Don’t bother setting foot in Local Motion if you’ve only got 20 minutes to spare: This tightly-packed little boutique is brimming with goodies that deserve your full attention. The rails are literally bursting with garments, and it can be a bit of a struggle to wrestle an item of interest out of its spot. But wrestle you should, as many of these duds will have you drooling on sight.

The shop occupies a long, narrow space littered with shoeboxes, bright scarves, and oversized handbags, and resembles nothing so much as the ransacked closet of a quirky, chic, wealthy artist.  A few round racks dot the floor, but the bulk of the goods line the walls, tightly packed but loosely organized. Several items from a single brand are often clumped together, but items may also be grouped by color family.  Best plan of attack is to start at the front of the shop, and just look at everything.  You’re likely to come across solid sweaters in hip silhouettes from Tulle, universally flattering printed mesh wrap tops, wildly patterned Kokoon dresses, chic sweater coats, high quality cotton tees in every color imaginable, and about 100 unboring versions of the Little Black Dress.  High quality fabrics abound, everything from thick-knit cottons to fine wools, cashmere, shantung, and linen.  Hunt and peck, browse and gather.

Oversized PVC totes, Big Buddha handbags, and bird-themed wallets from Lavishy crowd any available shelf space.  A handful of shoe styles peek out from the front display windows, and stacks of Miss Mooz and Nicole shoeboxes perch beneath a round table that sits about halfway back in the store’s cramped space.  Just as a small run of sizes is offered for each garment, the shop doesn’t typically stock multiples in shoes: If you see a pair of darling suede shooties from J Shoes in your size, better snap them up.

Neither of the hastily curtained dressing rooms features a mirror, so you’re forced to re-enter the store proper to check fit and figure flattery.  Be prepared for commentary from the well-meaning but occasionally overbearing shop staff on each and every garment.

Garments are reasonably priced for their level of quality, but that puts most of them in the $100-$150 range, so be sure to rifle through the sale racks at the back of the shop for some bona-fide bargains. 

With a constantly rotating stock of beautifully constructed and fabulously quirky clothes and accessories, Local Motion is a best bet for outfitting your inner artist.