While in the Coachella valley with all kinds of things to do, a shopping adventure had to been on our schedule. El Paseo is the Coachella Valley’s answer to ‘Rodeo Drive”. On this fabulous day, Norman ( my hubs ) and I headed over to this long road just full of boutiques, restaurants and a few chain stores. Since there were so many things to see in a short amount of time, I actually did not use my black belt in shopping on this day. What I did do though is a lot of window shopping, walking, and enjoying the beautiful day and wonderful fresh air.
El Paseo is actually a long boulevard that parallels Hwy 111 in the town of Indian Wells, and is just across from the town of Palm Desert. It only took 10 minutes to get there from the Renaissance Hotel & Spa Resort in Indian Wells where we were staying. Remember, I told you in the last post that there are 7 little towns one right after another in the Coachella Valley.
I love people watching and believe me that most of the ladies shopping were dressed to the nines. I don’t mean dresses and high heels, but I mean designer $300 jeans, $1000 sweaters, $5,000 plus handbags $1,000 workout outfits and so on…. Catch my drift???? I know these pieces because of research designers every single day.
I decided to wear my Coachella inspired look (boots, jeans, and floppy hat) that was both comfortable and stylish, so I felt like I fit in pretty good. Check out the first photo…..I even got a few looks. There were a few men around, but frankly I think they were checking out all of the babes….and most not that young. After all, most that can afford upscale shopping are not young. One benefit of aging is hopefully we have a little more money in our pockets!! So, for you younger girls, it is ok to wish, pray and dream, but if you get it all too soon with no sweat equity, then you can’t appreciate it as much as you would later.
Most of the stores were upscale boutiques, mixed in with a few of my favorite chain stores (J Crew and Anthropologie) and anchored by a Saks Fifth Ave, Louis Vuitton and a lot more upscale brand named stores. Needless to say, take your credit cards or do what we did and have a great lunch, a cup of afternoon jo and love the one you’re with. That might just be yourself, which is ok too!!
SHOP MY COACHELLA STYLE
Splendid dress/tunic | Destroyed jeans and more budget friendly here | Stuart Weitzman over the knee boots and more budget friendly here | Felt floppy hat | Gigi NY crossbody/clutch bag | Dior ‘So Real’ sunglasses and a great look a like here | Kendra Scott TristanNeck cuff, earrings, bracelet |
Fashion Tidbits: My top is actually a dress. It was a little on the cool side, so I made it a top by adding a cute Ralph Lauren belt and blousing the dress over the belt. When thinking about short casual dresses, remember that they might be a great top or tunic as well, making it very versatile. The trend that keeps going is the destroyed jeans. Not too long ago, I read that you shouldn’t wear ripped jeans if you are over 35 years old. WELL, I immediately wrote to them and told them that they were totally out of touch with todays woman!! This was a well respected publication!!! There were about 40 over 40 women blasting their fashion advice!!! I loved it!!
The other spring trends going on here are my over the knee boots or wear the latest in spring suede booties. Of course I would not come to the Coachella Valley with out my blush felt floppy hat.
Check out some of my favorite spring booties below!!
