approval. We fall in love with stores where there’s something for everyone; from the clean-girl minimalist friend to the funky maximalist one. 

This is a reason why Strut started out with shoes and accessories, but quickly evolved to offer clothing too, becoming a space where friend groups of all types can find a piece that either inspires them, or was missing in their closet. 

With an extensive denim collection, jackets and coats, stylish graphic tees, dresses, blouses and everything in between, an entire outfit can be constructed at Strut. These are the looks that aren’t easy to narrow down online. But in person, you know you’ve found what has been missing from your wardrobe. 

“I really wanted people to have a unique experience and find things that they weren’t finding at big box stores or the mall,” said Burja, reflecting on the last 20 years of Strut. The result is a store filled with curated pieces that are both chosen, and worn, with intention. 

Hitting the mall most likely means you’re buying the same piece as someone else. For the gals looking to stand out in their own way, shopping at local boutiques offers access to brands that aren’t in every mall or online marketplace. And even if they are, the curated selection offers a more personalized and intimate shopping experience. 

With brands like Citizens of Humanity, Agolde, Frank & Eileen, Rag & Bone and more, a Strut woman looks like she knows what she’s doing. She likely appreciates fashion and is drawn to clothing that takes her inner confidence and puts it on display in a subtle, stylish way. (Thank you for letting us share our own definition of chic, here.)

To accomplish the standard of quality, intention and style that Burja has set, she is “always looking, searching, reading and dialing in on looks I find personally appealing and really versatile.” The result is a curated collection that may shift with the seasons, but remains connected to a store identity that Burja has maintained for over two decades. 

It’s not a secret that this intentionality is what shoppers are seeking right now. Edelman’s Global Brand Chief Officer Jackie Cooper outlined the shift in shopping as people are craving connection outside of their work-from-home setup and their digital lives. Cooper explained the revival of the in-person shopping experience, as social shopping has become both a sensory experience and a means to connect. 

The goal to connect lies at the core of the work that local boutiques like Strut are doing. And it benefits the customer and the shop owner equally. 

“After all this time, my customers are what keeps me going,” Burja said.

With an upcoming renovation and several events on the calendar, Strut continues to consider the customer experience first. Burja’s decisions are backed with what her customers are looking for, and it continues to preserve the charm of Strut. 

I love getting to experience the charm of a shop firsthand. And supporting local boutiques means you aren’t another number. The humanity between the customer and the business is interwoven into the store. 

So grab your cutest tote and let’s go shopping again. After all, an iced coffee in one hand and a shopping bag in the other is a dream day. I’ll be hitting Strut first! 

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