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Why do we, avid shoppers, regularly make
the three-hour journey to Chicago through tolls and traffic every season only
to pay a 6 percent sales tax and fight the horde of tourists on every street
corner? Because Chicago has what Madison does not — an entire avenue dedicated
to fashion.

Sure, Madison has Urban Outfitters, BOP
and now American Apparel, but diversity is scarce, and when 10 or more girls
are walking down State Street in identical outfits, something is amiss.

For the fashion conscious, the lack of
variety can be annoying. And, although Urban and AA have made an attempt to
follow organic, earth friendly trends, they fail to deliver the environmental
apparel many desire.

But Madison resident Kristin Wild decided
to take matters into her own hands.

A University of Wisconsin alum, Wild
spent time working in New York before heading back to Wisconsin on a mission to
save Madison from fashion ennui.

Atticus Shop, located in Suite A on 18 N.
Carroll St., is an alternative to the common style of State Street shopping.
The industrial, functional interior immediately indicates the atmosphere of
Atticus and the clothing sold there. The store is for someone who appreciates
quality clothing. Although the items are in a high price range, the pieces are
of higher quality than the brands that barely last a semester.

Instead of buying a head-to-toe look, why
not buy pieces that will add to what you already own and will outlast any
trends? Up-and-coming labels,
including Katherine Hamner, LnA, Loomstate, Acne Jeans and Charlotte Ronson,
usually impossible to locate in Madison, are now sold exclusively at Atticus.
Never heard of these brands? Exactly. Atticus does not have the mainstream
appeal of franchises, and the designers are not well known, but that is why the
store is unique.

If fashion brands are of no concern to
you, maybe the environment is. Atticus provides many eco-friendly clothing
choices. The Loomstate graphic tees are one of my personal favorites, made of
organic cotton and perfectly adorable.

Another popular item is the “Reduce,
Recycle, Renew” tote from Beau Solei. As I browse the other handbags, Wild
explains they are vegan. I would never be able to tell. Later this season,
Atticus will be carrying Ashley Watson handbags, all recycled leather, making
them less expensive than the typical leather purse but softer.

“Choosing eco-friendly options has become
a bit of a trend recently, so I didn’t want to focus an entire section on that,”
Wild explains.

Instead, the organic wear is mixed in
with the other products and not showcased. Wild hopes that making
environmentally-conscious fashion choices will just become something everyone
does, rather than a short-lived fad. Still, choosing to purchase a couple
organic cotton tees when available can really make a difference.

Atticus has saved me from fashion
boredom, and if you are feeling at all how I did, I suggest you check it out.
Here are a few suggestions of items to consider:

LnA tees and leggings: The shirts are perfectly form-fitting,
and the cotton is incomparable. The leggings never bag at the knee and have yet
to develop a hole. The pieces are all essential basics: not flashy but
noticeably of high quality and fit.

Jessica Kagan Cushman Bracelets: These hand-carved resin bangles are
inscribed with clever famous quotes. They are fun pieces of jewelry to add to
any outfit and are always a conversation piece.

Simon Miller Jeans for Men: Jeans are a crucial part of everyone’s
wardrobe, and I am an advocate of well-fitting, quality jeans — especially on
men. Simon Miller creates slimmer fitting jeans with a clean wash, leaving a
blank canvas for a clean, sophisticated look.

Atticus is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.