There's a Western wear place right near here...in the same building as the really-good-shoe-store and a good craft store. Oh, and an office supplies place. And a bakery. It's a fairly scary building.
I haven't yet gone into the clothing place, mostly 'cause I'm scared I'll get the cold shoulder for being an Easterner. Heh. And because it looks expensive.
You know, I know so few chains, I dunno even where to start if I'm really going to look for a dress. Never heard of Chico's. And actually, I've never been to a Talbot's or a Coldwater Creek - I just used to drool over Coldwater's catalog when I was overseas, and when they had, as you said, a slightly more southwestern kinda look.
We don't have any of 'em at home. I'd like to find out if there's actually a good consignment place around, too.
Talbots is a bit stuffy for me, *but* you can get good interview suits there.
Keep an eye out for "The Buffalo Exchange" - it's a higher-end consignment shop chain that tends to have stores in college towns.