When we hear the word, “fashion,” we often automatically connote it with expensive designer pieces that aren’t very size-friendly to most women.
And to be honest, some of the pieces seen on the runway are downright bizarre and aren’t anything most folks would even think about wearing.
Emilie Casseday, owner of Blush Boutique in downtown Greeley, is working to change people’s perception of “fashion” by offering fun affordable clothing that is designed to fit sizes from small to tall and slim to shapely. With success at her Greeley store, Casseday is expanding with a new location in Fort Collins.
Many of the pieces Blush carries are priced below $50. Casseday works to find less form-fitting clothing to accommodate a range of body types. Casseday sources her inventory from the Fashion District out of Los Angeles, California.
“We try to keep our price point really reasonable. A lot of people, if they’ve not been in before, think that everything is going to be really expensive and nothing is going to fit because it’s a boutique. We aren’t out here to make you buy a $400 sweater — I don’t even want to wear a $400 sweater,” Casseday said, laughing. “Even though the sizes are small, medium and large, I try to get flowy pieces that look good on everybody. I try to find lots of different styles so that everyone can shop here.”
The store “first started out as a dream” in Casseday’s basement before transitioning into a brick-and-mortar shop.
“The heartbeat behind it is that I’ve always had a huge love for women in the community, and I love clothes and how could I do all of it together,” Casseday said. “The community piece just kind of happened along with it, which is so cool. I don’t feel that a lot of businesses have that component, but that’s what drives our store.”
With its open floor plan, big windows, crisp, white walls and ornate tin ceiling, Blush Boutique has been providing the feeling of an expensive SoHo boutique without the snobby sales associates and hefty price tags for nearly five years.
Over the years, many of Blush’s clients have become close friends. Casseday strives to welcome customers by name whenever she can.
“I just want it to be a safe place. I think a lot of women don’t like to shop or try on clothes. I mean, clothes are fun, but sometimes trying them on isn’t,” Casseday said. “So to have women come in and be able to find multiple pieces, you can just tell they are happy and that just gives me so much joy.”
That “safe space” doesn’t just apply to the shopping aspect of Blush. The store’s lush velvet couch has served as a symbol of comfort where Casseday has provided a listening ear, a hand to hold or a prayer raised up.
“It is crazy some of the stories of interactions I have had. I had a woman from the courthouse come over right after her son was convicted of murder. She was like, ‘I didn’t know where else to go, so I came here.’ So I got to pray with her and be with her in that moment,” Casseday said. “I keep getting the ‘I don’t know where else to go,’ so the olive couch is a sacred space. Women have come, and we’ve just talked on that couch. This is a space where if you need to come be, just come be.”
Casseday is expanding her runway of affordable fashion and welcoming atmosphere to a new location in Fort Collins.
“The new store has the same feeling, like the same design; it’s crazy. It’s painted gray, and actually, that store has the original crown molding. It’s so ornate and stunning,” Casseday said. “Fort Collins has a really cool boutique culture, and the perfect space came up. God has just lined it up perfectly.”
In addition to clothing, Blush carries unique and interesting gifts and accessories including jewelry, teapots, Christian books and journals, jams and candles. Many of the products are from local vendors and artisans, something that as a fellow small business owner is important to Casseday.
“I try to promote other small businesses through my small business,” she said.
Visit Blush
Blush Boutique is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 805 8th St., in downtown Greeley, between The Nerd Store and Mariposa Plants and Flowers.
The store is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Not a fan of in-person shopping? Blush offers online shopping at www.blushboutiqueco.com.
For more information, call (970) 888-3279.
