We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stacey Naler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stacey below.

Stacey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

Fashion overall has trended towards more casual and relaxed the past decade, but that really escalated with COVID and clients working from home. It’s interesting the way people dress for professional events now versus ten years ago. I think this has been a gateway for the denim industry to really shine, because denim is acceptable in most situations now. There are so many incredible denim lines right now.

I also see more lines focused on sustainability and high quality materials. This allows people to invest in great pieces that last for years. It is the opposite of the buy and wear once mentality, which is such a waste in so many ways. When I’m working with clients, I always make sure their closets are stocked with high quality basics that will last like denim, sweaters, layering tees. Those foundational pieces are crucial to an effortless wardrobe.

Stacey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a wardrobe consultant and personal stylist. I go through client’s closets (in personal or virtually) and look through what needs to be edited out. Pieces I edit out are typically worn out or dated. Then I look at ways to style what the client already has and take flat lay photos of those outfits for easy to grab and go wear. I will also use these photos sometimes in digital lookbooks I create for my clients.

I design lookbooks for my clients for wardrobe essentials, event styling, traveling, seasonal updates, and photo sessions. These lookbooks have photos of pieces I think they should add into their wardrobe. I’ll put notes in the lookbook and style pieces together to make it easy to order whole outfits. Clients can shop through the links in the lookbook and have everything delivered directly to them.

I have clients I work with once just to stock up basics, and I have other clients I work with constantly for work events or travels. It completely depends on the client. Right now I am doing a ton of photo styling for family photography sessions. This has been so much fun to pull together looks to make families look cohesive in these photos they’ll treasure forever. I have a daughter that is two months old, so it’s been a blast for me to get more into children’s clothes and help families in that way.

I have two favorite moments in my business. One I love when clients branch out and try pieces I choose that they may have never tried before. That’s a huge win for me. I love a text about how great someone feels in something they wouldn’t have ever chosen. Sometimes it just takes an objective eye to pull the perfect wardrobe pieces for you.

Another moment I love is when clients tell me that getting dressed is easier, and they’re getting compliments on what they’ve been wearing. Compliments aren’t everything obviously, but it makes me happy to know I’ve helped empower people to feel great about what they wear. You shouldn’t dread getting dressed in the morning or always reach for the same yoga pants.

Clothes aren’t the most important thing. They’re just things, but I want people to feel confident to take on whatever their day throws at them… and let’s be honest, that’s easier when we like what we are wearing.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has been my current clients and social media. I work with some of the coolest people and am always so grateful when they connect me with friends or relatives. My first clients were people I already knew, and then it has grown from there. I work with business owners, financial planners, stay at home moms, real estate agents, retirees, all walks of life.

Truly just being kind to people is some of the best advertising. When you are nice and can really solve a client’s problems, then more clients come organically. Social media has been a big deal for growth connecting with new clients as well and getting my name out there. You can’t gain clients if they don’t know you exist.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I started working right out of high school in a local boutique. I worked there all through undergraduate and graduate school, and then I worked there again several years later in management. The relationships and knowledge I gained there helped build my reputation locally. I had someone a couple months ago tell me that she still wears jeans I fit her in ten years ago and loves them as much now as she did then.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.curatedwears.com
• Instagram: @curatedwears
• Facebook: curated wears
• Other: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/curatedwears

Image Credits
Claire Conkin Photography