I've bought two cocktail dresses from Mint Julep, and both are among my favorite pieces.
For somebody who gets dressed up often, I'm constantly looking for great dresses with something unique about them, and this great little boutique has stepped up to the plate more than once.
My first experience was a little over a year ago. I came in with a particular style of dress in mind - something sexy and maybe a little edgy, but still feminine - and I needed it right away. I was browsing, pulling dresses off the racks (I tend to go for the try-on-a-hundred, find-one-perfect-one shopping approach), and finding a great variety of styles and colors. I happened to mention that I was shopping for a particular event (for that night, no less!), and the ladies told me that they had just gotten a bunch of brand new dresses in... then they grabbed the unopened boxes and started pulling dresses they thought I might like based on what I already had in my hind. Lo and behold, they actually had a dress EXACTLY like the one I had in mind - a black, rouched, strapless corsetted dress with a princess neckline. But then, they found one that was even better - a gorgeous teal and silver, Nanette Lepore dress, with amazing beadwork on the straps, bodice, and hem. (http://www.bluefly.com/Nanette-Lepore-teal-floral-silk-%27Cleopatra-Slip%27-dress/cat20198/300499801/detail.fly?referer=ca_shopping&cm_mmc=ca_shopping-_-na-_-womens_dresses_day-_-300499801) It was a tough choice, but I ultimately went with the teal - and got a ton of compliments. Also, Gossip Girl put it on Serena a couple of months later... I felt so ahead of the trends! I've worn it often enough to get the price-per-wear down to something justifiable.
The next time I needed a great dress, I came right back. Although I didn't have the same out-of-the-box experience, I got the same friendly help from the girls working (and some other clientele, too!), narrowing it down from a good 15 dresses to just a few, and finally deciding on a teal, strapless, silk number with a shirred bodice by Shoshanna that was simple and extremely flattering in cut but with a really interesting textured fabric (http://www.revolveclothing.com/DisplayProduct.jsp?product=SHOS-WD36&c=Shoshanna&d=1&sc=Dresses).
Ok, so I like teal dresses, but Mint Julep has a rainbow of colors and a range of styles... yes, it's pricey, but for that special occasion or for treating yourself, it's a great little place. read more