Every woman’s nightmare is having bought a fabulous outfit, only to see someone wearing the SAME outfit to the same party they are at! Not so fabulous anymore!!! But at Mila, an independent women’s boutique in downtown Westfield, you’re sure to find a unique and beautiful outfit that could never be found in any chain store.

Opened just over two months ago by Westfield local Rhea Riachi, Mila offers trendy casual wear (think flowy sweaters and tight leggings), statement pieces (say, a leather-trimmed blazer), and cocktail attire (sequins, anyone?), as well as chic accessories and jewelry. The kicker is that all the clothes are imported from Italy and France–countries that take fashion to a higher level. When you walk into Milan, it has a distinctly European vibe with its stark white walls, minimalist decor, and clothing organized by color, which delights the OCD shoppers among us.

Fashion is in the blood, apparently;  Rhea’s own mother was a fashionista who owned a boutique in Beirut and took Rhea on shopping jaunts throughout Europe. And Mila is named after Rhea’s gorgeous three-year-old daughter.

Mila’s staff knows their stuff. On a recent shopping trip there I met resident stylist Megan Decker, whose fashion knowledge goes back to her days working for Ralph Lauren. Megan is an expert at helping women create ensembles that are as attractive as they are figure-flattering. And don’t be intimidated by the euro sizing on all the labels (for example, a euro size 1 is an American size 0). Mila has a wide range of sizes for EVERY body type. Phew.

Now, I’m a bargain hunter, but I was pleasantly surprised to find many pieces that were within my budget. There are expensive items, sure, and that’s to be expected of high-quality apparel and accessories. But I also found several cute tops for well under $100, a killer handbag that didn’t break the bank, and two sale racks of clothing that is all 50 percent off.

Rhea is jetting off to Paris this weekend to do some buying for the shop, but you can catch her in the store on most days.Mila is located at 107 Prospect Street and is open seven days a week; hours vary but generally they’re open 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday, 11 to 6 on Sunday. You can visit their website at www.milascloset.com