For 14 years, the owners of Fine Finds Boutique (1014 Mainland Street) have been proud supporters of local designers. Almost all of the jewellery lines in this Yaletown store, for instance, are Vancouver-based and around 70 percent of the clothing is Canadian-made. So perhaps not surprisingly, it’s on the radar of many a stylist, including Nicolette Lang-Andersen. The Straight recently caught up with this worldly fashionista at the Fine Finds anniversary party, where she was on hand for customers and partygoers seeking fashion counsel.

“As soon as I moved here [from London], which was three years ago, I literally walked ’round to all the local boutiques introducing myself and this was, like, the second store that I came to,” Lang-Andersen recalls. “And I was in heaven. It’s so whimsical.”

But not everything is cute and fanciful here. There are plenty of wardrobe staples too. With that in mind, Lang-Andersen often taps Fine Finds for its great range of sexy, feminine pieces that can take women from day to night, like Madame Moje’s stretchy knit LBD with figure-flattering leather piping around the bustline ($240).

As for her spring picks, Lang-Andersen is loving Jason Matlo’s tunic shift dress ($320), which comes in a bright plant and animal print.

“The tropical theme is huge this spring, and the cut is great for quite a few different body shapes,” Lang-Andersen says. “I also love dresses like this because you can accessorize with a whole range of shoes just by picking a colour from the pattern.”

The V-neck on this beauty screams for a necklace, so Lang-Andersen paired it with an elegant, brassy-gold horseshoe-shaped choker ($22) from local jewellery label Birds of a Feather—a piece that offers the perfect point of interest at a perfect price point.

But since this showstopping summer mini is above the knees, we might be getting a little ahead of ourselves. After all, the number one question customers are asking Lang-Andersen these days is, “How do I transition from the winter to spring/summer?”

“It’s a bit chilly, so I’m suggesting fun cropped jackets—something that’s easy to layer,” she says. “I love this one Mackage [$550]. It’s a very simple, almost tuxedo-style leather jacket—it’s very sharp and very chic.”

Her must-have accessory this spring?

“I’m absolutely addicted to anything bright and colourful,” Lang-Andersen admits. “So, something in colour, and I think clutches are a great way to introduce colour to a simple outfit, especially if you’re a bit timid.”

Fine Finds just happens to carry the perfect leather clutch by local artisan Erin Templeton, called Time for a Change. It’s super soft, comes in eye-popping colours like Caribbean orange and electric turquoise, holds everything, and has super-convenient wrist straps ($140)

While Lang-Andersen does a fair bit of styling and personal shopping for clients at Fine Finds, she also likes to frequent the boutique when she’s off the clock.

“Personally, it’s where I do all my gift shopping,” she says. “I can always find something unique for any age and for any occasion.”