Marietta native Laura Clotfelter knows firsthand that following your passion can translate into a successful, and fulfilling, career.
Clotfelter is the founder of Laura C Styles, a style consulting business specializing in closet organization and personal shopping. She works with a range of people and budgets, but the process typically begins with some serious closet therapy.
“It’s easier to start in someone’s closet be-cause you just can’t shop for someone until you get to know them and their style,” she said.
Once a closet is organized, complete with color coding and uniform hangers (which she said makes a big difference), Clotfelter makes a list of key pieces to fill in the gaps, but that doesn’t necessarily mean buying a whole new wardrobe at once.
“Fashion is fun, and it can be easy,” she said. “You can get out of that, ‘I have nothing to wear’ rut. I can go into anyone’s closet and find outfits from what they have.”
From young professionals to retirees, Clotfelter can help anyone ready to update their style or get out of that dreaded fashion rut.
“People are sometimes embarrassed when I first meet them and say, ‘I don’t have anything’ or ‘You’re not going to like anything I have,’” she said. “So, it makes me feel good when I can pull things out of their closets that are great pieces. I’m there to push the envelope a little bit because people get stuck in their uniforms.”
Clotfelter can either take her list of missing pieces and shop for her clients or turn over the list and let clients shop on their own, but she always recommends sticking to the list despite the siren song of appealing alternative options.
“Building a wardrobe doesn’t happen overnight, especially when you need to invest in some key pieces,” she said. “You don’t have to buy the list all at once but don’t linger on other things. People will buy an expensive top that doesn’t go with anything in their closet. I often go shopping with these people, and they end up spending less.”
So what are some key pieces everyone should have in their closet? According to Clotfelter, staples include a well-tailored black blazer, an eye-catching leather piece and a great fitting pair of dark skinny jeans. “These are simple basics,” she said. “You can get them anywhere, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money on them.”
Clotfelter, who lives with her husband, John, near the Marietta Square, was a merchandising major at Old Miss, and she has worked for Vera Wang and Kate Spade in New York City and Neiman Marcus in Atlanta. Now, she’s bringing her well-honed eye for fashion back home to Marietta.
“My first job was in retail,” she said. “My passion has always been working with people and being around fashion, so I started Laura C Styles.”
For more about Clotfelter, or to book an appointment with Laura C Styles, visit her web site at www.lauracstyles.com.