Editor’s note: This article was published in Grand Traverse Scene magazine’s Summer I 2026 issue. Pick up a free copy at area hotels, visitor’s centers, chambers of commerce or at the Record-Eagle building at 1764 Forest Ridge Drive in Traverse City. Click here to read GT Scene in its entirety online.
Store: W Wear
Address: 185 E Main St, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Phone: 231-526-5780
Owner: Wanda Mange
There’s something inviting about stepping into a boutique where every piece feels thoughtfully chosen. Since opening W Wear in 2001, owner Wanda Mange has created a Harbor Springs destination for elevated women’s fashion, offering designer collections from New York runways and Europe alongside carefully selected casual wear, event attire and special occasion pieces.
Inside the boutique, quality and intention guide Wanda’s selections. Along with beautiful fabrics and timeless pieces, she values craftsmanship and meaning in the brands she carries. One line especially close to her heart is Finley, whose partnership with Mended supports survivor artisans who have come out of bonded labor and human trafficking through textile work and fair wages.
Wanda also credits W Wear’s longtime, knowledgeable staff for helping create the personalized experience she hopes customers remember long after they leave the store.
After spending time at W Wear, it’s easy to see the care Wanda brings to the boutique. From thoughtfully selected designer pieces to personalized service and an emphasis on quality, W Wear reflects Wanda’s intentional approach to helping customers find pieces that feel both special and lasting.
What year did you open your store and how big is it?
“We opened in 2001, and we have 1,100-square-feet.”
What inspired you to open a retail spot in Harbor Springs?
“My husband and I had been coming here before we got married and just fell in love with the quaintness, the people, the peacefulness, the safety, and the whole ambience. I thought, if I ever do a store, this is the place.”
Where are you from?
“Actually, Detroit, Michigan.”
What made you move here?
“Well, we had our wedding and honeymoon here, and my husband’s parents had a place in Bay View. I had design jobs in Cincinnati, Ohio, and one day we decided this is the perfect place to raise a family. My mom at the time said, ‘What are you thinking?’ So, on a lark, during the worst blizzard in December of ’78, we packed up a U-Haul and moved up here.”
How did you come up with the name of your shop?
“Well, my name is Wanda, so that’s the ‘W,’ and it’s women’s apparel predominantly, so that became W Wear.”
What kind of items do you carry at W Wear?
“Mainly all designer (clothes)…. designers you would see at New York Runway Fashion Week, and we do eight lines out of Europe.
“They’re just beautiful casual wear, event dressing — we do lots of weddings, fundraisers, all of that when people really want to get dressed up. We also have a fabulous discount room, so we have a span of who we can cater to.”
How do you want your customers to feel when they walk into your store?
“The comments I’ve heard are, ‘Oh wow, I haven’t seen anything like this anywhere,’ and, ‘You have gorgeous quality.’ It really is all about quality to me.
“You know, lots made in the U.S. and lots also made in Europe. Things that feel wonderful and are made well and don’t fall apart after you wash them. I’m very intentional and thoughtful about what I want to offer. I want my pieces to be meaningful and intentional, definitely.”
What do you hope people take with them beyond what they purchase?
“I want them to have a personalized experience beyond the clothes that they’re walking out with.
“I have an amazing staff who have been in retail forever and are trained well in inventory and how sizing differs from different manufacturers and countries. We also do special ordering if someone is looking for something we don’t have.
“We have a wholesale manufacturers’ site, so we can type in what someone is looking for and find it for them. We can search all over the world for them.”
What’s the best part about being a retailer in Harbor Springs?
“It’s just the satisfaction of knowing that you have something really special and really unique to offer, and you have your client base.
“They know when they walk in the door, someone will help them. We greet them and are knowledgeable. We’ll help them find things, and if we don’t have it, we’ll get it for them.”
Do you have a favorite piece or item in the shop right now?
“Oh, there are so many, but I love these new Simkhai event dresses. They can be a day dress or cocktail dress. The silhouette or cut is a sassy fit swing dress.
“I also love these long, flowy sundresses. We have one from Greece that we just got. You can wear a T-shirt underneath so it’s less revealing.
I also love the Finley line. They’re beautiful shirts, but what really warms my heart is the story behind it — the philanthropy and the goodness of it.”
How do you spend your free time when you’re not working?
“Oh, I love gardening, and I have been doing a lot of cleaning up from last year’s ice storm.”