Prepping for Sweater Season

As the weather changes, so too do the mannequins: Their T-shirts and shorts transform into sweaters and pantsuits. Pedestrians pass , look at the displays in the window, and ponder their autumnal outfits.

Fall is here, and so too are the new fashions.

“We never know what to expect,” says Kelly Pezze, director of retail operations at Ambiance Boutique, which has locations in Oakmont and in Regent Square. “But we have a nice list of regular consigners.”

These consigners live across the United States, and some ship vestments from as far away as France. Pezze estimates that 25 consigners are “really good,” both regular and dependable, but contributions come in all forms.

Just as the leaves turn orange on the sidewalks of Allegheny River Boulevard, Ambiance starts to cycle its stock. Fall means a new generation of handbags in every shape and variety. Because the boutique only sells women’s clothing, stylish footwear becomes a big seller. “Everybody waits for us to get our boots in,” Pezze says. She herself starts to sport stylish boots in September and continues to flaunt them until spring.

Each season is different, and vintage clothing doesn’t precisely follow mainstream fashion trends. But Pezze and her staff have started to stock up on chunky knits and cashmere sweaters, which already adorn many of the Ambiance racks—and she expects them to sell fast. Not to mention furs, which are generally more affordable in a vintage shop.

Ambiance is no ordinary boutique: The store raises thousands of dollars for the shelter annually, which helped house and rehabilitate more than 1,500 people last year.

Still, the boutique doesn’t take just anything. Unlike a Goodwill or Salvation Army, the staff is discriminating in its taste, and “items in demand” frequently change. Summer items are no longer accepted, and the store is particularly interested in sterling jewelry, St. John knits and designer handbags. As their website puts it: “There’s also no such thing as too much Chanel!”

While the Lawrenceville branch of Ambiance closed in April, the Oakmont and Regent Square branches continue to thrive. The larger Oakmont branch sells furniture as well. The one-room Regent Square store sells only women’s clothing, because of space constraints and because, well, it sells better.

“We have a lot of fun pieces, too,” says Pezze, pointing to a hat covered in orange feathers. “Some trends just come and go.”