Pink Pepper Boutique: A Clotheshorse Of Two Different Colors

With warmer temperatures around the corner, now is the time to find some new spring pieces to add to your closet. Whether for a formal work environment or a Friday night out, one Court Street boutique offers one-stop shopping for both sexy and subdued clothing.

At Pink Pepper, located at 201 Court Street, inventory is separated into two categories: Conservative choices are considered 'pink' and more flirty options are the 'pepper,' explains owner Nikki Johnson, who stocks her store with contemporary designers, including BCBG, Elie Tahari and more. 

"We have 'pink' looks perfect for a conference, and we have short dresses and cute skinny jeans for grabbing a drink," she says. "Often the same customer will come in for a corporate look that's very 'pink' at the beginning of the week and then return to get something a little more 'pepper' for an important date that weekend."

From formal business presentations to engagement parties, Pink Pepper staff pride themselves on styling customers head to toe.

"We'll get women coming back with pictures of themselves at the event they were shopping for," she says. "It's nice to see them so happy and know that we helped them feel confident that day."

Johnson is also full of suggestions for how to transition pieces from day to night, a common dilemma for women who work late and want to stretch their wardrobes.

Here are three tips from Pink Pepper to take a look from the office to outrageous:

One dress is transformed by two different sets of accessories

"Take a dress that fits you well and pair it with a cardigan and flats for a business casual outfit," she says. "Then, if you switch out the cardigan for a short leather jacket and boots, suddenly you're ready to go out but you don't look overdone."

A sheer blouse can work a double shift

Sheer blouses, which are currently very on trend, are also an easy wardrobe item to transition from day to evening, Johnson says.

"For work, you would wear a sheer blouse with a tank underneath for an opague effect and perhaps tuck it into your pants," she says. "But when you want to go out, you would remove the tank and just have a nice lacy bra underneath. The prints on the blouse and the slight shimmer of the fabric create a very sexy silhouette while still being covered up."

Don't underestimate the power of color

So many women default to a basic black dress in their work environments. The good news is that's easy to spice up for after-work activities or simple variety. 

"We have a lot of customers come in for a fitted black dress that they can wear in meetings; it's a very powerful look," says Johnson. "But the same black dress can be livened up with a hot pink belt and it then feels completely different. Add to that a matching fuschia clutch and you're ready to go."

Pink Pepper boutique will be hosting a Whiting & Davis trunk show with drinks and hors d'oeuvres on April 27 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.