Though clothing stores line the streets of State College, only one can say it began Penn State's legacy of fashion.

Mr. Charles, 228 E. College Ave., has been a supplier of high-end brands in State College since 1940 while also maintaining family ownership since its opening more than half a century ago.

Store owner Charlene Rosen said her parents originally opened Mr. Charles on Allen Street as a men's store. With World War II, however, a large majority of State College's men went to fight, forcing Rosen's father to recreate the franchise into a women's store.

"We get people all the time who come back and tell us the stories of the suits or the prom dresses they bought here 50 years ago and how much they liked them," Rosen said.

Though the store has been around for more than 50 years, Mr. Charles has not changed much since Rosen's parent's day, she said.

"The only thing that has changed are the fashions," she said. "You constantly have to change to stay with the times."

Keeping up with the latest trends is something Rosen has mastered.

"If you go into SoHo or Manhattan, you will find the same styles there that you would in Mr. Charles," store manager Veronica Burk said.

Rosen supplies these trends to the store by living and buying in New York, and frequently going to fashion shows.

"If something is hot, I buy it and give the customers that newness every season," Rosen said.

Though Rosen always sees what fashions are being worn around the city, she doesn't buy anything that would not translate to the State College setting.

"Whatever we buy, it cannot be extreme," she said. "It has to be wearable." Burk said Mr. Charles is a supplier of an eclectic mix of clothing, including pieces from brands such as Rebecca Taylor, Ella Moss, American Vintage, Velvet and Vince.

"You can be dressed from head to toe under one roof," she said.

These designer brands will always be in demand, but they cannot usually be found at prices affordable for students. This is why Rosen always tries to pair the high-end retail found at Mr. Charles with pieces that are similar, but more affordable.

"Since I see all of the expensive merchandise, if I find something similar at an amazing price, I buy it," Rosen said.

Burk said the store carries pieces at a range of prices, and shoppers can find similar items that differ only in fabric, fit and price.

"We try to bring couture at a student price so they can afford it," she said.

Though Mr. Charles is rooted in State College, Rosen is also doing her part to expand its fan base. The store has been featured in Lucky Magazine four times, including the new September issue, as well as publications such as Marie Claire, DailyCandy, and Real Simple. This exposure flooded the store with orders from all over the country.

"It's fun when the magazines find you and they like your style," Rosen said.

Rosen also displays Mr. Charles couture in trunk shows in New York, where the store has also generated a huge fan base.

"People like what we have," Rosen said. "It's not always the high-end designer look, but it is always sophisticated and tasteful."

The tradition of fashion excellence Mr. Charles has created here at Penn State has withstood the test of time.

"The biggest compliment is that people keep coming back," Rosen said.