Dots (140 Main St.)
Your primary concern at Dots will not be whether or not you’ll find something actually worth buying, but what to choose. You can find a perfect outfit head to toe, and most of it from the sale rack, too. Insider tip: it seems that pretty much everything in the store is on clearance, including those quilted Ugg knock-offs you’ve been eyeing recently.
Choice pieces include $9 silver high-heeled boots, a $7 sparkly knit cardigan and tacky 70s prints that would make Emilio Pucci jealous. The $5 tanks in a variety of Skittles-inspired colors shouldn’t be missed, as well as the extensive collection of loungewear emblazoned with inspiring statements such as “Love 4 Life.”
Accessories are without a doubt the best section at Dots: gold scrunchies at the counter; bangles, $1.50 each; rhinestone-bejeweled tights, $6; and a devastatingly perfect pair of fake gold and fake bling earrings on sale for $3 that had both of us seriously considering piercing our ears. Not to mention the extensive handbag collection that comes in a variety of seasonally appropriate metallic colors, some of which featured Fig Newton-sized diamonds and metal studs that make it clear you’re ready to rock.
Dots is an A+ choice for Studio 54 Senior Cocktails gear. But be warned: your lip gloss may be poppin,’ but the girl across the room might be wearing the exact same dress—the horror! But, unlike at prom, at least neither of you spent more than the price of a dinner at Athenian.
Wild Bill’s (1003 Newfield St.)
Officially named “Wild Bill’s Wonderful World of Wild and Crazy Things,” this nostalgia emporium lives up to its impressive moniker. As you drive up to the colorfully decorated building (complete with a rainbow VW Bug sticking out of the building), it’s clear that Wild Bill’s is a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
Although we were looking for Cocktails gear, Wild Bill’s is better known for its collection of obscure and discontinued merchandise. Especially eclectic finds included a rack of reasonably priced sunglasses, a variety of model cars and trains, Smurf roller skates and a barrel of assorted 1980s stuffed animals (3 for only $10).
The collection of 1970s liberal-arts professor-inspired blazers, some of which would be just as comfortable debuting at an early 1980s homecoming dance, was by far the standout section. Plaid is back, in a big way. The women’s clothing section was lacking—aside from a sequined black and silver evening gown, there wasn’t much that appealed.
More memorable was the selection of outdoor accessories, including a variety of old-school lanterns and toboggans (not to mention the giant marlin mounted on the wall near the back of the store). There were also a bunch of enviable metal lunchboxes, several old board games on sale for $5 and a meticulously organized suspenders section that looked promising.
All in all, Wild Bill’s didn’t have what we were looking for, but if your Low Rise is lacking, a Lava Lamp phone ($25) could be exactly what you’re after. And the plastic jewelry with real bugs inside was pretty cool. We hear Japanese beetle bling is so in for summer.
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