Take Style Out 2018 – The Haute Lifestyle Review

Amber at Flirt Boutique – Manor Park

This year Take Style Out listened to the voice of the people and decided to have their event a bit later and pushed it to Thursday, October 4,2018. Little did the organizers know that it would rain (heavily) and the support here in Kingston was just under the weather — literally.

We here at The Haute Lifestyle braved the weather, waited patiently in meandering traffic with Fyah 105 tunes in the background to get us in “a vibe” and made our way up to Manor Park. 

The scene here was quite calm with several empty parking spaces where we quickly secured one and made our way to the first stop.

Eye Q Optical 

First, on our impromptu Take Style Out (TSO) Tour was Eye Q Optical. I’m a glasses wearer who likes to accessorize pairs and wanted to learn of the best deals and of course what’s haute in store. It was here that we met the effervescent Manager, Elsa Figueroa Newland who gave a quick overview of the store and informed us of the offerings for TSO: 30% off Frames, 10% off  Reflection Free Lenses and 20% off sunglasses. Just in case you were wondering “what’s haute” for glasses — the cat-eye! “It’s all about the cat-eye”, Elsa exclaimed as she pointed to a pair she donned “the intense cat-eye”, which featured a deep plum hue mixed with a clear/white around the edge.

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Eye Q Optical (Manor Park) Manager, Elsa Figueroa Newland

Just a few of the frames

The Intense Cat-Eye

Customer Assistant/Sales Rep, Matthew Irving shows off a pair of male frames

Our next location was our favorite clothing boutique in Manor Park, Flirt Boutique. Upon entering, the upbeat pop music set the tone for the overall vibe of the store which is reminiscent of a New York or L.A Boutique as curious shoppers browsed the racks and tried on a few pieces. 

When we asked the Managing Director, Jennifer Azan “what’s trending,” she told us:

“There was something for everyone and all the latest styles can be found including denim, culottes, bell sleeves, woven straw bags, and accessories, as well as the trending Co-ord sets! 

The entire store was 20% off and select racks 80%. Just as we were about to leave, we were motioned by the NCB Keycard girls who offered a cool tote with purchase (for shoppers who used their NCB Keycard)  as well as light snacks and cupcakes. We were introduced to Holistic Health Coach and Spinning Instructor Natalie Murray and her brand OPEN who catered the event and offered healthy food alternatives: Almond Chickpea Nutballs and Jerk Chicken and Roast Breadfruit. With 2 stores down and a few new connections made, we made our way down to Half-Way-Tree amidst the sudden downpour of rain.
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The Flirt storefront in Manor Park

Flirt Girls Amber (left) and Toni-Faye

Flirt Girl Toni-Faye Bisnott show us a colorful top

Culottes and Woven bags are trending

Managing Director of Flirt Jennifer Azan poses in a Pink Bel Sleeve top and distressed denim with a chic necklace

NCB Keycard Girls

Flirt Denim

Jerk Chicken & Roast Breadfruit and Almond Chickpea Nutballs by Natalie Murray (OPEN)

The scene at Half-Way-Tree was quite similar to Manor Park, in previous years I had to drive around several times to secure a parking spot, this year I drove around once and found one just like that! Here we were only able to get to 3 stores as it was pouring at this point and we roughed it to get content ?

Lee’s Fifth Avenue

Lee’s Fifth Avenue was the first stop and again the music was “jumpin’ jumpin” –quick tip to stores: Get a DJ to play in store as opposed to the radio. It makes a major difference. Lee’s offered discounts from 20% – 80% off the entire store as well as markdown on select items. They had their usual trendy clothing for male, female and children plus a few funky low-key wearable couture pieces. I’m talking Organza, Chiffon, Satin, and Fringe! I found that with Lee’s you had to really search through the racks to score one of a kind pieces (which we love) and thanks to their always stylish, Lee’s Fifth Avenue Buying Manager Sheena Isree, we were able to take a few snaps.

Beautiful Organza dresses

Lee’s Fifth Avenue Buying Manager, Sheena Isree

Colorful shirts for Men

This shirt is perfect for the upcoming Hero’s Weekend

Lee’s Fifth Avenue Store Front (Mall Plaza)

This trendy Gingham Blazer was 30% off

The Perfume Shop

On our way to the next stop, we did something unconventional — we met Naresh Laheja owner of The Perfume Shop who has been in Mall Plaza for 28 years! You have probably seen his small store window immediately facing Xtras and in previous years immediately in front of Ammars. Naresh had perfumes from $4,500 and his window was crowded by young men who he says are his best customers.

Naresh Laheja

These Perfumes were $4,500

We stopped briefly at Collectibles Shoes and saw discounts from 15% to 60% on all shoes. 

Ammar’s

The final stop of the night was Ammars — this store was crowded but we managed to find a Sales Rep to speak with, Daniella Mighty who informed us that discounts were 15% -75% off. They had basic and dressy items for the entire family as well as various types of bags, underwear, shoes, toys and several other items on sale. They also had special items for shoppers who used their NCB Keycard — the Keycard crew was all the way turned up! They were dancing up a storm, literally and really got people to stop and go into the store. The vibe inside Ammar’s was like Christmas Eve or “Grand Market” in Kingtson, it was high-energy and people were browsing the store grabbing the best items before they were all gone.

Shirts for Men were 15% – 20% off

Dress Shirts for Men were 20% – 50% off

Women’s dresses were 15% off

These trendy dresses were also 15% off

Intimates were for women were 20% off

Underwear were from 30% – 50% off

Bags were 50% off

Traditional Dresses for girls (for Hero’s Day ) were 15% off

Toddler Girl dresses were 15% off

Our Thoughts

We felt Take Style Out this year was .. ok, it would have been great if it wasn’t a rainy day. The overall vibe was similar to the Saturday after payday or “month end”. It would be great if the event could be held during pay week which is the 21st to 25th of a month and maybe in November which is within the Thanksgiving season in the states and they could include an Online version similar to Cyber Monday so Online Businesses in Jamaica could also be a part of it. Having it later in the year would make it even more supported as it is close to Christmas and people would have saved throughout the year and actually have money to make big purchases. 

Next year, we hope to cover stores outside of Kingston and other areas of Kingston like Clock Tower Plaza and Lime light. These are the areas frequented by young “Social Media Influencers” so we are sure we will get a different vibe and experience.

What did you think of Take Style Out this year?