Adam & Eve Clothing Co.: High style on Bainbridge Island

When the occasion calls for more than a fig leaf, it's time for a ferry ride. Just a brisk walk or short drive from the ferry dock on Bainbridge Island, you'll find a clothing emporium packed with trendy clothing for men and women from contemporary and independent designers.

Some may balk at the prospect of ferry lines and fees, but consider the advantage of this destination boutique: All the labels you love are in one place. In Seattle-area boutiques, competition and boutique etiquette often limits the number of clothing lines you'll find in a single store, prompting a tiring day of shop hopping and shuttling to and fro from neighborhoods to downtown. Not so at Bainbridge's Adam & Eve. This island boutique boasts more than 60 brands and over 160 styles of denim. Savvy shoppers know that means they'll actually save time.

This fashion oasis in Puget Sound is the creative brainchild of owner Robin Callahan, a 13-year resident of Bainbridge Island. Callahan tired of making the trip to Seattle every time she needed a special-occasion outfit, the latest denim, or the hard-to-find labels she lusted for. The take-charge entrepreneur and former gallery owner decided late last year to open a boutique. With the sweat and determination of a body builder (which she is), Callahan went on a buying frenzy and designed a shop featuring handmade lighting, slate floors and distinctive iridescent columns. She opened for business six weeks later in November, 2004. "We had family and friends in here the whole night to open as scheduled the next day," says Callahan.

So aggressive are Callahan's buying habits, it appears that she's already outgrowing the 2,200-square-foot space. I was building muscles browsing through the racks packed with dozens of fluttery summer tops by Sweet Pea and hefting piles of denim stacked on the tables to find a size. There is so much to browse through I felt a case of attention deficit disorder coming on as I bounced from racks featuring Catherine Malandrino brocade jackets, to rounders of BCBG date tops, just-in Diane von Furstenberg fall jackets, and Isabelle Fiore's over-the-top embellished leather handbags and fanciful shoes.

A central counter is laden with jewelry, including 14k gold pieces and a locally designed semi-precious stone line called Ginger, made especially for the boutique. Callahan requests the jewelry in seasonal colors to complement everything she buys. To round out the offerings for women, there are handbags and shoes by Kenneth Cole and Michael Kors, and Susan Posnick's mineral makeup. (Chanel cosmetics are on the way!) Along with the pricier boutique brands, Callahan is careful to offer items for everyone. "We have dressy Tracy Reese gowns, but then I'll carry a $38 shrug to go with it. Girls can come in and buy a Necessary Objects top without having to save up for it."

The men's section is smaller, but still well stocked with lots of denim by Seven, AG, Salt and John Paul Damage. Stylish guys can also choose from edgy Robert Graham designs, hipster shirts by Lacoste and James Perse, dress-up clothes from Hugo Boss and Varvatos, and men's grooming and shaving products from Sharp's.

The sense of community is strong here, and the shop lacks the pretentious atmosphere that you sometimes find in upscale boutiques. "I've watched most of the girls that work here grow up. I've known some since they were in kindergarten," says Callahan. Since she spends most of her time traveling and buying, she trains her staff to help outfit clients in everything from dresses for formal weddings to casual capris and tops for backyard parties. "We have an honesty rule here — if it doesn't look good on you, we'll say so. No one leaves here with bad-butt jeans."

Still not convinced to cross the water? Mention that you made a special trip to the island to visit Adam & Eve and you'll save 10 percent off of your purchase of regular priced goods. It will more than pay for the ferry ride.

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