While the college coeds and town residents can be inspiration for what Iowa City stores keep on the shelves, there are other sources as well.

Media and fashion shows undoubtedly play a role in what buyers decide to stock in their boutiques, as do the famous starlets whose personal style has made them into icons - the Olsen twins and Nicole Richie spring to mind.

We talked to the staffers at Hebe, Dulcinea and Velvet Coat for the scoop on how they make sure their stores are on top of the current trends in fashion.

Dulcinea>>>

Hebe>>>

Velvet Coat>>>

Other boutiques in Iowa City also have unique lines available - for example, Shop 105 carries dozens of makeup and beauty lines that aren't found anywhere else in Iowa. Click here for a slideshow of photos of several Iowa City boutiques.

While inspiration may come from many sources, the face of fashion seems to change with every minute! We discovered tips on the best fall trends, ranging from the ubiquity of layering to an insistence on skinny jeans. Find out more here>>>