Were you a bell-bottom aficionado? Have you ever teased your hair or fantasized about glitter eye shadow? Do you enjoy showing off your grill? Is there a spray-tan-stained belly shirt in your closet keeping an old pair of UGG boots company? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then jinny (844 N High St) is not the right fashion boutique for you. But if you're into quality, classic pieces with a trendy twist, you'll fit right in.

Owner Jin H. Fillinger explains, "Our aesthetic is an updated classic look with clean lines and a real focus on fabrication and construction. We don't encourage fashion victims." She says, "We're more about the understated – the woman who is confident and who is dressing for herself; we're about the woman who loves fashion, and who wants to feel empowered by what she's putting on her body."

Jin's best fashion advice is to "keep it simple." But, with that being said, jinny is not a static environment either. Lines represented by jinny, such as Thread Social, Willow, Rose, and Hussy, are always pushing the envelope.

Just look in the store window and you'll find a perfect example of how what's hot this season fits into jinny's perspective. On display is a bright, neon yellow cardigan paired down by a black and white striped tank dress and a subtle belt. Jin says, "It's not too conceptual. It's realistic runway to reality look. By adapting the season's trends into your own wardrobe, you're going to feel current without feeling overdone."

Another confidence booster is the comfort of the clothing jinny sells. Jin knows that if a piece looks overly complicated or downright scary, the purchase is not going to be worth it. But when you feel comfortable, you feel more assertive. The longevity of the timeless pieces also makes you feel confident that you're not being bamboozled into paying for a piece that’s going to wear out within the next few months.

Jin herself has a distinctive eye and the credentials to back it up. She has had experience in fashion journalism, styling marketing, public relations, and television production for top-name companies. She draws from New York and L.A., will soon be pulling from Paris, and has aspirations to branch out to Southeast Asia and up-and-coming countries like Scandinavia.

Among other pieces in jinny's spring line are sophisticated jewelry pieces by Italian maker Solani, hard-to-find dresses by Parisian Heimstone, tongue-and-cheek novelty apparel from Thailand-based Sretsis, and unique footwear from Tashkent. Jin does not buy entire collections, but rather is item-driven, selecting only the best.




And the store has heart too. jinny doesn't believe in traditional advertising. Instead, it relies on word of mouth and exposure through partnerships with local charities and organizations like the March of Dimes, the National Eating Disorder Association, and others, all of which jinny pairs to raise money through special fundraising events.

To read more about jinny's clout in the fashion world click here.

by Morgan Baughman