SHOPPING

Easy, Breezy Shopping at Coppola's of Watch Hill

Get stylish for summer

So Rhode Island Magazine ·

Nothing says summer like strolling the waterfront shops in the delightful village of Watch Hill in Westerly. Always on the lookout for an unusual and effervescent spot to satisfy my shopping whimsy, I totally struck gold recently when I visited Coppola’s of Watch Hill. The exceptional seaside views at Coppola’s are definitely primo, but equally notable was the giant wow factor I felt when I stepped inside this trendy and fabulous boutique.

I’m not one to shy away from color; just ask anyone who ever visited my first house that was boldly washed in turquoise, fuchsia and apple greens. Coppola’s immediately satisfied my passion for color with their thoughtfully arranged displays of eye pleasing, no-nonsense all occasion dresses, crisp summer slacks, yummy cotton totes and handbags and some of the most comfy-chic flats I’ve seen in ages.

Manager Katie Lombard co-owns the store with her mother Jean Murano, who can be found close by as she is also co-owner of JC’s of Watch Hill. Together they have many years of retail experience as they sail into their third season at Coppola’s. There is definitely a nautical feel inside this bright and airy boutique mixed with an enjoyable combination of vibrant and neutral pieces lending to the store’s relaxed and playful vibe. I fell in love with the large assortment of great summer dresses that could be worn comfortably to the office or taken up a few notches with their glam assortment of accessories for an evening out on the town.

Katie is bubbly and easygoing but doesn’t hover on the floor unless you would like her spot-on fashion advice. “Coppola’s has some very unique lines that no one else in the area carries. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we can usually find it for you within a quick turnaround,” she says happily. I did notice the cool lines such as Julie Brown, Trina Turk, Melly M, Leota and Lucy Love because these collections looked just as stylish on as they did on the rack. Many of the fabrics were perfect travel pieces boasting a super soft feel that didn’t wrinkle. The lines all worked effortlessly together which made shopping for a few key pieces a breeze and you can’t beat Coppola’s price tags. I was easily able to pair up some fabulous linen pants with a beachy-keen blouse, along with a cool summer skirt and a couple of key accessories for under $125!

“Our goal is to have customers find one or two items for their wardrobe and then come back again. We’ve priced our collections to fit our everyday, local shopper’s budget, that’s why the lines we carry are so popular,” Katie shares. Now that I’ve found some sensational finds that I know will be my go-to pieces in my summer wardrobe I head right over to the fun and sassy selection of Oka-B thong sandals and ballet flats. Some are adorned with trinkets and bling, the perfect way to show off those pretty pedicures while other styles are more low-key. And did I mention each pair comes with a two-year warranty? A mix and match line of fashion jewelry, scarves and wraps, cute summer hats and belts are also available and will complement your new outfit or take pieces from your existing wardrobe to the next level.

Coppola’s also carries a fresh home goods line featuring beautiful placemats, striking trays, coasters and pretty dish towels. These are simple ways to freshen up your own décor, give the perfect hostess gift for those summer barbecues or to welcome the new family into your neighborhood. If you’re a lover of great bags, head to Coppola’s right away because they carry the popular brand Big Buddha. These animal-friendly (vegan leather!), stylish bags work for women of all ages and won’t break the bank. They also happen to be popping up on the arms of Hollywood’s A-List peeps. And here’s some great news for those of you who would like to experience a Coppola’s shopping spree but might not be able to head to Watch Hill anytime soon. If you visit their website you can shop their merchandise online, year round. Katie has pulled out all the stops to make shopping easy-breezy and extremely affordable and if you’re not exactly sure how to mix and match styles and color combos, no worries. She will gladly make recommendations that will fit your personality and your pocketbook.

Summer’s here and the living is easy, so get yourself out to beautiful Watch Hill and see for yourself what all the fuss is about at Coppola’s. And hey, you never know, you just might bump into Taylor Swift when you’re shopping.

Coppola’s of Watch Hill, 97 Bay Street Westerly 348-5988, www.shopcoppolas.com. Open April-October

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