New size-inclusive boutique opens in downtown SLO: ‘A niche that needed to be explored’
Angelic Dirden hadn’t always planned to sell cozy sweaters and trendy dresses for a living.
She previously worked as a clinical scientist. After moving to the Central Coast, however, Dirden noticed there was something missing in the local shopping scene: size inclusivity.
“I’ve lived here for a while, but there are not many places for plus-sized people to shop alongside slim sizes,” she told The Tribune in early December. “And there’s just not much option for local ... for a way to stimulate the local economy.”
So she decided to change that.
Dirden opened Opulence, a size-inclusive women’s clothing boutique, in downtown San Luis Obispo in early November.
The store — located at 1115 Broad St., in what was formerly 2 Blondes Boutique — carries clothing in sizes small to 3X, as well as a range of accessories and other items.
In creating the shop, Dirden said, she was in part inspired by her own experiences shopping as a plus-size person.
“I go shopping with my friends pretty often and all I can do is look at accessories,” she said. “So I’m wanting to create a space where slim sizes and plus sizes can shop alongside each other in a loving and supportive atmosphere, and feel empowered.”
According to Dirden, she decided to branch out into retail after a science job brought her to San Luis Obispo County in 2016.
In 2020, she was informed the position would require her to move again.
“They were like ‘Oh come to Texas!’ and I’m like, ‘No I do not want to leave this area,’” Dirden laughed. “I’m not leaving the beach for the desert.”
That’s when she began looking around for business opportunities, and places where she might be able to open up her size-inclusive shop.
Dirden said she first looked at spaces in Santa Barbara and Cambria before settling on her spot in downtown San Luis Obispo.
“This is the one that felt the most right for me,” she said.
Response to the new store, Opulence, has been great so far, she said.
“I just have had such positive, warm, welcoming feedback from a lot of the ladies who are out shopping on their lunch break, or out walking their dog, that stop in and have such kind words to say,” Dirden said.
She said people seem to be really into the idea of more size-inclusive options downtown.
“I am seeing that people are excited for the size-inclusive spaces,” Dirden said. “Both curvy sizes and slim sizes are excited, and a lot of the locals that I’ve have spoken with. They realized that this is a niche that needed to be explored.”
Opulence is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, visit shopopulence.net.
This story was originally published December 15, 2022 at 11:05 AM.
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