Accessorize wardrobe with Charming Charlie

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Updated: January 21, 2012 11:49AM

If you have not stopped in Charming Charlie, it’s time to take a look. Charming Charlie is filled wall-to-wall with accessories organized in easy-to-shop color groups and style statements. It’s a great place to find accessories for any age or style.

The draw to this store is that Charming Charlie’s merchandise is typically priced from $4.97 to $49.97, with many of its earrings and watches ringing up at $14.97. Charming Charlie helps shoppers pull together their look through the key finishing touches — earrings, necklaces, bracelets, handbags, scarves, belts. It’s a boutique environment without the high prices.

The store was founded just seven years ago and now they have 178 stores in 33 states. Charlie Chanaratsopon’s vision was to fill the gap that was missing in the accessory industry.

“The consumer is interested in dressing from her own closet right now. Not in buying clothes, but in buying accessories that don’t cost as much but can refresh a whole outfit,” he said. “The demand is out there, and retailers like Francesca’s and Charming Charlie are capitalizing on that.”

It can take a while to explore the entire store. They are loaded with all different styles. If you aren’t in the mood to browse just head right to the color you are looking for and you’ll be done in a snap.

The front of the store always showcases the season’s trendiest colors and styles. This season’s looks to have lots of shades of purple and dark blues in everything from bags to jewelry.

And a large section of the store features traditions and trends for your holiday party, bridal party or special event.

So now you aren’t dropping $40 on a pair of earrings you may wear once. You can head directly to the color palette that you need and find all of your accessories right there.

The back of the store has an entire area dedicated to the younger fashionistas, ages 7-14, appropriately called Charlie Girl.

There are 15 stores in Illinois so stop in and take a look. Find locations at charmingcharlie.com.

Shopper’s tip: Grab a gift card for the next birthday gift you have to buy.