We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rachelle Haering a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachelle, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

When I opened my shop, I literally had too many jackets and started selling from my own collection, and that’s how I came up with the name. But I also believe, you can never have too many jackets! I think that’s true with vintage, that you can never have too much. The more we shop sustainably, the less waste we are creating.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Makeup Artist by profession, but have always loved vintage and thrift shopping. About eight years ago I started sourcing vintage Levi’s for friends, which eventually led to me selling other vintage pieces. I officially opened my shop, Too Many Jackets, three years ago during the pandemic, when I wasn’t able to work any makeup jobs. I started selling from my own collection, but when I began shopping for the store, instead of for myself, is when it really took off. I am really drawn to color and pattern and maximalist pieces that have something to say, so my shop is definitely based on that aesthetic. Each of the pieces that I source has something special about it. Whether it’s incredible gold buttons, or a gorgeous print, each one will have something that makes it stand out.
My favorite thing to do is help people find those special pieces and realize that you don’t have to shop fast fashion to have an incredibly special wardrobe. Vintage lets you tell your own tale and stand out from everything else that’s out there.
I’m so proud when clients go through my racks and find pieces that they usually wouldn’t try on, or put together looks that they think won’t work on them, and then falling in love with them.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have been a Makeup Artist in film and television for 14 years, but when the pandemic hit, the industry shut down and I couldn’t work any longer. We didn’t know when the industry would open back up, so for many of us, we had to find other avenues to bring income in. That’s when I really started selling vintage. I’ve always loved vintage and had many pieces in my own collection, so I started selling what I already had. When it started picking up, I started shopping specifically for the shop and not myself. I felt so inspired by this new world, that I had loved for myself for so long, but was now looking at it with new eyes. I was energized and revitalized and realized how inspired this new path was making me. I truly believe that when one door closes, another one will open. Don’t be afraid to follow other passions when one isn’t working out, because it’s never too late!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I always look back to the first reel I made as an indicator of how far I’ve come. You’ve always got to start somewhere, and it will probably be shitty, but you keep going, and it will get better. If you learn and watch others and put in the work to make it better and it will get better.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.toomanyjackets.shop
• Instagram: @too.many.jackets
• Other: Tik Tok: @too.many.jackets