The air was palpable in Sassen Boutique.

Just a short sleep ago, owner Katie Sassen and her assistant Morgan Cargill had set the catwalk on fire during Steiner Ranch Steakhouse’s Martini’s and Mistletoe shopping event.
The interviewer, decked out in the attire of a ranch hand, complete with cowboy boots, should have felt a bit out of place in this most feminine surroundings — a real Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, or Hill Country Cedar Chopper with a press card — depending on one’s point of view.
But Sassen and Cargill, along with their compadre Deborah Sheldon, are down-to-earth — and none-too-short in the talent department either. Sassen has developed a boutique that offers women a chance to make one stop, find the right ensemble, tone the skin to perfection and receive hair styling that is world-class, even to the untrained eye.
So what’s in this Christmas?
“The animal print is back,” Sassen said. “Leggings are also back. And color is a rainbow this season. No need to feel encumbered in black this winter.”
That is particularly true in the mild temperatures that accompany a Texas Hill Country winter. One day it may be cold, but the following may mark the beginning of an Indian Summer.
Men hear a lot about so-called “Austin Casual,” that slight disconnect from the rest of the nation where snow and cold temperatures require a battening down of the fashion hatches from months each year. Lake Travis is different. It lends itself to color. This is the reason so many home-owned boutiques do such a superior job of catering to their clientele, freed from the chains of national marketing campaigns that might be just perfect for the northern reaches, but not suitable for a southern climate. So boutique owners like Sassen cater to their customers — their likes and dislikes — every detail down to the perfect hair style.
“In the Lakeway area, they really want to look trendy,” Sassen said. “Right now, that means t-shirts. T-shirts with print or rhinestone are in — they just can’t be plain. Scarves are also popular — and they are versatile. They are perfect for layerings — say with a tank top. Layering remains very popular. Scarves are wonderful for Austin, because the days are warm and the evenings cool down.
Pashminas — a Persian version of the shawl — are very popular.
“They make wonderful gifts,” Sassen suggested. “It can work with jeans or a dress. It can work as a scarf.”
Yet how should husbands shop for their wives? What are the right choices” Tis a question that tries the hearts of all good men.
“You never go wrong with jewelry,” Cargill said, “a nice pair of earrings.”
But there is a better way — a safer way — Sassen suggested: Get a gift certificate.
“It is a much better idea to allow a woman to shop for herself — particularly when it comes to clothing,” Sassen said. “Once in a great while there are those men who really have a proclivity for selecting clothes for women, but most men don’t.”
The reviewer gets the idea — peering down at cowboy boots and ranch-hand attire. Perhaps a gift card might just be a wise idea.
“Women will always shop,” she declared. “But they know what it is to manage budgets as well. A store like mine is perfect where you can take care of all your needs at a good value.”
Sweater dresses are also a good bet for the winter season. Sassen has a store which is uniquely suited to the modern Lake Travis woman.
“They are great,” Cargill said. “They can either be worn with tight jeans or with leggings. High boot also make a good mix with sweater dresses.”
Grooming matters as well. Sassen Boutique can address virtually every need. Their staff stand ready to clothe, tan and style the discriminating shopper. Their expert staff adds another dimension that most patrons will find appealing — they friendly and the service is impeccable. The camaraderie is clear and it makes customers comfortable.
Sassen Boutique is located at 325 RR 620 S., Suite A101. Call 512-266-1025 or visit www.sassenboutiqueandhairsalon.com for additional information. The store is open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., and on Mondays only the boutique open from noon-5 p.m.