The morning I slip into a fabulous outfit it’s because of the odd, highly-efficient night before when I have selected it in advance. Getting dressed is usually, for me, about a 20-30 minute contemplative process. I think about the weather outside. Can I lift boxes in said outfit and still be presentable when the press arrives? I am joking about the press, but these things pass thru my mind as I am planning what to wear. There is the informal comfort rating I’ve assigned to each item in my closet. On a scale of 1 to10, the outfit must average an 8 on comfort. Any higher and I would be wearing an article or two from my pajama wardrobe. Lastly, I try it on for a visual. If it doesn’t work, then I start all over. This may seem unbelievable coming from the owner of a boutique full of clothing, but it’s honest. Like my customers, I don’t wave a magic fashion wand. I make my choices carefully. With this being the first official blog entry in my company’s collaborative blog, I want to set the tone as honest. I have worked in the fashion industry for almost 20 years always aware that most of what the industry proudly portrays is not honest.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always desired so much more from fashion besides looking good. I believe that where there is style, there should also be substance. Since opening the storefront three years ago, I am consistently delighted by the treasure trove of great art in fashion. We get to know the inspirations of the designers we carry and share their stories with our visitors. In the last couple of years many environmentally and socially responsible designers have entered the market with great style that they appropriately balance with compassionate missions to tread lightly on the environment and give back to society.

With the shopsubstanceblog, I look forward to sharing some of those seldom heard back stories as well as our inspirations for what we create in our design studio in the store. My hope is that we offer a perspective that skips the herd mentality of trend watching, and celebrity adulation and instead appreciates the true art and inspiration of meaningful individual style.

Now, back to my morning closet stare down. I’ve seen a few closets and I know I have a much more pared down wardrobe than many of my friends and family that don’t work in the industry. So the challenge is real and somewhat self-imposed. Even though I love everything in the store, I practice discipline and don’t bring one of each home for myself. So, while getting dressed in something a little different each day can be an exercise, it’s work I love. It’s sort of like the sense of accomplishment you might get from completing a jigsaw puzzle in 3D. Here’s the best part, when I do finally arrive at work in the store, I get to do it again and again and again with each visitor that enters the fitting room and asks for my suggestions. The feedback I get is that they appreciate my honesty.

- Christina