Made from bamboo, the Chalet tunic and leggings modeled by Amira Sabbagh (left) are both stylish and environmentally friendly. A wide-brimmed straw hat by Style 101 adds a playful touch to the Just Jill cotton dress worn by Suzie Velasquez (right). Photos by Nikita Shokhov
BY MOLLY BRUSH
When Lorraine Hanna returned to her hometown of Bloomington in 1995 after 15 years in Hawaii as a buyer for Maui Clothing Company, she was frustrated with the town’s limited clothing options. “I couldn’t find clothes in Bloomington I wanted to wear,” Hanna says.
That’s when she decided to use her experience to try to remedy the situation. Hanna’s first venture was a women’s clothing store called It’s in the Bag, which was located on Covenanter Drive until it closed 10 years ago. Then, in 2013, she opened Bloomington Clothing Company in the space formerly occupied by A Different Drummer at 2664 E. 2nd St. Geared toward women 35 and older, Bloomington Clothing Company carries apparel that Hanna describes as “comfortable and easy.”
“It’s easy care and easy wear and easy to pack,” she says.
Most of the brands the store carries are made in the United States from natural materials. The collection includes moderately priced lines such as Jams World, Honest Cotton, Chalet, Casual Studios, and Just Jill, as well as higher-end lines like Johnny Was, Grizas, and Saga.
Because Hanna buys only one of each size per item, “You don’t see yourself coming and going all over Bloomington,” she says.
In addition to clothing, the boutique sells jewelry, scarves, hats, and gifts. This fall, it will begin carrying shoes by Spanish footwear company Pikolinos.
Hanna aims to offer colorful, fun, expressive fashion that her customers can adapt to their lifestyles. “My motto is ‘your life, your style, your store,’” she says.
