It’s happened to us all.

At a party, at the office, at the mall, you catch a glimpse of another woman and gasp with the realization that you, too, are sporting that skirt, that blouse or that handbag.

With popular name brands, chic celebrity clothing lines and fashion-forward department stores, it’s not uncommon to run into a stranger with a disturbingly familiar sense of style.

Fortunately for Columbus fashionistas, trendy, unique boutiques are popping up everywhere – from the Short North to the suburbs – allowing women to bag one-of-a-kind jeans, jewelry, clothing, shoes and handbags.

Boutique owners understand their shoppers are striving for an individual look, and so offer styles, designers or materials that may be difficult – even impossible – to find anywhere else in the Columbus area. Many boutique owners conserve their products’ uniqueness by limiting quantities, sizes and colors, while others offer patrons foreign fashion flavors by importing products from cities such as New York, Los Angeles, London and Paris.

So whether you’re searching for those just-me jeans, that no-one-else necklace, or the made-for-me Mary Janes, you can find your trendy treasure without ever leaving the area.

Jeans
Powell Jeans Co., 65 W. Olentangy St., Powell, 614-888-5326
Skinnies, flares and low-riders, oh my! The Powell Jeans Co. offers jeans for any taste and body shape, says Owner Mike Bowman. “We have any type of jeans anyone would ever want,” he says. This boutique boasts all-feminine denim from New York and Los Angeles, and in-store custom services, such as hemming, included in the price. “It’s a place where women can feel comfortable shopping for jeans,” Bowman adds. “It’s just a real laid-back atmosphere.” Hot items: Fidelity and Hudson denim lines.

Women’s Clothing
Cheesecake Boutique, 1382 Grandview Ave., 614-481-0400, Grandview Heights; 38 N. High St., Dublin, 614-799-0800, http://cheesecakeboutique.net
Priding itself as a boutique with department store pricing, this family-run business specializes in “cool, quality clothes for women, clothes you can actually wear,” says Owner Betsy Johnston. Shoppers come in to find jeans, pants and apparel that fit, and the store focuses on customer service. Employees will spend hours in the fitting room with a customer or call to let her know the store has a pair of pants she might like. “We really take an interest in how women feel about what they wear,” she says. Hot item: Hanky Panky intimate apparel.

Fibres, 791 N. High St., Short North, 614-299-9760
Simple, stylish clothing and accessories make Fibres an ideal boutique to shop for upscale, everyday items. This long-established boutique offers two floors of apparel, jewelry, footwear and handbags. “We’re a contemporary women’s boutique,” says Owner Kim Hames. “We do a little bit of everything, really.” Hot items: one-button wraps, Michael Stars T-shirts.

Jinny, 844 N. High St., Short North, 614-291-3600, www.shopjinny.com
This chic boutique boasts apparel, accessories and shoes from emerging, established and hard-to-find upper crust designers from international and domestic hot spots. Jinny’s dresses, pants, blouses, shoes and handbags exude quality fabrics and construction, and its collections mirror seasonal trends. Owner Jin Fillinger describes her goods as “classics with a twist,” and says, “We try to present a different take on fashion; we have a point of view here.” Hot items: unique tops, cocktail dresses, cashmere and cropped sweaters.

Le Flair Boutique, 233 W. Bridge St., Dublin, 614-764-8508
Clothing and accessorizing Dublin since 1979, this boutique offers everything from jeans and T-shirts to earrings and special-occasion dresses. “People’s buying habits change, so we try to keep a wide variety of inventory,” says Owner Jill Richey. Her typical customer is a 40-something working professional who’s fashion-savvy, yet wants apparel that fits a woman’s body, she says. “We’re not pushy here. We want our customer to look and feel good.” Richey also delivers to customers’ homes, opens the store by appointment, and allows customers to take home products before buying. Hot items: Panticular pants and Marc Abel jackets.

Rowe, 718 N. High St., Short North, 614-299-7693, www.shoprowe.com
This contemporary designer boutique is known for its exquisite dresses for weddings, anniversaries and showers. With the 25- to 45-year-old demographic in mind, Rowe supplies “things that are innovative and unique to Columbus,” says Owner Maren Roth. Designers hail from fashion meccas such as London, Paris, New York and Los Angeles, and include pieces that translate easily from day to eveningwear. “I think my store is the kind of place where, if you have fashion know-how, you can take the pieces and make them your own,” Rowe says. Hot items: the Maren & Ruby jewelry line and the Lauren Moffatt clothing line.

Substance for Fashion Conscious People, 783 N. High St., Short North, 614-299-2910, www.fcpcares.com
Classy, comfortable clothing made with natural, eco-friendly and recycled materials makes for a substantial fashion statement. This two-story boutique carries elegant dresses, cute skirts and colorful leather purses, plus an in-house clothing collection, designed and created on site. “I think that’s what sets us apart from everyone else,” says Manager Michele Ulmer. The store also donates 2 percent of each sale to local educational charities. Hot item: the “Sunshine Skirt,” a lightweight cotton skirt available in four colors.


Shoes
Little Shop of Shoes, 664 N. High St., Short North, 614-484-7463, http://littleshopofshoes.com
Fashion and footwear unite in this boutique, which caters to women who love stylish shoes, handbags and accessories. Styles are limited in quantity and size, making each pair a one-of-a-kind, says Owner Jennifer O’Neill. “You won’t find anyone else in Columbus wearing these shoes,” she says. And these aren’t your basic black heels, O’Neill adds. “You come in here when you want to get inspiration for the rest of your outfit.” Twice a year, the boutique sponsors a charity drive for “Dress for Success,” providing business clothes to women in need. Hot items: Patent brand, yellow and leopard print styles.


Bags/Accessories
Audacious, 4355 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., 614-799-8951, Dublin, www.audaciousfashions.com
This boutique carries jewelry, scarves and other accessories, but specializes in fun and affordable handbags, a nod to Owner Mary Curran’s philosophy that fashion is about a statement, not a price. “Every woman needs a handbag,” she says. “The handbag makes your outfit.” Curran’s new store opened in the Shoppes at River Ridge at the end of August – proof she’s found her niche. “I opened up thinking (Audacious) wouldn’t be that successful,” she recalls, “ but the demand is here.” Hot items: designer-inspired handbags, dinner purses.


Tailfeathers Accessories Boutique, 31 N. High St., New Albany, 614-855-1775, www.tailfeathersboutique.com
Described by owner Katherine Elliott as a “very casual, fun and non-intimidating mix of apparel and accessories,” this one-year-old boutique totes emerging, upscale designers. Elliott focuses on bags, belts and jewelry, but also offers “cute, fun and comfortable” novelty tops. “These are brands you aren’t going to find anywhere else,” she says. Hot items: Green Three organic cotton T-shirts, Meaningful Designs tees, and handbag hangers.

Jewelry
Beechwold Custom Jewelry, 4663 N. High St., Clintonville, 614-268-0012
Bone, stone, shell, gold, silver, platinum, precious and semi-precious: Whatever you want in jewelry can be found in this boutique, says Owner Gustavo Hoefs, who designs, cuts and creates his jewelry in-house. “It’s definitely a shop that’s totally tailored to the customer,” he says. Customers can request rings, necklaces, and bracelets – “whatever they want,” Hoefs says, “And I can do it in any style they want.” Hoefs also does what he calls “forensic jewelry.” Did you lose a favorite ring? Was a family heirloom stolen? Based on a photograph or drawing, Hoefs can reproduce any piece of jewelry. “Everything you want is right here,” he says.

Encircle, 30 N. State St., Westerville, 614-891-9123
Although Encircle is filled with pottery and glass, toiletries, stationary and clothing, it thrives on jewelry and art to wear, says Owner Amy Heath. “It’s not just art; it’s functional,” she says. The boutique focuses on environmentally-friendly materials, such as recycled jeans and paper, and fair-trade products. But its consciousness doesn’t end there. “A lot of our concentration is on community,” Heath says, adding that some of her profits go to local charities. The store recently expanded, allowing more room for variety. “We always have different stuff, so you’ll never find the same thing twice,” Heath says. Hot item: Harveys’ Seatbelt Bags.


Fall in Style
Fashion isn’t all about stepping out. Doesn’t your home deserve an updated fall style, too?

Found, 21 W. Olentangy St., Powell, 614-781-0000
This home fashions boutique is an eclectic mix of “found” products, each special and unique in its own way, says Mary Ernst, who, along with David Leino, owns “Found.” The recently opened store boasts home décor such as dishes, pottery, fixtures, candles and even body products. “Rose Bredel,” a floral and garden store within the boutique, offers pots, recycled Spanish vases, topiaries and other greenery, as well as fresh flowers and floral design and arrangements. Hot items: Francis Palmer pottery line, Astier dishes and Simon Pierce hand-blown glass.

Liza Martin is assistant editor of City Scene.