Originally published in the Fall 2019 issue of Spoke+Blossom

Two Skirts is like a candy store of fashion. Giant bubblegum-pink chairs flank the double doors to this women’s boutique on Main Street in Telluride, Colorado. Inside, beautiful floor-to-ceiling displays outline the perimeter of the store, laid out in color-coordinated sections of apparel and accessories. Upon entering, one’s hit with the sweet scents of peonies, perfume and beauty products and the overwhelming notion of, “Where to begin?”

The idea of this Telluride dress shop began almost 20 years ago to fill a niche for boutique shopping in this tiny resort town in southwest Colorado. It’s a place where mothers and daughters, even grandmothers and granddaughters, can find their favorite contemporary brands as well as exclusive selections from indie designers. In a finely-curated selection of almost everything head-to-toe, Two Skirts can dress both the Telluride local and a visitor whose luggage didn’t make it on the plane. The 1,200-square foot space is stocked with a splendid assortment for shoppers young to old — from jeans and tees to cocktail dresses and cashmere. It’s a store that does not follow the minimalist boutique esthetic, but rather utilizes every inch of space with choices galore.

The hanging bars are full of dresses, blouses and skirts on white wooden hangers, separated by shelves loaded up with luxe cashmere sweaters. On the highest tiers are unique handbags and totes from around the world, and the bottom steps display shoes, boots and sneakers. There are two impressive denim walls from which an assortment of jean styles can be pulled based on one’s body type or one’s request for what’s new. In the middle of the store is a square jewelry counter with drawers that pull outwards so customers can help themselves.

The boutique offers personalized customer service, but also encourages freedom to explore the unlocked jewelry and sunglasses cases on their own, as well as try on makeup and beauty products. Shoes on display are always common sizes so almost anyone can slip one on. Up front sits leather arm chairs and lifestyle magazines for the waiting husbands, friends and kids to have a seat, read a glossy, charge one’s phone or meet up with friends. There’s an air of ease and friendliness that keeps customers coming back.

They come back to see what’s new and different each season, to say hello to the women of Two Skirts, to meet and catch up with family and friends or to escape for a little personalized shopping experience. They come from all over: locals from down the street, over the mountain passes from neighboring towns, and vacationers and second-homeowners from around the globe. Some call ahead to have a dressing room stocked and ready for their shopping ease. Some call from around the country asking for a “pick box” when they can’t make it to Telluride. If one can’t get to Two Skirts, Two Skirts clothes can go anywhere in boxes customized to the client’s needs, from special occasion dressing to simply next season’s must-have styles.

Two Skirts has focused on bringing friendly, fresh and feminine fashion to Telluride since 2001. And while it is not a candy store, there is a jar of pink sweets on the counter, and shoppers leave with a pink glossy bag full of treats.

The Sweet Two Skirts