Pumps & Pleats: Skate diva does Betty Boop proud

Story and photos by Michèle De Meglio

I found my fashion dreamland and it’s sparkly pink.

Walking into Lola Staar’s Dreamland Boutique on the Coney Island boardwalk is like visiting paradise. A glittery paradise!

Nestled adjacent to the retro Dreamland Roller Rink, the adorable boutique is chock full of cute and kitschy tees, glitzy jewelry and kooky novelty items.

Trust me, there is no better store for gals who love pink. And glitter. And wish they were Betty Boop. (Oh, like you don’t!)

In fact, the shop sells lip gloss in the shape of a scantily clad Betty, who is batting her long black eyelashes, of course.

My absolute favorite piece in the boutique is a fitted T-shirt with thick pink and white horizontal stripes and an amazingly massive juicy strawberry on the chest. The berry’s seeds are replaced with tiny hearts and the Lola Staar name is at the top. It’s even displayed next to a two-foot-tall lamp in the shape of a strawberry ice cream cone. I’ve died and gone to heaven!

Now that I’ve selected my fave shirt and makeup, I need accessories!

One look at Lola Staar’s overflowing jewelry case could set any cotton candy-loving gal’s heart aflutter.

There’s chunky rings in summertime nail polish shades, supersized neon bangles and a long silver chain boasting a huge crystal-encrusted anchor.

The coolest piece is a bold bangle in the shape of an Angelina Jolie-sized pout.

Gosh, the ruby red lips would pop against a baby pink baseball cap coated with sequins. It glitters like all the colors of the rainbow!

Oh! I’ve spotted a purse! A crinkly plastic oversized tote is the perfect compliment to my pink paradise getup. After all, it features a glamorous baby blue bird decked out with soft pink flower barrettes underneath the words Miso Pretty. Hello, lover!

So there’s my outfit — a strawberry tee, pink glitter hat, red lips bangle, Betty Boop lip gloss and Miso Pretty bag. Maybe I could even borrow owner Dianna Carlin’s classic roller skates adorned with hearts, crystals and pompoms. All in hot pink!

Hmm. Is this too much bubblegum? Nah, some blue jeans will set off the sparkle and hey, this is Dreamland!

Lola Staar’s Dreamland Boutique is located in the Dreamland Roller Rink, which is on the boardwalk at 3052 West 21st Street. For hours, call 800-362-5116 or visit www.lolastaar.com or www.dreamlandrollerrink.com.

Michèle De Meglio is a native Brooklynite addicted to all things chic. Check out Pumps & Pleats each week for more adventures as she scours the borough for fab duds and accessories.