Price, Not Fashion, Discounted

It’s always a joy to discover quality designer fashions at healthy discounts, but to find a shop that carries unusual merchandise in sizes 2 to 24 is a bonus.

PAA Fashions is a store where the prices are moderatedly discounted and the size range is surprising. Peggy Ann A. (hence PAA) has created a little store with the boutique-like feel of an exclusive designer showroom full of some very nice designer clothing at 10% to 40% below retail. The discount depends on the label.

A Johanna York (size 14 to 26) multicolor jewel-tone rayon two-piece (tulip skirt and blouson top) retails for about $180; PAA’s tag reads $149. It gets better. For the petite woman, a four-piece polyester and silk evening ensemble (slacks, top, tunic-length jacket and matching sash) is tagged at $59, about $100 below the retail price of $159.

Peggy buys designs that are a bit different from the norm. Some jackets, handmade by a local designer with appliques and wild splashes of colors, sell at some San Fernando Valley boutiques for $250. At Peggy’s, the price tag reads $159 to $179.

Anne and Eve, a pair of designers from England, created a stunning black ensemble--dress and jacket--and Peggy’s price is $79 each. They look marvelously expensive, with the jacket trimmed with black-and-gold braid and hundreds of tiny gold-look coins.

Check out the sale rack, because Peggy believes in moving merchandise. Prices run anywhere from $5 to $25. A Sheri Martin petite dress that PAA was discounting at $89 was $25.

PAA Fashions, 19932 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills (Winnetka Square Shopping Center). Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, till 8 p.m. Thursday. Visa and MasterCard accepted. Layaway available. (818) 347-4443.