jux-ta-pose apparel & studio [review]

I met the owners of Jux-ta-pose apparel & studio (hereby referred to as “Juxtapose” or “Juxt”) at the annual Pride & Passion party this past spring. Read a recap of that event here.

First impressions are always interesting to look back upon, once you’ve gotten to know someone. With Kallie and Lindsay Wesley, the polished and mature personas they embodied that night have endured.

Jux-ta-pose apparel & studio

What you’ll notice about both sisters, either at their stores or in a social setting, is their disarming warmth and laser-sharp focus. Neither of them miss much, but are far from cold and calculating.

I’ve enjoyed stopping by Juxtapose in Hyde Park Village over the last few months, just to say hi, even though they don’t sell any mens clothing. It’s taken me this long to discover it, mostly for that reason. In taking stock, its clear I’ve stumbled upon an established destination for the fashion-forward women of South Tampa.

Contrary to the contents of this blog up to now, I can appreciate browsing womenswear, especially when its assembled the way it is at Juxtapose. Trina Turk’s California-chic separates mingle with Susana Monaco shift dresses. And tibi’s sophisticated blouses share rack space with gauzy Cynthia Vincent scarves.

I always find myself thumbing through their racks, even if it’s a waste of my time, since I don’t plan on cross-dressing anytime soon.

Admittedly, I’m not fluent in the designers and lines of mid-tier luxury women’s clothing. However, aesthetics, fabrics, and cuts speak for themselves, as I am a touch-and-feel judge. Were I a female, I would clearly want to don some of Juxt’s fabulous party dresses, comfy tops, and sleek bottoms.

tibi nyc at jux-ta-pose apparel & studio in Hyde Park Village, Tampa

The sisters also stock gifts, housewares, furniture and design pieces, and offer design consulting, should the mood strike any customer. A second Juxtapose boutique recently opened in the Sundial complex in Downtown St. Petersburg, which happened to mark the 3rd anniversary of the Hyde Park ‘flagship.’

Kallie and Lindsay plan to split time between the boutiques, handling everything they can keep within their control, without delegating much beyond a new store manager. They’ve built a following by relentlessly controlling (knowing) every aspect of their business themselves, down to the cash register.

That’s called passion, folks.

The girls of Jux-ta-pose visit 1901, my pop-up shop

Kallie is also a painter, as if her resume was not already packed enough. And she’s 24. Lindsay is 27, and is the taller of the two, if you want to keep track.

I know I’m biased, because I like these two people, as people, but Juxtapose is a pretty cool ladies’ store. It is the quality homegrown boutique that we lacked both in Hyde Park, and in Tampa Bay more generally, when I was growing up. It makes “shop local” far more appealing than trudging out to the mall to battle it out for parking and a dressing room.

I haven’t visited St. Pete yet to check out the second iteration of Juxtapose, but I plan to very soon. I have no doubt my inner girl will love it.