Charming Charlie – Escondido

Love this place. I discovered this store up in the SF Bay Area (Emeryville, I think, but don’t quote me on that) the last time I visited my BFF Sue. Alas, we were pressed for time and I didn’t get to spend nearly as much time in there as I would have liked (i.e. all day!), so I was thrilled to find out there was a Charming Charlie in North County Fair when planning some outings for Sue’s visit down here. There is also one in Parkway Plaza (closer to me), but my boyfriend lives up in Escondido and I like the average clientele at NCF better anyway — a little less skanky and fewer angst-​riddled teenagers to deal with. So anyway, off we went.
Shortly after entering the store, we were discussing the merits of a necklace (
) that was very similar to one I’d just seen at the Ann Taylor outlet store in Carlsbad (for a lot more $), and whether or not it would go with a particular dress. At this point, one of the sales associates, Nicole, came by and joined our debate. She is a delightful and lovely woman, who proceeded to provide just the right amount of sales support/​assistance as we continued to browse the store. She made the experience of shopping there so pleasant that I will have to make sure to see if she is there first before I return, she was that terrific. She’s a strikingly pretty, tall, African-​American gal who feels like your new best friend the minute you meet her. I just met her, and I’d invite her to my wedding, and that probably isn’t happening for another 3 years at the earliest. It is SO refreshing to meet an engaged, competent, friendly salesperson these days — usually they’re all bored teenagers who can’t be bothered to look up from their cellphones long enough to ring up your purchase. Ask for Nicole if you go here. You won’t be sorry.
As for their merchandise — hell, I could spend all day and an entire paycheck here and come out with a truckload of stuff. Fun, stylish, great prices and well made. It’s purses, jewelry, scarves, some clothing, hats, basically every accessory you could want and a few you didn’t know you needed, all arranged by color, and great prices. This isn’t Kate Spade or Cole Haan, but I’m not willing to pay that much for a purse and I get bored easily anyway, so this store is perfect for me. I have an annual charity dinner event at the end of May that I have a dress picked out for (rare, usually that’s the toughest part for me, but I scored at the Cache going out of business sale … totally bummed about that, by the way, but I digress) — I’m planning to find out when Nicole is there before I go back and bring the dress with me so she can accessorize it for me. I’ll probably come out looking like a million bucks for well under a hundred $. Couldn’t ask for better.

Never ever ever shop here. Scam artists for lucky and glamour, they sell your information to these magazines. They are really sneaky about their wording, so really pay attention. The customer service has gone down hill in the past year. Really unfortunate, since I have been going here since they have opened.
Also, everything falls apart from here, take your business elsewhere.

Being from Northern CA, I was taken to this store by a friend, and had never heard of it. I loved it from the moment I walked in and saw everything displayed by color! It’s such a fun store, and very reasonably priced for items that would be much higher at other stores… especially the «special occasion» jewelry choices. I love sparkly things and there was plenty of that to choose from, but they also have purses, shoes, and other items to purchase.
When I was checking out, the clerk told me that these chain stores originated out of Texas… guess that explains the sparkly stuff… :-)
The only reason I gave 4 stars is because the selection of silver accents on colored jewelry was very limited and I don’t really wear gold accents when choosing jewelry. But that was the only thing that was a negative (for me personally) and I was still able to find several items that I HAD to have… lol!
I will be returning… and I recommend this store to anyone who likes costume jewelry and sparkly stuff at much lower prices than similar merchandise in larger retail chains!

Came in here in March to buy a necklace. Two months later, in May, I discover two charges on my bank account. One from Lucky Magazine and one from Glamour Magazine. When I called up their customer service number, they informed me that Charming Charlie gave them my credit card information. I called Charming Charlie’s customer service number just to hear from the CSR that this has happened too many times to count. This is ridiculously against the law. They can keep their ratchet jewelry — as far as I’m concerned, the only double C’s in my life are Chanel. Word of advice, if you like this ho-​licious establishment, pay cash only… unless you enjoy them selling off your personal information.

Umm negative star. I bought a 40 $ purse there on Wednesday and today (Friday) the strap broke. Wtf. Really? If I didn’t live 45+ mins from this stupid store I would be returning. Instead I’m going to have to self fix it, which in my opinion is bullshit to have to do to something I just bought and paid over $ 40 for. Will never shop here again.

This store has beautiful (often unique) purses, acessories and clothing for a decent price. Plenty of color and styles here! The store’s name truly encompases the look and feel of its products.

Honestly, when this store was first being installed in the mall I didn’t think much of it. It wasn’t until it was finally furnished and open to the public, I fell in love. Charming Charlie is essentially a one stop shop for an accessory emergency, and literally an upscale Claire’s for grown women.
The store is meticulously organized by color, that way it’s super easy to find what you’re looking for. Each section of the corresponding colors has its necklaces, rings bracelets of different lengths and styles, and handbags. You can find almost anything here to suit your needs or whatever look you’re pulling off.
My first visit to Charming Charlie was in June. I came here with an accessory crisis; I had a wedding to attend the night of, and sadly, nothing in my personal collection stood out to me. I have a tendency to be dictator of taste, and to ensure that my outfit looked perfect, I brought my dress with me. One of the ladies that worked there (I unfortunately forgot her name) was so sweet and so helpful! I showed her my dress and she pulled several pieces from different colors to complement my dress. I left with a new necklace and several stacking bracelets, and very satisfied!

Love love love this place! The way they have organised this store is fabulous! I probably can spend a day shopping in this store: D I moved here from AZ and it is well known accessory store there. Am so glad they have a store here in Escondido! Most of my accessories come from this store!
My only complaint for this place is, the sizing of their clothes! The ‘S’ size in their store is really a ‘M’ in any other place like Macys, New york and company, etc. I don’t find clothes that fit me well @ charming charlie! So, I stick to accessories only! But oh Boy! It is sucha cool place to visit with your dress and mix and match accessories from top to bottom!

love this place! Like an upscale claire’s for grown women!

OMG OMG colors colors colors everywhere. Accessories galore. Bags, neckless, rings, bracelets, foulards… everything super well organized by colors. Impossible to get lost here! This is not your usual cheap store (even though prices are!). Items look more expensive that what they are and the styling is well done, so they put together clothes and accesories that create a pleasant match to the eyes. I just love with the idea of getting something orange and have literally thousands of chunky junk to browse and enjoy. It is a tidy, clean, with good lightening store. Impossible not to find something you look for there, no way you won’t get that hat matching with that purse for that event. I am a fan.

It’s like Claires for grown women. This store is huge and full of fun, reasonably priced jewelry. GO GO GO!!!

I’m giggling as I contemplate this review. I’m from AZ, and Charming Charlies is a very well known store there. Here in the SD, not so much I guess. All you girls are missing out!!!
This place is so freaking cool. A color coded, sparkly mass of every kind of accessory you can imagine. And SUPER affordable prices!
Now, please know that if you’re used to wearing Louis Vuitton, or Gucci, this place is probably not for you. But if you want to have tons of fun accessories, like a purse/​headband/​socks/​bracelet/​earrings/​necklace/​shoes (you get my point) that won’t break the bank, then this is the place for you. It’s NOT cheezy dollar store type stuff, it’s good quality, fun accessories. You can find just about anything in here, from extremely formal/​fancy to everyday stuff.
It’s not hard at all to spend over an hour in here, just going from color to color. It’s kind of like a sparkly girls dream. And I can’t get enough!
Oh, and make sure to sign up for the email coupons!

Love, love, love this store. I try to see the same young lady that always helps me when I go in. She is very helpful. One of the managers of this store her name is Jamie. Never see her. She is rude and very unpleasant. Not a people person at all.

Didn’t know it at the time, but I was one of the first customers on their opening day. It’s a Wonderland of Sparkles — everything in that store sparkles! The staff is very personable and professional. It was a pleasure to keep walking and walking around the incredible array of products. A must-​see place!