Harvard Square’s neon pink Jasmine Sola sign is still up at 29 Brattle Street, but inside you’ll find something completely different: Monella, which has opened its doors just in time for spring.
The window display houses mannequins sporting chic jersey dresses and playful peep-toe heels. Inside, a rainbow of patterns and prints waits to be perused.
Monella left in place all the familiar Jasmine facets, most notably the bare, white walls, light wood floors and hanger bars suspended by metal wires. But what you find on them is refreshing — there are fewer bedazzled clubbing halter tops and more wearable attire. Monella offers stylish, versatile knit tops for under $70 that can be dressed up or down, and they also sell pricier brands like True Religion, Joe’s, Lacoste, Rock ‘ Republic and 7 For All Mankind. Another new non-Jasmine aspect is the music — in place of overwhelming techno beats, a mellow Ray Charles live album meshes well with the boutique’s clean, airy space.
Some trend-obsessed mouths may water over the long embroidered tops that go perfectly with the tailored boot leg jeans they hang next to, but Monella has wide-ranging wares that draw a mixed clientele. A few minutes after an Ugg-booted duo dressed in dark shades and velour entered, a woman sporting a tight bun, form-fitting green pea coat and reasonable heels wandered in to browse the preppy plaid headbands and sets of lacy pastel underwear.
Monella provides a reasonably priced yet highly fashionable substitute for those still wearing black over the loss of Jasmine Sola, but beware — you might be tempted to scoop up everything in sight.