“It’s getting to be fall. People want to take a vacation from their tanks, they want to shop!” Mary Johnson, co-owner of the University Place boutique institution of three years, Cake, is speaking the truth, as I see it.

As those individuals who may be grabbing Starbucks just a couple of doors away from Cake after hitting the tanning beds see it, shopping’s not just about taking a vacation from tanks — it’s about back-to-school-style-mishap survival.

You can spot the young things wandering through Cake eyeing the boutique’s wares. You can see the wheels turning in their heads as they figure the perfect back-to-school shopping strategy, a way to look hot and trendy while still managing to keep some spending money on-hand for that Starbucks.

Some of these shoppers may be accompanied by their moms, who may be eyeing all the merchandise as well, alluringly styled by Susan Wheeler, an antique dealer who has an eye for putting together the perfect candle/tee/great shoe on antique table, just as she has an eye for creating great style combinations of clothes on her person, as well as in the shop.

“Your personal style is what works for you,” advises Wheeler, who also suggests “key pieces” — timeless items that can be mixed up with fun and funky trendy pieces. “That’s what makes a wardrobe work,” she explains.

So what key pieces do the two recommend for fall?

“Spend your money on a good pair of jeans,” recommends Johnson. Wheeler agrees with this strategy, and the two point to the wider-legged, sailor-like trouser jean as being The Shape for jeans for the fall.

While the stove pipe, straight leg, and even, to a degree, boot-cut jean remain basic staples you probably needn’t rush to dispose of, Johnson and Wheeler sing the merits of the wide-leg trouser because “it looks good on any body,” says Johnson.

The shape of the jean also works well with vintage-inspired pieces like the A-line jackets with gathered yokes and other sweet details that evoke something Hepburn, something ’40s, or something you can’t quite pin your finger on that you know is cool.

The women point to one corduroy jacket by Tulle that has that vintage feel (without the musty moth ball smell) and also point to the other key piece for the season: the sweater vest.

Before you get inspired to go out and buy one of those horrid appliquéd things like your Aunt Janie made you, you might want to revisit the sweater-vest thought: these are generally worn tighter, with the blouse coming out of the bottom, or layered with a long-sleeved, long bodied tee.

In this way, the style strategy Wheeler spoke of — key pieces, mixed up — works well with the other styles seen around the boutique. The same trousers can work well with the bling-embellished tattoo-art tees by Ed Hardy, or with one of the girlie-sweet Tulle button-up blouses with just a hint of tuxedo smocking. Or you can resurrect the long tees and tanks you have en masse, and pair them with a floaty casual sweater by Michael Stars.

Pair up any of those pieces with a denim pencil skirt — “The pencil skirt is always classic,” advises Johnson — for an entirely different look, though you can use the same vintage-inspired pumps the store carries for either look.

Going narrow with the legs — either in a legging with a pencil skirt or with the straight-leg jeans — gives more style combination options. “Boots are huge,” Johnson advises, “resurrect those boots from last year.”

The babydoll is still around — though this year’s styles are a bit less voluminous and a bit more refined — and the dress is still a keeper. “I can always sell a dress,” Johnson laughs and points to the idea of using an Ella Moss dress as the top piece. “It layers easily over denim.”

So what about the well-dressed dudes who just want to take UP hottie girls to Starbucks without embarrassing them?

Cake’s got them covered, too, though they’re slowly moving out of men’s jeans sales.

“For men, really, it’s all about getting a pair of good-fitting jeans and pairing them with a great belt (like the ones peeking out of a dresser drawer in Cake) and a retro, funky, vintage bar T-shirt by Ed Hardy,” Johnson recommends.

See a theme here? Key pieces, and throw in a few fun touches. Decide what you want your key pieces to be, based on what suits you.

“Your personal style should be about what works for you,” Johnson instructs.



[Cake, 3838 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.564.2253]