A symbol of rebirth, butterfly print fashion takes flight at Long Island boutiques
Items with butterfly designs that are sold at the store Protass Gifts in Oceanside. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Butterfly designs are fluttering around everywhere on Long Island and beyond for summer – in part a sign that people are happy to shed their cocoons and start life anew, according to local fashion and home décor boutique owners.
The trend took off on the spring 2022 runways of Chanel, Blumarine and Alberta Ferretti. Now stores are carrying just about everything festooned with butterflies or made in butterfly shapes from blouses, T-shirts, dresses, pants, shorts, skirts, socks, bags, hats, headbands and jewelry to shoes, sunglasses, hair clips, key chains, throw pillows, coffee mugs, temporary tattoo kits, posters and yoga mats.
People "are wanting new energy and change," says Joanna Mazzella, owner of Mint Clothing Boutique, which has stores in Mattituck, Westhampton Beach, Stony Brook and Southampton. And the butterfly is the perfect representation of that, she notes.
Sherry Li, owner of Protass Gifts in Oceanside, agrees.
“I think it’s the meaning of the butterfly” that is especially appealing these days, Li says. “It’s the symbol of rebirth and it’s also very pretty and very colorful.”
So, if you don’t want to wing it to find a great butterfly look, here’s a small sampling of some of the eye-catching offerings to be found at Long Island stores:
Straw butterfly hats. Credit: Hot Topic
These straw butterfly hats, originally $23, quickly flew off shelves and sold out at Hot Topic, which has stores in Garden City, Hicksville, Deer Park and Lake Grove, hottopic.com.
One With Nature Shorts. Credit: Free People
“One With Nature Shorts,” $88, Free People, Garden City and Huntington Station, freepeople.com.
Amanda Uprichard Estella Maxi. Credit: Mint Clothing Boutique
Amanda Uprichard Estella Maxi, $308, Mint Clothing Boutique, Mattituck, Westhampton Beach, Stony Brook Village and Southampton, shopmint.com.
Vintage Silk Butterflies Pillow. Credit: Free People
Vintage Silk Butterflies Pillow, $68, Free People, Garden City and Huntington Station, freepeople.com.
Rhinestone Butterfly Clutch. Credit: Maria Porcasi
Butterfly bag: Rhinestone Butterfly Clutch, $49.99, Estelle’s Dressy Dresses, 1600 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale, estellesdressydresses.com.
Rhinestone Butterfly Earrings. Credit: Maria Porcasi
Rhinestone Butterfly Earrings, $15.99, Estelle’s Dressy Dresses, 1600 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale, estellesdressydresses.com.
Personalized butterfly bag charm. Credit: Things Remembered
Personalized Butterfly Bag Charm, Things Remembered, $12, Huntington Station, Garden City, Valley Stream and Lake Grove, thingsremembered.com.
Butterfly gifts at Protass Gifts in Oceanside. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Butterfly Half Headband, $9; Butterfly Socks, $9; Butterfly Cuff Bracelet, $88, Protass Gifts in Oceanside.
