This was a looooooong winter. No one is happier to see signs of spring than me. Until now, the only time I defrosted and felt warm and sunny was during a recent shopping trip to Gloria Jewel in Bridgehampton. Despite the fact that the weather outside was all kinds of chilly, I’m convinced that it’s always sunny inside Gloria Jewel.

I was on a mission – in need of a few spring staples with serious staying power to transform my wardrobe. Maybe even something I could wear right through summer…even fall… Luckily, that’s what Gloria Jewel is all about: functional, fashionable staples. Trendy, yet comfortable and classic essentials that can transform an ordinary day into a confident, kick-ass day. Sounds good, right? So, I blocked out a couple of hours and (lucky me!) headed out for a shopping spree.

I arrived at Gloria Jewel on a quiet morning to get some one-on-one time with the fabulous Megan Chiarello, owner and founder of Gloria Jewel. First, I got the grand tour of the Bridgehampton store, (located at 125 Main Street) current inventory, brands, designers, materials, and trends. My first thought: The. Colors. Are. Perfection.

Megan started Gloria Jewel in 2007, modeling the concept after her two grandmothers, both of whom impacted her deep love and appreciation for fashion. Unlike most high-end fashion boutiques in New York and elsewhere, Gloria Jewel is built on unconditional love, acceptance, and the desire to empower women through fashion. It’s crystal clear that Megan’s welcoming personality set a precedent throughout the company from day one.

Megan’s passion got me super stoked to shop and her attitude about clothing is right up my alley. “I’m into wearing your clothes,” Megan explains. She aims to make that moment when a women opens her closet every morning positive, fun, and comforting. Gloria Jewel is not about one-time wonders. And that’s good, because neither are cost-efficient shoppers. What’s the point of investing in an item of clothing only to wear it once, get sick of it fast, see it everywhere, or notice a decline in quality after one wash? Gloria Jewel takes care of it all. And not just boutique fashion, but also community events, charities, and year-round goings on. I’m on board with that (in my new peach long-sleeve by Wilt.)

From mood to merchandise, Gloria Jewel makes shopping FUN. No pressure to buy, no fake feedback we all know and hate. Although I loved most of what I saw and tried on, there were definitely items that just weren’t for me, and Megan was totally honest, which was so incredibly refreshing. Gloria Jewel’s staff understands that shoppers are all different. Some crave personal attention, others do NOT, but every woman deserves to walk out with at least one item of clothing that she will ROCK.

And you better believe that that’s what I did. Again and again…and again.

Cotton fringe? Yes, please. Navy T-shirt dress? Must have. Yup, you’ll see me sporting these two bad boys a lot this spring. Oh, the power of staples.

So, what else sets Gloria Jewel apart from other Hamptons/NYC boutiques? The company is built on the goal of helping each and every woman (regardless of age, size, background) to feel great in her clothing. As miss One Healthy Hamptons, I can attest to the fact that all of this healthy eating and working out just isn’t worth the while unless we feel good about ourselves in our own skin. Fashion is an expression of who we are; clothing can either lift us up, making us feel comfortable and confident, or weigh us down.

While Gloria Jewel excels in high-fashion, chic, trend-setting looks, comfort is the underlying objective. If you’re comfortable, you’re confident. Megan aims to provide women with comfortable fashion that will show confidence morning through night. “I want our customers to feel good, whether they’re meeting colleagues for coffee, picking up the kids at school, or heading out for date night.” Ah, life in the Hamptons. Everywhere we look, folks are dressed to the nines…why not us, right?!

Gloria Jewel shoppers are shoppers for life (trust me, I’m one of them.) The successful boutique has expanded to Westhampton Beach, Bridgehampton, Amagansett, and TriBeCa. “We want you to get compliments. We want you to get the most flattering look for YOU, we want you to find that great-fitting pair of jeans, it’s hands-down the best investment a woman can make,” Megan explains and I concur. The power of a good pair of jeans, a perfect white T, or a bombshell top for your next night out is irreplaceable. So, get ready to shop with ease, comfort, and uncompromised style.

One Healthy Breakdown: Check out your local Gloria Jewel…like pronto. Your perfect outfit and fitting confidence awaits…bring it on, summer!

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