The down-Island towns may be known for their abundance of shops and restaurants, but it’s definitely worthwhile for all you “urban” dwellers in Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and Edgartown to make the drive up Island to check out a few unique boutiques in the other towns. Now is the time. Not only are a couple of these stores closing for the season soon, they all have great sales going on.
On the Cliffs
On the Cliffs is one of the Island’s best-kept secrets for those looking for great style as well as bargains. Adriana Ignacio, owner of Aquinnah’s On the Cliffs boutique (whose name is its location) has an eye for finding cool stuff at great prices. The tiny shop is packed with lots of fun and funky looks, as well as classic soft-as-cashmere ponchos, capes, and drapey sweaters from $30 to $68. If you prefer the real thing, there are Pia Rossini cashmeres for under $200.
The store also stocks a good selection of figure-shaping spandex leggings and more from a line called Lysee, which employee Sascha Wolodyka swears by. “I used to be a professional ice skater. I know my spandex,” she says.
While the fall looks are priced to sell, there’s also summer stock at an even better deal. The funky-chic Tsubo sandals are now 50% off. There’s a great selection of lighter-weight scarves on sale, and all of the jewelry is 30% off. The half-price rack out front holds lots of summer dresses, tops, and flowy lightweight pants. Check out the beautiful Dolma embroidered silk tunics ASAP. There’re only a few left, and at half off they’re going fast.
On the Cliffs also offers some of the best prices on Vineyard logo wear. Tees are now going for $9 to $12, heavyweight sweatshirts for $30. And, of course, given Ms. Ignacio’s great taste, the souvenir shirts all feature both high quality and stylish design.
Pandora’s Box
No trip to Menemsha is complete without a stop at Pandora’s Box, at the top of Basin Road leading to the beach. One of the chicest boutiques on the Island, it has a vast selection of fall looks right now, including lots of cashmere and denim by Hudson Jeans, DL1961, and more. Some of the popular brands carried by Pandora’s include Free People, Johnny Was, Hard Tail, Odd Molly, Koch, and Margaret O’Leary, among others. There’re still a lot of summer looks left at 50% off, as well as shoes and boots (all 20% to 50% off) from Bed Stu, Lucky, Dr. Scholl’s, and Corkees.
The jewelry case includes a number of designs by local jewelers, including gold, brass, and leather looks from Ivry Russillo and Jenny Gaynor’s handblown glass pieces.
It’s worth stopping by Pandora’s just to check out some great skincare and fragrance lines. The boutique carries a variety of products by Tocca, and vegan organic oils made from healing herbs and flowers by Lotus Love Beauty. Pandora’s also stocks the hip Tokyo Milk brand whose current Dark line features fragrances named Bulletproof, Arsenic, and Tainted Love in blends like earth + moss, crushed herbs, wild grass and Jasmin or absinth, vanilla salt, cut greens and crushed fennel. The fragrances are unique, subtle, and downright delicious.
Bananas
When it comes to Vineyard fun and funky style, few people have the look nailed better than Judy Hartford, owner of Bananas on State Road in West Tisbury. The cozy former home is full of all the essentials for the look that can be described as boho chic with a flair for the feminine. Sort of Victorian meets street waif, meets prairie, meets gypsy. You get the idea. Well, maybe not. Best to see for yourself. Check out Bananas’ selection of dresses, skirts, tops, and pants, in high-quality fabrics, rich in texture and pattern. And bring the guys with you. Men now have a room of their own at Bananas, full of not only casually stylish sweaters, shirts, jackets, and more (from CP Shades, S. Moritz, etc.), but also lots of belts, wallets, and other accessories, and some of the coolest men’s shoes to be found on Island.
Which brings us to shoes. Bananas is known for its vast selection of shoes and boots for women, which all pair comfort with high style. Imagine a pair of heels or wedges in which you can actually chase down a runaway dog — or cow, or child — and you get the idea of what’s to be found at this West Tisbury gem of a store. Lines include Fly London, Trippen, Gentle Soles, Camper, Re-Mix, Gidigio, Softinos, and more. Summer shoes are all half off right now. Bananas’ current sale also includes summer and last year’s fall clothing from 30% to 50% off, and all jewelry is 20% off.
Go ahead, spend some of that hard-earned summer cash. You deserve something special for making it to the other side of the seasonal crunch.
On the Cliffs, 23 Aquinnah Circle, Aquinnah, is open through Columbus Day. Currently the store is open every day from 10 to 5, but check their Facebook page as the hours may change. 508-645-3660.
Pandora’s Box, 4 Basin Road, Chilmark, will be open through Columbus Day, every day from 11 to 5. 508-645-9696.
Bananas, 697 State Road, West Tisbury, is now open year round. Through Columbus Day they’ll be open every day from 10 to 6. Call ahead for days and hours after that. 508-696-5939.