Lovely small boutique with great style. Clean beautiful space, well curated items, friendly vibe and attention to detail. read more

Barbara Bowman Boutique - Women's Clothing Near Me - Ojai, California

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I lived in Ojai for many years and although I owned my own shop, I enjoyed shopping at Barbara Bowman. Unfortunately, all of the beautiful clothing that I purchased has been lost in transit from Scotland to California and I am hoping to replace my gorgeous collection via online shopping. Is this possible? Thank you. With love to Barbara from June Browning. ej.browning@yahoo.com read more

What's not to love - whether its chatting with Sol, as was our visit last Thursday, or trying on most everything in the store - we return every visit to Ojai. The styles, the selection, the fabrics and unique designs are extraordinary - as are Sol and Barbara. Thanks once again for your hospitality and the pleasure perusing your boutique provides. Stimulating the Ojai economy is a joy at Barbara Bowman Boutique and next week you'll find us wearing your designs in NYC, Florida and San Diego... after that Paris, London, Sicily and beyond! Love you guys - from 3 of your favorite customers who take your fashions traveling with us wherever we go and have for at least 2 decades! read more

Elitist vibes going on here. The lady who runs it will say rude things to customers and disguise it as "customer service". Complete disregard for some customers and harsh prejudice toward others which ruins the whole shopping experience and makes you want to just leave. read more

Love this store! Unlike other boutiques where I have made bad purchases and never wore the item more than once, the sales people here have been honest to tell me that the fit or look wasn't right for me. As a result, every piece I have purchased at this shop over the years I have worn to death. To me it is refreshing that someone cares enough about how you look in the outfit to say, No, that's not for you. Thank you!! read more

My mom had this to say about an experience at Barbara Bowman while we were on vacation for a week in Ojai: I had a shocking experience at this clothing store. I was staying across the street at the Oaks at Ojai, and a fellow visitor said there was a very good sale at Bowman's. After a hike, I stopped by to check it out. First, I was totally ignored by the person who was waiting on a customer, for a very long time. It is a very small shop, and not hard to see new people arrive. Then I looked at the racks she noted as having sale items. I was looking at a shirt to see how it was imprinted, and she came over and said, "Oh, you would need an Extra Extra Large in that." Now, I am admittedly chubby, not fat, and I wear a 12-14. So normally, I can wear Medium to Large depending on the manufacturer. I was so shocked, I did not realize what she was doing. I have never, ever in my life needed to wear even an Extra Large, let alone XXL. Then she grabbed out of my hands two of the three items I had decided to try on, and put them back on the rack saying, "Oh, those will be way too tight on you, and the one you have in your hand, I don't think a Medium will do for you. I tried it on and did not like the cut of the hem, and said so when I came out. So she "graciously" said, "Well, you won't find anything unless you look at the good stuff." This shop is very overpriced and the sales prices are about 1/10th of the original prices. Please note, I was very casually dressed, having been on a hike, and I wasn't pencil thin, and she probably didn't think that I had money that she would have liked me to spend since I asked about the sale. Whether it was classism or sizeism, it certainly was not professional or very smart business ethics. I have told everyone I know about the incident, and made special note to tell the staff at the Oaks. I was informed that the person who did this was not just a sales clerk, but Barbara Bowman herself and that they have received many similar complaints about her personally, for the same rudeness, and snobbery. Browser Beware, unless you wear a size 1, and unless you come in radiating "I have Money" you may get similar treatment. Other sales people there, I have heard, are very nice. read more

I think anyone who received bad service here was just having a bad day themselves and mis-read Barbara or any of her sales people. She is one of the most genuinely kind, honest people I've met. She has amazing style and sells really great pieces. Though it does seem to be for a slightly older woman I still find great things there and I'm 32 so I think it's for everyone! Love this place. read more

Sorry the person above had such a bad experience. Barbara Bowman, in my mind and several of my friends,are so glad to have there, even if she's inOjai and we're in LA. Come here twice a year to buy a few things to round out my spring-summer and fall-winter wardrobes. She's the only person i know who carries fabulous, exciting clothes for women over 50. I have always found her judgements extremely honest, telling me when something works for me and when it doesn't. I am a size 12 and "have a stomach," by the way. There's no one on LA's westside, where i live that carries clothes so sophisticated yet casual - and that cost far less than the rest of what's available in sophisticated styles at other stores. I always find fabulous things when I go there. Karen B read more

Sorry but I have to stick up for Barbara Bowman and her beautiful shop. I have always been treated well there. The first time I walked in, Barbara came up to me and said "just try this on- I think it needs someone tall like you to wear and it is going to look great on you". Well, normally I hate that, but she was right- it looked great on me. i would never have given it a second glance. It is great to have someone who knows her clothes and doesn't want you to be disappointed by trying something on that she knows will not fit you and will perhaps make you discouraged about trying on other things. She let me look but offered great suggestions- which I took. I was staying at the Oaks too and had been out in the blast furnace sun and was wearing warm ups, running shoes, and a tank top the first time I went in. They know the Oaks women- we all wear the tell tale key bracelet on our wrists. They didn't care. Thats the thing about Ojai- they never assume anything about anyone. There are plenty of unassuming gazillionaires walking around at the Oaks and elsewhere in town. Barbara was extremely kind, not pushy and I spent .... and spent some more. It was fun- they mailed my clothes home to me and the service I received from Lauren and Barbara was wonderful. I go there every year and look forward to it. If you are looking for something fresh, beautifully made, and well tailored, Barbara Bowman is the place to go in Ojai. Sign me as a big fan from Portland Oregon. (by the way, if you are ever in Portland, go to Joy's- she loves her customers and you can't help but love her back- her clothes are beautiful) read more

The energy in this shop is harsh and anything but friendly. The owner, Barbara, poked her nose into the air when she saw me, but then allowed me to look around. She clearly disapproved of my mother, though. Her eyes raked over my mother's thin figure as if she were dismantling her piece by piece. Barbara hurried to my mother's side, and told her very quietly, "I don't think we have anything for you here." Wow, I guess there is some imaginary standard that customers must live up to, and the owner knows whether you qualify in the instant you walk through the door. Brrr. read more

This small unique wonderful boutique has dressed me for years Barbara Bowman herself is such a fantastic fashion person she can put clothes together for everybody and every body.Her jewelry that she hand makes and pick up the pieces in India for the components are absolutely amazing. read more

I go there every time in Ojai and not only love her clothes, scarves, etc. but am very well treated. Yes, it is expensive, but her clothes are beautifully made and last for years, always stylish. read more

I have never in my life been treated so disrespectfully twice in one day by anyone. Especially who would have imagined in the beautiful spa town in Ojai? Barbara was rude, snobbish, arrogant and spoke down to me as if I was ignorant in her tacky overpriced shop. I was negatively profiled as someone from outside the area due to my accent. Little did she know I am a multimillionaire and could have bought her stupid little shanty of a shop...not even a stylish boutique as she believes. How dare she treat anyone so disrespectfully. You are not well received in Ojai and many people can't stand your ignorance. And then she had the NERVE to call me out in a restaurant. How rude of her! Who does she think she is??? Such behavior should not have to be tolerated by anyone. She should have been kicked out of the restaurant. Your snotty attitude will catch up to you and I wish you nothing but the very worst. read more

In November 2012, I shopped at Barbara Bowman and bought a pair of Lior Paris slacks (for $167) which, according to the salesperson, were fabulous. Upon returning home, wore them once, then laundered. After carefully checking the label, which indicated both washing and drying (low heat) were okay, I did both - with the result that the pants shrank and are now unwearable. I checked the label again to make sure I hadn't misread it and the only other mark I could find was what appeared to be a '9' in blue ink written on the label - no clue what it meant. With that as background, I wrote to the shop (no email address that I could find) to let them know of the problem. After several weeks of no reply, I received a phone message asking me to call them back. I did, but the person who had called wasn't in. However, the person on the phone was aware of my letter and assured me I would get a call back the following week. I'm still waiting . . . Bottom line, don't expect help when you run into a problem with any of the Barbara Bowman merchandise - especially if you're not a local resident. read more

I have been to Barbara Bowman's twice and both experiences were excellent. She started by saying-" I won't let you try on anything that won't look good on you" and she was right! During both trips I got several pieces that were well-coordinated, along with a scarf and a signature necklace. Most items, I would not have chosen for myself. I get compliments every time i wear her pieces. It's expensive, but instead of me having mismatched pieces from Ross or Macy's that I have picked out myself, I now have a well-coordinated wardrobe that I can wear to work and out on social occasions. read more

I had heard about the Barbara Bowman store in Ojai from a friend. She knew I was packing for a trip to Africa and raved about the Lior pants. I live outside of Philadelphia, so I called the store and spoke to a very friendly sales associate ( I think her name was Rosceie?) She went out of her way to find my size, and immediately had them sent by UPS to my home. I got them the 2nd day, in time for my trip! I love the pants, they fit perfectly and I will be sure to order more from The Barbara Bowman store! Thank you!! read more

Upon entering this store one can feel the negative attitude and energy. No one says 'hello' or expressed any pleasantries. The owner and sales personnel have bad attitudes and an are arrogant! My wife and I were ignored in this minuscule space of sale. Although The merchandise seemed nice, I wouldn't spend a penny in this woman's store. Shop elsewhere where they appreciate your business. read more